by Back by popular demand, or so it says, Volvo is bringing back its estate cars after announcing in August 2023 that it would no longer produce its V60 and V90. We delve into its estate from years gone by to pick our six best cars that have closely associated the Swedish marque with cavernous transporters.
Grandfather of all: The Duett
Volvo was early in the estate car market, although not a pioneer. The first Volvo estates were built by independent coach firms using the PV444 as a base. Seeing the potential for a regular car that combined the dual roles of lugging loads with comfortable family transportation, Volvo came up with the PV445-based Duett in 1953.
The Duett was a two-door but rather than the rear of the usual Volkswagen Beetle-like PV445, it had a square roof and access to the huge boot via two hinged side doors. Large families could specify up to seven seats and for even greater practicality, the rear floor was varnished wood to facilitate sliding in and out boxes.
Although the styling was old-fashioned even at the time, the Volvo earned a reputation for being well-built, durable and comfortable. Production continued until 1969 and by then it was positively prehistoric.
Top trivia
The Duett was immortalized in 1997 when it was given its own postage stamp in Sweden.
Safety first: The Amazon
Capitalizing on the success of the Duett which was one of the first Volvos sold in the United States, the Amazon was launched at the 1959 New York Motor Show. The estate version followed three years later.
This was much more modern than the concurrent Duett. Originally it had rear doors and a two-piece tailgate hinged at the top and bottom rather than the sides. The Amazon was also the first production model to have front seat belts as standard.
The only catch was that the car couldn’t be officially called Amazon. That name was already registered by a German motorcycle firm for worldwide use so Volvo was unable to deploy it outside of Sweden, prompting it to introduce its three-digit naming strategy. The Amazon came on the 220 series in estate form.
Top trivia
The Volvo 220 was the first foreign car used by the UK police. In 1965, Hampshire Constabulary ran a white model 1800 after the Swedish motor took out victories with the Citroen DS19 Safari and the Estate Humber Super Snipe.
The trend: The 140 series
Launched in late 1968 on the estate 145 Volvo 140 range featured the barring, near-vertical wire gate that would become an iconic automotive shape for the next four decades.
Although perceived as modern and austere when it was launched, the 145 featured a number of advances that helped cement Volvo as a super-safe car maker. The front and rear disc brakes had a three-way split on the braking circuit so if one failed, braking would continue to the other three wheels. And there was an early form of ABS anti-lock braking.
Later, the 140 series would be fitted with head restraints, retractable ‘inertia reel’ seat belts and seat belt reminders as standard restraints.
Production ended in 1974 when the 140 series became Volvo’s first million-plus seller. But it wasn’t over yet. Its successor, the 240 series (the 245 and 265 estates) shared many of the features of the 140 series, including its body shell and therefore boxy appearance. This continued in production until 1993.
Top Trivia
The 140 series introduced Volvo’s naming strategy where the first number was the series number, the second number the number of engine cylinders and the third number the number of doors.
The last of the classics: The 940 and 960 models
The Volvo 940 and 960 models were the last of what many consider classic Volvo estates. Launched in 1990, they were strongly based on the philosophy of the outgoing 740 series. But greater comfort and more interior space ensured that the Volvo estate would still be a hit with antiques dealers, dog owners and families with many things around the world.
The last of the rear-wheel drive Volvo estates, the 940 achieved almost legendary status for its practicality and versatility.
Main stories: The 940 series was relaunched as the S90 and V90 (S for saloon, V for versatility, if you wondered). The only change to the car was an improved air conditioning system.
The first Volvo estate you really wanted: the 850 Estate
Confusingly, around the same time as the 940 series in the early 1990s, Volvo brought out their 850 model. For all intents and purposes this looked like its sibling but it was front wheel drive, had a five-cylinder engine and integrated SIPS side protection. Then Volvo turned up the desirability dial to 11 with the 850 T5-R.
A sweet-sounding exhaust note, understated looks with five-spoke alloy wheels and side skirts made the T5-R an instant hit in saloon and estate form. Then Volvo moved the dial again: it became the first mainstream car maker to race an estate.
Entering the British Touring Car Championship in 1994, the Estate 850 might not have won a race (their best finish was fifth) but it certainly won the PR battle. Suddenly people wanted rather than just wanted a Volvo estate. When the limited edition T5-Rs were finished, Volvo launched the equally racier 850R for 1996.
Top Trivia
Porsche helped tune the T5-R engine, the transmission and other components such as the inserts for the sports seats.
The latest version of a classic: The V90
For 2016, Volvo launched its new V90, saying goodbye to nearly five decades of estate boxing. Instead of a straight and side tailgate, the new model had curves. And that meant a much smaller boot than its predecessors.
However, what it lacked compared to its premium German rivals, the V90 comfortably made up for: Volvo’s ‘Relaxed Confidence’ approach eschews the firm ride and sporty drive of rival models.
Top Trivia
The latest V90 starter has only about three-quarters the capacity of the 940 model it replaced.
