We trawled back through the last ten years and have counted down our five top Volvo trucks. Which came in at number one?
Volvo trucks make up a fair chunk of the Australian long-haul landscape.
Alongside the Kenworth K200, the Swedish truck maker produces the biggest selling heavy-duty truck in the country, the FH.
Designed and built for local conditions in a factory in Wacol, Queensland, the FH range – and its FM and FMX cousins – has cemented the company as one of Australia’s most sought after manufacturers.
Backed by Volvo’s trucking history that back dates to 1927, the local presence produces approximately 3,000 vehicles a year since opening its doors in 1972.
With such a history, our experienced team have spent many hours behind the wheel of Volvo’s range of vehicles and put many of their thoughts to paper.
As we continue to find our top five trucks from the industry’s most iconic brands, we have looked back at the Volvo reviews submitted by our team and picked the vehicles that withstand the scrutiny of hindsight and display longevity.
5. Volvo Dual Control FE
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Officially launched a few months back at the Waste Management in Action event in Melbourne, the ‘world’s first dual control FE’ is Volvo’s most determined move into the world of domestic waste collection. Built with high levels of standard safety features, not least anti-lock brakes and an electronic stability system to reduce the risk of skidding and roll-over, the Volvo Dual Control FE also has a wider windshield and extra side mirrors for greater driver visibility. Trying to compete in a market that has long been held by Iveco’s locally-produced ACCO, the FE has a tough job ahead of it. But it has the tools. Read our review: Volvo Dual Control FE Find a Volvo FE on sale here. |
4. Volvo FM 540
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There’s no question Volvo’s new FH flagship has been a raging success almost from the day it first appeared on dealer’s lots. Still, it’s the incredibly versatile FM which has continued to provide the platform for the Swedish brand’s strong performance over many years. So, what is it that makes the ubiquitous FM such a stand-out attraction? On-road performance,Volvo’s dynamic steering system, and its ability to be specified for a diverse range of roles, from large fleets to owner-drivers, are some of the FM 540’s notable highlights that make it a worthy placeholder in this top five. Read our review: Volvo FM 540 Find a Volvo FM on sale here. |
3. Volvo FMX
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Coming in at third place in our Volvo top five is the FMX, a better looking and ballsier version of the popular Volvo Trucks FM range. It is, in effect, an FM wearing work boots, a hard hat and safety vest. Powered by either the 10.8-litre D11 SCR engine or the 12.8-litre D13, the FMX range took on the rain, the mud, and the slush in our review and come out on top. Read our review: Volvo FMX Find a Volvo FMX on sale here. |
2. Volvo FH 16 600
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The Volvo FH 16 600 has environmental credentials and power to burn, making it the second best truck reviewed by our team. There were possibly more imposing trucks in 2013 when we took a green model for a spin, but not many. And there were certainly very few with more power. For its combination of both, the FH 16 600 was hard to beat. Read our review: Volvo FH 16 600 Find a Volvo FH on sale here. |
1. Volvo FH 16 700
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The best Volvo truck we have put to the test over the past decade is the FH 16 700. From the moment they stepped into the hauler in 2013, our reviewers knew it was the flagship Volvo. Packing a 16-litre, 6 cylinder SCR engine with 700hp (515kw) and topping out at 3,150Nm of torque, the FH 16 towed the 61-tonne, B-double cargo with ease. And as you would expect the truck was a pleasure to drive. Read and watch our review: Volvo FH 16 700 Find a Volvo FH on sale here. |