Volvo cars are known for their safety, which isn’t surprising, as the automaker helped revolutionize safety standards when it invented the three-point seat belt. With that said, many can attest that safety isn’t the only thing Volvo cars have going for them.
Take the Volvo 200 series (or 240/260 series), one of the most popular and impressive series in the history of the industry. From 1974 to 1993, the 200 series had a cult following, producing nearly three million coupes, sedans, wagons, and special editions in 19 years.
More than the aforementioned safety, the 200 series models were reliable, powerful, and economical, making them a practical choice for drivers. With 19 years of production, it begs the question: What are the top Volvo 240s in history?
It’s hard to discuss any Volvo cars without mentioning their innovative safety features. The same thing rings true for the Volvo 240, as it became the standard car for safety developments by authorities in the USA thanks to its rigorous safety requirements.
It performed remarkably on the streets. This is, in large part, thanks to Volvo introducing the first 6-cylinder diesel engine in a passenger car back in 1978. A few years later, Volvo developed turbocharged versions of the 4-cylinder engine found in the 240 Turbo, further boosting its performance.
Car owners today still rave about their 240 Turbo, mentioning how reliable and drivable it is even after thousands of miles under its belt.
The Volvo 242 GT is often overlooked compared to the other entries in the 200 series. It’s hard to pinpoint the exact reason for its lack of popularity. It could be due to the shorter manufacturing years, as the 242 GT was only available globally from 1978 to 1979, with an extended run in 1980 for North America.
Regardless, the 242 GT offered adequate power. Its initial engine was a 2.1-liter inline-four, managing 123 horsepower. It got a respectable upgrade with the new 2.3-liter engine that produced 140 hp, helping the model develop hype on the market.
242 GTs bound for the United States were aesthetically different from those headed to Canada, as the latter had red and black tape stripes. Inside, GTs had a black corduroy interior with a vertical red stripe across the seats.
In 1982, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) deemed the Volvo 244 the safest car assessed. In fact, the 244 became the standard for future safety work by the NHTSA in the USA.
Back then, the model offered far better protection for the driver and the passengers compared to other vehicles of the same size. The car’s safety properties and driving characteristics became its calling card, attracting attention worldwide.
Besides the safety features, the 244 is also quite reliable, even compared to modern-day standards. It’s not uncommon to see it on the road even after decades since the last manufactured model. Some 240s even managed to make it past 300,000 miles, a testament to durability.
Lastly, the Volvo 244 is comfortable thanks to its spacious interior, comfortable seating, and overall good ride quality.
The Volvo 245 took the mantle from its predecessor as the standard for safety on the road, thanks to Volvo developing the model with rigorous safety requirements. It also became the standard when it came to performance, as its turbocharged version became one of the world’s fastest cars at the time.
Even today, the 245 is considered a reliable vehicle. Some owners have stated how the model starts and drives smoothly. The car is also cheap to maintain, as parts are abundant and reasonably priced. Of course, you’ll need to have some DIY knowledge to avoid any costly repairs, as taking your old Volvo 245 to an auto shop can be quite expensive.
Overall, you can expect reliability, safety, and performance if you’re driving a Volvo 245 Turbo.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
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Although I worked for a living i used to buy and sell 4 cylinder rear drive Volvo cars as a side line. Would usually have six of them per year.. Having lost track of them at 100 or so cars. Never had a 240turbo but had many 7 and 9 series turbos, even had three 780 Bertone turbo coupes.. Those being the Italian assembled coupes capable of 188 hp with the turbo+ red block engines. my first year buying volvos I also had three of the 164s that had the overhead valve straight six motors... loved any of the three series of them in wagon form, so utilitarian.. Like an enclosed pickup truck.. Loved my time with them.. Presently carried away with BMW cars, on my 28th or so number of them.. Love the e30s, e36s, e34s and e39s.. More tales for another day. I'm 73 now and thanking God I'm still able to enjoy my hobby/passion.. Oh yeah have to add, the first Volvo I'd driven was an 1800 sport convertble that my cousin had bought new at volvovillle dealership in long Island. These were not mass produced. They came into the country as hardtops, this dealer cut the tops off, reinforced the body and put a convertble top on them.. there may have Been 100 or so produced..
The first Volvo that got me started on buying and selling them was a 79 245 in the same color as the brown 245 pictured above, was a one owner high mile car that so totally impressed me... Funny I still remember the paint name of the car, Cimarron red brown...