Volvo
Swedish firm Volvo has a reputation for safety, and its latest models are no exception, the XC60 and S60 get high tech systems which slow the car automatically if they detect an obstruction.
Volvo C30
The Volvo C30 focuses as more on style than practicality. It's a three-door, four-seater hatchback that aims to attract younger buyers into Volvo showrooms. It shares many parts with the Ford Focus, but as the C30 places greater emphasis on comfort, it's not as good as the Ford to drive. DRIVe versions offers superb fuel efficiency and tax-free motoring. Well built, decently priced and specified, the C30 is a good-looking alternative to more obvious premium hatchbacks like the Audi A3 or BMW 1 Series.
Volvo C70
Volvo's C70 coupé-convertible certainly boasts plenty of style, particularly since it was revised for 2010 with a sharper front end. Its electric folding hard top means it offers better all-weather refinement than most soft-top convertibles, but it's quite dull to drive. This is partly due to the fact that the C70 is heavy, and although it comes with Volvo's largest petrol and diesel engines, it can’t match rivals like the BMW 3-Series Convertible or Audi A5 Cabriolet for prestige or driver appeal.
Volvo S40
The Volvo S40 looks as fresh now inside and out as it did at its 2004 debut, thanks to some cutting-edge, yet tasteful, design. Most notable is the classy centre console, which has simple, intuitive stereo and heating controls. There are seven engines to choose from, including an eco-friendly DRIVe model which returns over 70mpg, right up to a powerful T5 turbo petrol. The S40 isn’t exciting to drive, but feels very classy and offers excellent comfort and space inside, although the boot is a little shallow.
Volvo S60
Volvo wants its S60 to be seen to offer a stylish, sporty alternative to rivals from Audi, Mercedes-Benz and BMW, and it's not too far off. It's a good-looking car on the outside, while the interior oozes the simple, neat Swedish style that defines Volvo's cabins. It's more comfortable than sporty though, even if it does drive better than any Volvo before it. Good pricing and equipment work in its favour, too.
Volvo S80
The S80 is more like Volvo's older cars. Instead of the sporty look of the new S60, the S80 is built for comfort, and makes for a big and relaxing, but rather unexciting, executive saloon. The S80 is similar to the BMW 5-Series in size, but is priced in line with top-spec Ford Mondeos, so you get a lot of car for your money. It's well made too, and features a large line-up of quiet engines; from the economical DRIVe model all the way up to a V8 petrol luxury model.
Volvo V40
Volvo announced the arrival of the all-new V40 hatchback at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. The striking new model will compete against the Lexus CT 200h and the BMW 1 Series in the premium hatchback segment. It will be offered with a range of engines - highlights include a diesel that produces emissions of 94g/km and a petrol that is capable of 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds, called the T5. All engine options will come with stop/start brake energy regeneration as standard. The V40 will also feature the world's first pedestrian airbag.
Volvo V50
The Volvo V50 looks as fresh now inside and out as it did at its 2004 debut, thanks to its design. Most notable is the classy centre console, which has simple, intuitive stereo and heating controls. There are seven engines to choose from, including an eco-friendly DRIVe model which returns over 70mpg, right up to a powerful T5 turbo petrol. The V50 isn’t very exciting to drive, but feels luxurious and offers excellent comfort and space inside.
Volvo V60
The Volvo V60 is based on the S60 executive saloon, so it looks stylish inside and out, with the addition of a versatile boot. However, while past Volvo estates have made a name for themselves with their cavernous load areas, the V60's boot is actually smaller than you'll find in most rivals. As with the saloon, the V60 is comfortable, well equipped and is competitively priced.
Volvo V70
The V70 proves that Volvo knows a thing or two about building really good estate cars that work in the real world. The V70 doesn’t feature the biggest boot in the class, but it's still enormous and capable of swallowing virtually anything you throw at it. What's more, the V70 is superbly comfortable to drive, particularly on the motorway, and the DRIVe version offers fuel bills similar to a small hatchback's.
Volvo XC60
The Volvo XC60 offers a pleasing mixture of off-road and estate car styling, which looks less aggressive than rivals like the Land Rover Freelander and BMW X3. The interior looks great, too, and offers a high driving position, comfortable seats and great visibility, plus lots of space for passengers and luggage. The XC60 drives more like a car than a 4x4, and while there are high-powered diesel engines, the frugal DRIVe version, which has front-wheel drive, returns an impressive 47.9mpg. All cars get City Safety, which is designed to help avoid collisions with pedestrians and other traffic at low speeds.
Volvo XC70
The XC70 is based on Volvo's proven V70, which means it doesn’t feature the biggest boot, but it's still enormous and capable of swallowing virtually anything you throw at it. What's more, the XC70 is superbly comfortable to drive, particularly on the motorway. The XC70 features jacked-up suspension, four-wheel drive and a rugged bodykit, and is a match for the Audi A6 Allroad when taken off the beaten track.
Volvo XC90
The XC90 was Volvo's first off-roader, and proved the firm's clever ability to build cars that are relevant to real-world drivers. Key to this is the fact that XC90 comes well equipped and features seven decent-sized seats as standard, making it great for active families. It doesn’t handle as well as rivals like the BMW X5, but the XC90 is extremely comfortable on long journeys and offers good visibility. The XC90 tops this off with solid build quality and a powerful D5 diesel engine.
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