Volvo 850 0–60 Times
The Volvo 850 0–60 times and quarter-mile times below are from 9 recorded performance tests sourced from reputable automotive resources such as Car and Driver, Motor Trend and Motor Week and more.
The fastest tested Volvo 850 is the 1995 Volvo 850 T-5R Sedan, which went from 0 to 60 mph in 6.60 seconds, reaching the ¼ mile in 15.00 seconds at 94.1 mph, according to Motor Trend.
The slowest tested Volvo 850 is the 1996 Volvo 850 GLT Sedan, which took 8.80 seconds to reach 60 mph, running the ¼ mile in 16.60 seconds at 85.9 mph, according to Motor Trend.
Out of all the Volvo 850 tests in our database, the average 0–60 mph time is 7.29 seconds. The average quarter-mile time is 15.60 seconds at 91.14 mph.
Fastest 0–60
6.60sec
1995 T-5R Sedan · stock
Average 0–60
7.29sec
Across 9 runs
Avg ¼ Mile
15.60sec
@ 91.1 mph trap
Slowest 0–60
8.80sec
1996 GLT Sedan
Across 9 verified runs, the Volvo 850 ranges from 6.60 to 8.80 seconds 0–60, with a 7.29-second average.
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Volvo 850 Performance Overview
Volvo’s 850 performance profile spans 1993 to 1996, covering 9 verified tests across a single generation. Over that run, the model evolved from naturally aspirated B5254S-powered GLT versions to turbocharged B5234T and B5234T5 trims, with output ranging from 168 to 243 horsepower. Early results set the baseline with the 1993 GLT Sedan reaching 60 mph in 8.5 seconds, while the broader range for the nameplate ran from 8.8 seconds in the 1996 GLT Sedan to quicker turbo models that redefined the car’s performance envelope.
The major step came in 1994, when the Turbo Sportswagon lowered the benchmark to 6.7 seconds to 60 mph. That was followed in 1995 by the T-5R Sedan, which recorded the model’s quickest verified launch at 6.6 seconds and also the best quarter-mile figure, 15.0 seconds at 94.1 mph. Across the full test set, average acceleration settled at 7.29 seconds to 60 mph and 15.6 seconds in the quarter-mile at 91.1 mph.
By the end of production, the 850 stood as a gasoline-only lineup defined by a short but clear progression from competent naturally aspirated sedans to the faster turbocharged T-5 and T-5R variants that remain the high point of its factory-tested straight-line performance.
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Volvo 850 0–60 Times by Year and Trim
9 tests · 4 years
▾
1996 Volvo 850
3 verified runs
Avg 0–60
7.67
sec
Avg ¼ Mile
15.80
sec
Recorded Tests
3
#04
1996 Volvo 850 R Sedan
6.90sec 0–60
0.0s · 0mph
0.0s · 0mph
15.30s
¼ mi @ 90.9 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 6.90 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 15.30 sec
- Trap Speed
- 90.9 mph
- Engine
- 2.3L Turbo I-5
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Transmission
- 4A
- Horsepower
- 240 hp
- Torque
- 243 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 3,480 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 14.5 lbs/hp
- MPG EPA
- 17 C / 24 H
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Sedan
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Motor Trend
- Overall Rank
- #4 of 9
#07
1996 Volvo 850 R Sportswagon
7.30sec 0–60
0.0s · 0mph
0.0s · 0mph
15.50s
¼ mi @ 92.0 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 7.30 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 15.50 sec
- Trap Speed
- 92.0 mph
- Engine
- 2.3L Turbo I-5
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Transmission
- 4A
- Horsepower
- 243 hp
- Torque
- 243 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 3,470 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 14.3 lbs/hp
- MPG EPA
- 17 C / 24 H
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Wagon
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Motor Week
- Overall Rank
- #7 of 9
#09
1996 Volvo 850 GLT Sedan
8.80sec 0–60
0.0s · 0mph
0.0s · 0mph
16.60s
¼ mi @ 85.9 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 8.80 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 16.60 sec
- Trap Speed
- 85.9 mph
- Engine
- 2.4L I-5
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Transmission
- 4A
- Horsepower
- 168 hp
- Torque
- 162 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 3,200 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 19.0 lbs/hp
- MPG EPA
- 18 C / 26 H
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Sedan
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Motor Trend
- Overall Rank
- #9 of 9
How we verify Volvo 850 performance data
We include only independently published road-test results from automotive publications. Manufacturer-claimed 0–60 times are excluded unless clearly labeled. When multiple publications test the same Volvo 850 trim, each run is listed separately — weather, tires, surface, rollout, and instrumentation all affect results.
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Volvo 850 0–60 and quarter-mile distribution
0–60 vs ¼ mile · lower-left is fasterEach dot is a recorded test run
0–60 →
¼ mile →
Fastest
Recorded run
Slowest
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Volvo 850 performance FAQs
10 questions
For 1996, the quickest Volvo 850 on record is the 850 R Sedan at 6.9 seconds from 0-60 mph. The 850 R Sportswagon runs 7.3 seconds, while the naturally aspirated 850 GLT Sedan takes 8.8 seconds. Across all 1996 tests, the range runs from 6.9 to 8.8 seconds.
The fastest Volvo 850 on record is the 1995 Volvo 850 T-5R Sedan, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds. It also owns the quickest quarter-mile result for the model at 15.0 seconds with a 94.1 mph trap speed, making it the performance benchmark of the 850 range.
The fastest stock Volvo 850 on record is also the 1995 T-5R Sedan at 6.6 seconds from 0-60 mph. There are 9 production Volvo 850 tests in total, and none are non-production runs, so the quickest overall result and quickest stock result are the same car and same time.
Across the full 1993-1996 Volvo 850 run, the average 0-60 mph time is 7.29 seconds from 9 tests. The quickest result is 6.6 seconds by the 1995 T-5R Sedan. Power ranges from 168 to 243 hp across naturally aspirated and turbocharged gasoline versions.
The 1996 Volvo 850 R Sedan reaches 60 mph in 6.9 seconds. It also covers the quarter-mile in 15.3 seconds at 90.9 mph. With 240 hp and 243 lb-ft driving the front wheels, it is the quickest 1996 sedan version of the Volvo 850 on record.
The 1996 Volvo 850 R Sportswagon posts a 0-60 mph time of 7.3 seconds. Its quarter-mile result is 15.5 seconds at 92.0 mph. With 243 hp and 243 lb-ft, it is slightly slower to 60 than the 1996 R Sedan, but it traps a bit higher through the quarter-mile.
The 1996 Volvo 850 GLT Sedan runs from 0-60 mph in 8.8 seconds. It completes the quarter-mile in 16.6 seconds at 85.9 mph. That makes it the slowest 850 result on record, reflecting its naturally aspirated 168-hp setup compared with the quicker turbocharged R and T-5R models.
The 1996 Volvo 850 R Sedan is quicker to 60 mph than the 1996 R Sportswagon. The sedan records 6.9 seconds, while the wagon records 7.3 seconds. In the quarter-mile, the sedan runs 15.3 seconds, and the Sportswagon runs 15.5 seconds, though the wagon traps slightly higher at 92.0 mph versus 90.9 mph.
The 1995 Volvo 850 T-5R Sedan is faster on record than the 1996 850 R Sedan. The T-5R Sedan reaches 60 mph in 6.6 seconds, while the R Sedan does it in 6.9 seconds. That gives the T-5R Sedan a 0.3-second advantage in the best recorded stock 0-60 comparison.
Across all 9 Volvo 850 tests, the average quarter-mile time is 15.6 seconds at 91.1 mph. The quickest quarter-mile on record is the 1995 T-5R Sedan at 15.0 seconds and 94.1 mph. For 1996 models, the R Sedan runs 15.3, the R Sportswagon 15.5, and the GLT Sedan 16.6 seconds.
Sources
Car and Driver
Motor Trend
Motor Week
0–60 and quarter-mile times vary with driver, weather, tire temperature, and wear. We collect every verified run we can find — so you see the range of what a Volvo 850 can do, not a single marketing claim.
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Other Volvo 0–60 times
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