Volvo is a luxury car manufacturer that has been making safe and practical cars since its inception. In their 90-year history, they have certainly gained many loyal customers. With the introduction of the PV654 in 1933, they dove into the luxury car market. Since then, Volvo has been making some pretty great luxury vehicles.
Volvo’s history and path towards luxury
Volvo started their brand to ensure the safety of their customers and their cars have become the trademark name for safety features. However, originally their vehicles weren’t considered top-of-the-line they luxury vehicles like they are today.
Started in 1923, the Swedish company had the goal of providing safety to their loyal customers. The Volvo PV654 was somewhat of a luxury vehicle at that time. It had several features like a plush interior, twin spare tires, and a reversing light at that time. With a 3.67-liter engine, the car produced a whopping 80 to 84 hp with its 6-cylinders.
The PV654 was followed by the PV36 “Carioca” in 1935. It had an advanced aerodynamic body and featured exceptionally good front suspensions for that time. The 6-seater Carioca had a 3.6 liter 6-cylinder engine and a maximum speed of 75 mph.
There was a brief pause in Volvo advancement during World War II; however, they returned with the Volvo PV60 in 1946. The car was an absolutely solid piece of metal. Its sturdy build also gave a comfortable ride for passengers and it was so solid that almost 500 of these cars were made into light trucks or delivery vans.
Fast-forward to 1982, when Volvo introduced the 760 GLE. They were boxy, but the 760 wagons became very popular with drivers. These cars are still in use by some people love driving older cars.
In 1990, the 760 was replaced with the 960. It was Volvo’s first 3.0-liter car. The 760 models were launched with more of a higher-end customer in mind. They also introduced the athletic 850, which targeted more youthful drivers. The 850 had more of a sporty look. In 1998, Volvo replaced the 960 with the S90. They have used the S90 moniker twice in their history.
Volvo introduced the S80 to replace the S90 in 1999. It was a very successful car from Volvo. They even launched second-generationS80s in 2006. They were eventually discontinued in 2016 and replaced by the S90, which is now Volvo’s flagship luxury car. Volvo also introduced the XC90 in 2002, which was a great luxury SUV.
Volvo’s luxury cars today
Volvo has certainly made its mark in the safety category, but they are also good at making luxury vehicles. They have a minimalistic style to their interiors and the exteriors are sporty looking. They have been ranked in U.S. News’ luxury cars brand list multiple times. Volvo has a small lineup of 2 sedans, 2 wagons, and 3 SUVs.
Volvo has many features that make it a luxury brand. If we talk about the performance, then they have one of the best engines present in the market. If we consider safety features, then Volvo has certainly made its mark in the safety category. In terms of interior and other technology, they excel in these fields too.
Specifications
All of Volvo’s cars come with good engines. Almost all Volvo cars use four-cylinder turbocharged engines. Some models also have twin-charged engines. All of their electric motors today have been very successful. Every current model comes with an all-wheel-drive option. Due to their good engines and hybrid technology, Volvo gives exceptionally good fuel economy.
Body
All of Volvo’s cars come with a similar front. The overall exterior looks elegant and luxurious, and the body presents a sporty look for their cars. The car’s inner body is safe and reliable, due to 5 kinds of different steel strengths and aluminum used for making the body of the car. This helps ensures the trademark feature of Volvo: being the safest car ever.
Interior
Volvo interiors are designed for maximum comfort for both the driver and passengers. All the cars’ front seats have luxurious features like massage, heated seats, ventilated leather, and power adjustment. Volvo also gives the option of cooling seats to its customers. The overall ambiance of the interior gives a luxurious feel with the addition of a great front display and sound system.
Safety features
Of course, all Volvos come with top-notch safety features. Volvo ensures that car safety through their own crash safety lab where they test cars every day. Their cars include some of their own safety feature inventions, as well as other standard safety features.
The future of Volvo
Volvo has certainly made a name for itself as a luxury car brand. Volvo’s ambitions include their electrification plans. Volvo’s electric cars also definitely fall into the luxury car segment. The features of the XC40, their first fully-electric car, are absolutely impressive. The Volvo C40, which is set to launch in 2022 has all the luxurious features of modern times.
FAQ about Volvo and luxury cars
What are luxury cars?
Luxury cars are famous for their impressive driving experience and elegant looks. An average luxury car usually comes with great ride performance, many capabilities, lavish interiors, excellent safety features, and modern technology. Examples of luxury features include:
- Automated safety features
- Water-resistant windows
- Heated steering wheels
- Integrated seat massagers
- State-of-the-art entertainment systems
What are other luxury car brands?
Luxury cars are mainly dependent on their users. Some people may consider certain cars to be the epitome of luxury, while others think they’re just standard. It’s in the eye of the beholder. However, when looking at typical luxury features, some luxury car brands are:
- Rolls Royce
- Porsche
- Genesis
- BMW
- Tesla
- Audi
- Mercedes
- Volvo
- Jaguar
What are the most luxurious vehicles?
Luxury cars are normally more expensive than other cars. They are expensive due to several reasons like extra safety and interior features with the best-performing engines. Some of the most expensive luxury vehicles include:
- Rolls-Royce Phantom – $457,750
- Rolls-Royce Dawn – $359,250
- Rolls-Royce Wraith – $343,350
- Bentley Flying Spur – $219,425
- Range Rover SV Autobiography – $200,945
