Within its tastefully familiar--and nicely finished--exterior, the 960 shelters an
interior that's as warm, gracious and comfortable as an upscale Scandinavian home.
It's truly easy to enter this luxury cabin, where you'd find a squarish dashboard
inlaid with rich walnut panels, a thoughtful control layout and good driver sightlines
all around.
The nicely-contoured seats--always a strong point with Volvos--have tailored leather
surfaces, and the steering wheel is also leather-wrapped. Other standard
comfort/convenience features include automatic climate control, power everything, a
premium AM/FM/CD/cassette sound system, power front seats with 8-way adjustability and
a memory feature, cruise control and--yes!--cupholders.
Safety features? Of course. This is a Volvo. In addition to the front and side
airbags, the 960's seatbelts feature adjustable upper anchors with lockable inertia
reels, an integrated child safety seat--standard on the wagon, optional on the
sedan--and child safety rear door locks.
Although this is a thoroughly equipped vehicle as is, there are five different
option packages available, ranging from $395 to $1485. You can also delete the leather
upholstery and walnut trim if you choose. Our test vehicle had everything you can add
to a 960. We particularly appreciated the $485 Cold Weather Package, which includes
heated front seats and an outside temperature gauge.
We found our 960 wagon to be a refined, well-mannered car with a strong body
structure. (Even though it's a rear-drive layout, it was a real confidence-builder,
dry roads or slick, city or highway, an impression that was enhanced by the standard
limited slip rear differential.) Its antilock brakes worked well, the power rack and
pinion steering system is precise--with good road feel--and the new rear suspension adds
an element of handling precision that verges on sporty.
A favorite of our test drivers was the three driving modes programmed into the
automatic transmission controls, selectable via a console-mounted switch. The Winter
mode locks out first and second gear, to minimize wheelspin on slick stuff. Economy
dictates earlier upshifts, to keep engine rpm down for better fuel economy. And the
Sport model holds upshift points longer, keeping the engine at higher rpm for better
acceleration.
Ride quality is just this side of sumptuous, with the confidence-inspiring feel of
European suspension tuning. Like other European manufacturers, Volvo builds to
wide-open German Autobahn standards, which places the highest possible premium on
responsive handling and superior braking.
Wagon or sedan, the 960 has both. Although we tend to think of Volvos in terms of
their outstanding crashworthiness, they're also thoroughly competent in terms of these
active safety features as well. The 960 may not have the inherent athleticism of, say,
a BMW 5-Series sedan or wagon, but there's agility to go with its comfortable ride
nonetheless.
We were also impressed with how quietly the 960 goes about its business. The
aerodynamic improvements entailed in the '95 redesign have quelled wind noise, and the
smooth inline 6-cylinder engine is a model of civilized deportment. Its power isn't
the kind that will pin you against the seatbacks, but there's enough to feel confident
in all passing situations and it's utterly devoid of vibration.