Volvo

Volvo

Its reputation was built on safety above style, as personified by breezeblock areodynamics and happy-in-their-work crash-test dummies. But in an age of diver’s watches and mountaineer’s boots, Volvo has carved a new place for itself based on good-looking, kick-proof solidity. Call it premium chunkiness.

  • Volvo C70

    C70

    $69,950 - $79,950

    If you want to look dishevelled and freezing cold, muss up your hair and sit in a freezer for bit. Makes more sense than buying a four-seater, hard-topped convertible.

  • Volvo S40

    S40

    $39,950 - $54,950

    It’s a small sedan, OK? Anyway, here’s a good one: if you want to cut up your carrots very small, don’t ask the Grim Reaper for help – that’s just dicing with death! Geddit?

  • Volvo S60

    S60

    $49,950 - $59,950

    Volvo makes some of the world’s greatest wagons, and you want a sedan? It’s got four doors and a big boot, but at your age you might forget what it looks like. 

  • Volvo S80

    S80

    $71,950 - $95,950

    Very impressive big saloon, but doomed to fall between the premium Germans and madcap choices like the Citroen C6. People might assume you are a Volvo executive.

  • Volvo V50

    V50

    $42,950 - $57,950

    A compact estate? Sounds like an estate agent trying to flog a flat to someone who’s looking for a Scottish castle. A decent car, but also available as a Ford Focus.

  • Volvo V70

    V70

    $67,950

    The purest incarnation of the brand – a superbly designed and built practical wagon, the desire for which is probably a secret guilty pleasure of anyone over 45. 

  • Volvo XC60

    XC60

    $24,005 - $33,560

    Volvo goes niche with its first mini-SUV, accompanied by the usual marketing fluff. Looks good, and is full of Swedish health and safety