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Volvo 960 fuel consumption

Of all Volvo 960 modifications produced from 1990 to 1997 real fuel consumption according to user ratings is approximately 12% higher compared to advertised consumption. Starting from 1990 Volvo 960 average difference between actual owner-reported fuel consumption and stated consumption was significantly higher than average, at 1994 it was slightly above industry average, at 1996 difference between owner-reported and advertised fuel economy became significantly higher than average. For more details, see the table below.

Year-to-year deviations of actual owner-reported average fuel consumption from advertised values

YearGasoline cars
All carmakersVolvo 960
1990+5%+13%
Show all years
1991+5%+13%
1992+5%+13%
1993+5%+13%
1994+6%+11%
1995+5%+10%
1996+4%+10%
1997+3%+10%

See below for the actual consumption of generations and versions of Volvo 960.

1994 - 1997

Volvo 960 1994 wagon fuel economy

Average advertised fuel consumption for petrol engines21.7 MPG
10.8 l/100km
Average real-world fuel consumption for petrol engines19.8 MPG
11.9 l/100km
Average real gasoline consumption difference *+10%

According to advertised fuel consumption, a Volvo 960 1994 with automatic transmission consumes on average 0.2 liters per 100 km or 2% more fuel than similar versions with manual gearbox. Based on user-reported real-world fuel consumption, this generation Volvo 960 with automatic transmission consumes around 1 litres per 100 km or 9% more fuel than a version with the same engine but a manual gearbox.

Compared to similar cars of other manufacturers, the Volvo 960 advertised fuel economy is noticeably below average - at least two thirds of similar cars have lower fuel consumption, but according to available user reports on actual consumption, real fuel economy is one of the worst.
The best fuel economy in its class of all the modifications has one with 2.9 petrol engine and automatic transmission (Volvo 960 1994 2.9 Estate 3.0i 24 Valve 204 HP).

ModificationClaimed consumptionReal consumption
2.5 liter petrol engine
Volvo 960 1994 Estate 2.5i 24 Valve 170 HP manual 22.2 MPG
10.6 l/100km
20.8 MPG
11.3 l/100km+7%
Volvo 960 1994 Estate 2.5i 24 Valve 170 HP automatic 21.8 MPG
10.8 l/100km
19.1 MPG
12.3 l/100km+14%
2.9 liter petrol engine
Volvo 960 1994 2.9 Estate 3.0i 24 Valve 204 HP automatic 21.2 MPG
11.1 l/100km
19.6 MPG
12.0 l/100km+8%
1994 - 1997

Volvo 960 1994 sedan fuel economy

Average advertised fuel consumption for petrol engines21.8 MPG
10.8 l/100km
Average real-world fuel consumption for petrol engines19.8 MPG
11.9 l/100km
Average real gasoline consumption difference *+10%

According to advertised fuel consumption, a Volvo 960 1994 with automatic transmission consumes on average 0.3 liters per 100 km or 3% more fuel than similar versions with manual gearbox. Based on user-reported real-world fuel consumption, this generation Volvo 960 with automatic transmission consumes around 1.1 litres per 100 km or 10% more fuel than a version with the same engine but a manual gearbox.

Compared to similar cars of other manufacturers, the Volvo 960 advertised fuel economy is noticeably below average - at least two thirds of similar cars have lower fuel consumption, but according to available user reports on actual consumption, real fuel economy is one of the worst.
The best fuel economy in its class of all the modifications has one with 2.9 petrol engine and automatic transmission (Volvo 960 1994 2.9 3.0i 24 Valve 204 HP).

ModificationClaimed consumptionReal consumption
2.5 liter petrol engine
Volvo 960 1994 2.5i 24 Valve 170 HP manual 22.4 MPG
10.5 l/100km
20.8 MPG
11.3 l/100km+8%
Volvo 960 1994 2.5i 24 Valve 170 HP automatic 21.8 MPG
10.8 l/100km
19.0 MPG
12.4 l/100km+15%
2.9 liter petrol engine
Volvo 960 1994 2.9 3.0i 24 Valve 204 HP automatic 21.2 MPG
11.1 l/100km
19.6 MPG
12.0 l/100km+8%
1990 - 1994

Volvo 960 1990 wagon fuel economy

Average advertised fuel consumption for petrol engines21.2 MPG
11.1 l/100km
Average real-world fuel consumption for petrol engines19.0 MPG
12.4 l/100km
Average real gasoline consumption difference *+13%
Average advertised fuel consumption for diesel engines28.2 MPG
8.4 l/100km
ModificationClaimed consumptionReal consumption
2.0 liter petrol engine
Volvo 960 1990 2.0 i 16V 190 HP manual 21.0 MPG
11.2 l/100km
2.4 liter diesel engine
Volvo 960 1990 2.4 TD 115 HP manual 27.7 MPG
8.5 l/100km
Volvo 960 1990 2.4 Estate Turbo Diesel 122 HP automatic 28.7 MPG
8.2 l/100km
2.9 liter petrol engine
Volvo 960 1990 2.9 Estate 3.0i 24V 204 HP automatic 21.4 MPG
11.0 l/100km
19.0 MPG
12.4 l/100km+13%
1990 - 1994

Volvo 960 1990 sedan fuel economy

Average advertised fuel consumption for petrol engines21.2 MPG
11.1 l/100km
Average real-world fuel consumption for petrol engines19.0 MPG
12.4 l/100km
Average real gasoline consumption difference *+13%
Average advertised fuel consumption for diesel engines28.3 MPG
8.3 l/100km
ModificationClaimed consumptionReal consumption
2.0 liter petrol engine
Volvo 960 1990 2.0 i 16V 190 HP manual 21.0 MPG
11.2 l/100km
2.4 liter diesel engine
Volvo 960 1990 2.4 TD 115 HP automatic 27.7 MPG
8.5 l/100km
Volvo 960 1990 2.4 TD 122 HP automatic 29.0 MPG
8.1 l/100km
2.9 liter petrol engine
Volvo 960 1990 2.9 3.0 i 24V 204 HP automatic 21.4 MPG
11.0 l/100km
19.0 MPG
12.4 l/100km+13%

* - Difference between advertised and user reported fuel economy has been calculated taking into account only those car versions for which information is available both on the fuel consumption specified by the manufacturer and reported by users.

User-reported fuel consumption may not accurately represent all users' experiences due to variables such as driving conditions, driving style, technical condition of the vehicle, and other circumstances. Thus, it should not be relied upon as a representative indicator.