Volvo 940 GLE – Driving test – From the Old Box

Volvo scored quite well with the design of the 850, which was shown to the world in 1991. Compared to the big brother 940, it already looked a lot more modern, although the 940 was also only available for a relatively short time. The fact that the 940 was of a more conservative cut in appearance was of course no reason to walk past it. A driving test with the 940 GLE 16V exactly thirty years ago showed that Volvo had really put down a contemporary and fine car.

Although the 900 series still looked quite similar to its predecessor, the 700 series, more modern taillights and a slightly more rounded appearance here and there had ensured that there was a clearly fresher model. However, the renewal was not very shocking and so was what was new in the interior. Volvo is clearly pursuing a conservative course for its new top model. Still a lot of cars turned up. A car that seemed to be able to drive through anything, with its robust and still (certainly for the 90s) very angular appearance.

We’d driven the 940 before, of course, but went out with the 940 GLE 16V in 1992 and again came to the conclusion that the 940 felt noticeably more spry than it looked. That already started with the steering behaviour. Despite its size, the 940 was relatively effortless to maneuver. However, the biggest plus about this particular 940 was the block. That 2.3 four-cylinder produced 155 hp and 203 Nm, which was enough to turn the 940, which weighs just under 1,400 kilos, into a reasonably smooth car. “The sturdy Swede can be controlled with a minimum of effort and the remarkably smooth, well-sprung four-cylinder with its sixteen valves responds very willingly to the accelerator pedal,” we wrote. The average test consumption of about 1 in 9 we found ‘neat’. Other times…

According to the editor on duty, the 940 GLE also found a fine companion for those looking for a bit more robust steering. This was partly due to the presence of a differential lock, which was not standard on every 940. “Even during very spicy cornering (not really a face with such a big box), the breakout tendencies of the rear are kept very neatly within limits. The result of such a locking differential is that you can go through a corner harder, tighter and without precarious antics. Another nice driving bonus is the ABS, which is also standard on the GLE.” If we had to name a small downside, it was the somewhat distant design of the dashboard. “Some buttons and levers seem a bit far away at first, but it’s still not that bad in use.”

The 940 GLE was good in its accessories. For example, there were electrically operated windows and mirrors, central locking, heated seats and tinted glass. We therefore came to the conclusion that the 940 GLE was actually a perfect option for those who wanted to sit very warm, but did not want to shop for the top price at Volvo. After all, you also had the 960, but ‘such a super luxurious 960 costs no less than 50 grand more than its more modest 940 brother’. swallow.