Volvo Cars
Euro · 19 models
Safety, wagons, and the 240 brick. The Polestar performance arm now competes with AMG and M, and the cars genuinely keep up.
EuroVolvo built its modern reputation on safety and station wagons. The 240 wagon (1974-1993) is one of the most enduringly popular practical cars ever made. The 850 R wagon (1995-1996) was the rare Volvo that combined the wagon practicality with sport sedan performance. The brand reputation for safety led innovations like the three-point seatbelt (introduced in 1959 and given away as a free patent) and the side impact protection system. The performance side of Volvo grew significantly with the Polestar acquisition in 2015. Polestar started as Volvo factory racing partner and tuning house, and Volvo bought it specifically to build a performance sub-brand. The Polestar 1 hybrid coupe and Polestar 2 EV launched the standalone Polestar brand; Volvo-badged Polestar Engineered models (S60 Polestar, V60 Polestar) continue the pattern of high-performance wagons and sedans for the niche market that wants them. The XC line of crossovers is the volume seller in the modern lineup. The XC60 and XC90 dominate Volvo sales globally. The XC40 Recharge and the new EX30 represent the brand transition to electric vehicles, with Volvo committing to a fully electric lineup by 2030. Outside the volume crossovers, the brand still produces sedans and wagons (S60, V60, V90 in some markets, S90 in the Chinese market). The wagon heritage continues even as the broader market has shifted toward SUVs. On WhipJury, Volvo submissions are heavy on 240 and 850 wagons (especially with B230FT or T5 turbo swaps), 740 Turbo and 940 Turbo bricks, the occasional Polestar Engineered S60 or V60, and modern XC90 builds.
Top Volvo cars on WhipJury
Volvo models we cover
The brick era
Volvo 240, 740, 940, and 960 sedans and wagons of the 1970s through 1990s are collectively known as bricks for their boxy upright design. The 240 is the most beloved: simple mechanical layout, durable redblock B230 engine, abundant aftermarket support, and a cult following among DIY enthusiasts. The 240 Turbo (especially the rare flathead R-Sport) is the performance brick. Modern owners regularly swap turbocharged Volvo or even Toyota 2JZ engines into 240 wagons for fast-and-practical builds.
The 850 and modern wagon era
The 850 R Wagon of 1995-1996 was the first proper modern Volvo performance wagon. T5 turbocharged five-cylinder, manual transmission optional, and a chassis that famously raced in the British Touring Car Championship. The 850 won races against BMW 318is at Brands Hatch and other British circuits, becoming the most successful Volvo touring car of all time. Subsequent V70 R, V60 R, and V60 Polestar Engineered wagons continued the line.
Volvo on WhipJury
240 wagon submissions are common, especially with engine swaps. 740 and 940 Turbo bricks have a small but devoted following. Polestar Engineered S60 and V60 submissions are rare but generally well-received. The community here treats Volvo as the practical-but-cool option in the broader European segment.
