PRACTICAL CLASSIC?

LIVING WITH A VOLVO

Although the big Volvo is no sports car, there’s a feeling of solidity that’s very reassuring and excellent brakes (discs all round) that pull you up from high speed without any fuss. Road and wind noise are reasonably well muted, although the bluff lines don’t help much here. Perhaps the most disappointing thing is the engine noise, which gets intrusive under acceleration. The seats are wonderfully comfy, but they don’t offer much support through corners. The gearshift is smooth and all the controls are light – the car might have a reputation for being heavy, but it’s a lot lighter to drive than you might expect.