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 C30

    C30

    £14,075 - £23,825

    Fans of The Saint will recall that Volvo has some previous form in the area of impractical but cool small cars. Here’s another. Looks great, carries nowt.

     

  • Volvo C70

    C70

    £28,575 - £37,070

    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 cabrio.

  • Volvo S40

    S40

    £16,130 - £26,555

    It’s a small saloon, 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

    £21,735 - £36,255

    Another safe and sensible (read dull) saloon from the team at Volvo. Not very interesting, to say the least. 

  • Volvo S80

    S80

    £24,640 - £39,490

    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

    £18,575 - £27,680

    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 V60

    V60

    £22,890 - £37,430

    The V60 is a sensible, safe Volvo, just as you'd expect. But this geography teachers' favourite tries to turn into sporty. And fails.

  • Volvo V70

    V70

    £25,390 - £38,690

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

  • Volvo XC60

    XC60

    £27,450 - £39,865

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

  • Volvo XC70

    XC70

    £27,525 - £39,990

    A crossover with its wires crossed. Surprisingly good off-road (where it never goes) and surprisingly bad on tarmac. Horrible outside, beautiful within. Go figure.

  • Volvo XC90

    XC90

    £33,840 - £43,464

    Brilliant mix of SUV and MPV, a seven-seater that looks cool and offers terrific utility inside. Maybe all Volvos were, in some subliminal way, leading to this. A winner.