In the late ’80s, Volvo started to switch its production to the front-wheel drive system instead of rear-wheel drive ones.
The 460 was one of the good results.

The car was based on the same platform with the sporty hatchback Volvo 480. The compact market already started to be very important and Volvo had the idea to offer a premium car for that segment and it launched the 440 in 1987. It was a car for families and young couples.

While the 440 featured a hatchback bodywork, the 460 was offered as a four-door sedan. It also was a time when Volvo started to change its design trend from straight cut lines to curvy forms. The 1993 460 featured restyled headlights when compared to those of the 1987 440. The front side resembled its bigger brother, the Volvo 850, which was launched in 1990. From the side, the 460 featured a small window behind the rear doors, as an element of distinction.

Inside, the 460 still used the same square design. The instrument cluster and the center stack were combined into a big, square, element with the air-vents and the tape-radio. The car featured a roomy interior, despite its short length. It was good for transporting up to five adults, but on short distances, but four of them could fit well inside the 460. The most important upgrade for the facelifted Volvo 460 was the side protection, where the car-maker installed steel beams inside the doors.

The car was offered with a wide choice of gasoline and diesel engines. Some of them were carried-over from the Renault. The power range was between 83 hp and 120 hp. All versions were mated as standard with a 5-speed manual.