My thoughts on the 850's interior design Topic is solved

[matthew1]

In 17 years of driving my 1997 850, not one day did I think "this is better in new cars" about any interior feature.

I can go on and on about the remarkable and awesome design of my 850. The interior never once felt poorly designed.

Good design lasts.

The controls were properly placed. The tactile feedback was great. Seating, steering wheel placement, pedal placement, controls well placed. Everything.

I like the center window switches. Yes, they get spills. But that's because the cupholder (hey! I found something I don't like!) is flimsy and poorly placed.

The interior is handsome also. It's tasteful and purposeful.

-- cross posted from the FB MVS group --

[crlande]

I wish they had kept the window switch in same spot a few more years. After driving the 850 I tend to reach for the wrong spot with the wrong hand when I hop in the S70!

[Brahms]

right on Matthew.
Whenever I have a chance to drive something other than an 850, and I have two of them, I always think, I miss my 850 interior. I just drove a S60 from the 2000's era, and I frankly could not stand it. There is a better sense of space in the 850, the physicality of the buttons-which can easily be used by touch without even looking, the sense of not being wrapped into cockpit the way every new car is being made - it's not an airplane after-all. The simple display is easily readable and intuitive, and the trip computer is the simplest little tool, stored with lots of info, easily accessed. The seats are excellent in these cars as well.

[matthew1]

The simple display is easily readable and intuitive, and the trip computer is the simplest little tool, stored with lots of info, easily accessed. The seats are excellent in these cars as well.

Great points

I wish they had kept the window switch in same spot a few more years. After driving the 850 I tend to reach for the wrong spot with the wrong hand when I hop in the S70!

I do the same, still

[renasmith]

Assuming you are referring to the interior design of the Volvo 850, it was a mid-size luxury car produced by Volvo Cars between 1991 and 1997. The 850's interior design was widely praised for its comfortable and ergonomic layout, which was focused on providing a pleasant driving experience for the passengers.

One of the standout features of the 850's interior was the driver-oriented dashboard, which featured a clear and intuitive layout of gauges and controls. The center console was angled towards the driver, making it easy to access the various functions without having to take your eyes off the road. The front seats were also very comfortable and supportive, with excellent lumbar support and ample legroom.

Another notable aspect of the 850's interior design was its use of high-quality materials and finishes. The cabin was well-insulated from road noise and vibrations, and the soft-touch materials on the dashboard and door panels gave the car a premium feel. The seats were upholstered in high-quality fabric or leather, depending on the model, and the overall fit and finish of the interior was top-notch.

Overall, the 850's interior design was a significant step forward for Volvo, setting the stage for future models with its emphasis on comfort, convenience, and safety. While some elements of the design may seem dated by today's standards, the 850 remains a classic example of a well-designed and thoughtfully engineered luxury car interior.

[abscate]

I like the v70 style dash more but that’s because I have 4 of them.

The seats , are , in a word, sublime.

[CIK7]

The appearance of the seat is plush like a 960. Not plain and simple like a v70. Maybe I have made a mistake. Perhaps I should get an 855. I LOVE the plushness of the cloth 850 front seat. My v70 has a pair of those seats with the single adjustment lever next to the center console.

[jreed]

Got to say, the response from renasmith above matches pretty closely what you get if you ask ChatGPT for a description of the Volvo 850 interior.

From ChatGPT

Screen Shot 2023-03-19 at 08.47.21.png (138.66 KiB) Viewed 2187 times

[454cid]

Jreed, I think it was taken care of already. If you click on the username it doesn't exist anymore.

[matthew1]

The original text contained a link to an interior design firm. I took that out and nuked the account, but left the post. I didn't know where it came from. That's very interesting.