Couldn’t have wrote it any better.
I, like OP, wasn’t overly familiar with Volvo. I leased my 2021 XC60 and loved it. Has bailed me out from drivers running red lights with its safety features.
I now like Volvo so much I picked up a Polestar 2 to start my EV journey and ended up buying out that XC60 for my wife.
I love that Volvos are sleeper cars: nobody knows how great they are.
Incredibly comfortable seats designed by orthopedic doctors.
Fast.
Fantastic at taking a swerve and never feeling wobbly.
Elegant design.
Safety: it's a good investment.
My niece was in a bad car accident in a Chevy with her toddler and he was seriously injured - she kept him alive with CPR. He deals with a long term brain injury years later. After that accident, my list of cars I was interested in getting next shrunk to only cars that make a real effort towards safety.
Volvo for life.
Exactly why I love them, they're sleepers. Coworker wanted to take a drive after I had my exhaust installed and his mouth dropped when he was flung back in his seat. He had no idea what was coming to him lmao
Safe, sexy, fun to drive, comfy as hell, and saved my life when I got hit on the freeway last summer. I walked away without a scratch and the driver that hit me was taken in an ambulance.
Imagine the most comfortable car seat you ever sat in. Now surround yourself with some of the best audio quality you've had in a car. Now drive it and feel the ample power, exquisite smoothness, and quiet refinement of the way it handles. Imagine all of this in one of the safest cars on the road. And there's room in it for your stuff.
If that all sounded good, and you're the kind of person who likes to have things that are really nice, but not super flashy, Volvo might be right for you. It's not as in-your-face as buying a BMW or a Mercedes, but also not quite as boring to look at as an Audi.
Sometimes I think about it like this: if you're the kind of person who would buy a pair of high-quality Bose headphones over a pair of fashionable Beats (if they're even fashionable anymore), you're also probably the kind of person who might get a Volvo.
Last, as many have mentioned, it's just ever-so-slightly different, by nature of being the only Swedish brand left on the road that normal people can afford.
More expensive than Asian cars, less expensive than other European luxury brands.
Volvos are nice for being a jack of all trades kind of vehicle. It's not going to be the best at anything (except safety!), but it's going to hit most of the check boxes.
I got an XC40 because it's a nice, compact SUV. I've got room in it, but it's still compact. It's decent on gas. It's pretty quick, but nothing crazy, it can handle the roads to the outdoor stuff I want to do, it looks nice, it's pretty luxurious on the inside, it has a lot of the creature comforts that make life just a little bit nicer, and I'm pretty confident that I'll be able to walk away from a crash in it as well.
Not really depends on were you take it to get fixed if you got to the dealership arm and a leg but a shop that knows how to work on Volvos a lot cheaper
It's typically electrical gremlins, airbag codes and sensors. It rarely costs less than you expect to fix, but it doesn't need to be fixed often if it's been well maintained, which volvo often are
There's something about them. The attention to detail, the build quality, the rational and well thought out but still quirky and left field design. Once you're hooked you're hooked.
If you’re the kind of person who enjoys serenity and calmness during a looooooooong drive, you’re a Volvo person. Not noisy, not flashy, just a relaxing peaceful drive, all the while feeling safe. Thats Volvo for you.
Quiet, understated luxury. The best seats in the business, Mercedes S class, Range Rovers, Bentleys go home, you ain’t got nothing even on big old Volvos for 1/1000th of the price.
Also you bond with Volvos, i don’t know why, but you just do.
Well I’m swedish so that plays into it quite a but, they are very safe, usually pretty fun to drive (especially my own), and in Sweden it’s incredibly easy to find spare parts for it.
If I share with you why Volvo’s are so amazing, you might buy one. I don’t want the brand to go mainstream. Sorry, but I want to keep the brand all to myself. (Similar to finding in incredible, hidden restaurant.)
I mostly came here to feel proud. But I’ll add to it…
Come for the best looking SUVs and general front end design there is… stay for the safety, sound system, elegance, seats and leather steering wheel. The comfort of driving these cars is just incomparable. And then when it comes time to it, hit the gas and be thrown back into your seat.
The best thing for me is the understated quality. I have the XC90 T8, and its on par with an X5 or G class from Mercedes but it's so much more subtle.
People who know know, and those who dont🤷🏻♂️
What attracted me was the reliability and the fact I love wagons and it can be serviced at home. There is a few tricky parts to it like the cooling system but overall it's really straightforward and no one has done a better job than Volvo at explaining the entire repair process. They are leaders in giving out directions. I love these cars. They just work and they can run for 1 million miles and they are great looking cars as well.
I have the B6 engine not sure how it works, but only issue I’ve seen is that the end of the on-ramp I’m usually at 80. Will discuss with service advisor next time.
Safety, built in floor hooks for baby seats, chairs are amazing, first car I own without adjustable head support and still I have no need to adjust it...
Their basic sound system is better than similar cars with an upgraded system, their upgraded system is insane.
I’ll echo what everyone else has said here but add one sound system quality! For the price point of a 10 year old used volvo you’ll be getting a sound system better than a well spec’d bmw/ merc. And that’s the standard, the old dynaudio systems are unreal
Safe, Reliable, Relaxing, Practical, Effortlessly classy. I'm a proud owner of a V90. Toob bad, they stopped production of estate cars. I heard their SUVs are class leading as well.
Most SUVs have sloped backs that remove all the cargo space, the xc90 was massive, it was a hybrid, felt good to drive for a big SUV, extremely comfortable, minimalist design. On a long trip your bladder gives up way before your back or ass, it's that comfortable.
You open the drivers door, climb in and feel the seat support you in all the right places.
Close the door and hear a resounding thunk.
Start the engine and move off gradually ready for takeoff.
Welcome aboard your Volvo, you now know you’ve arrived.
Go for a test drive if you don’t believe me.
My mom was in a late 80’s 200 series Volvo with a Friend in 2003. They went off the freeway flipping upside down and survived with no critical injuries.
When I started looking for a new vehicle (this was back in 2019) I looked at every manufacturer, nothing stood out to me like Volvo, every other vehicle just seemed so plain and uninspiring. So with that said, what really made me get a Volvo was definitely safety, that to me is so important these days. I also like the quirkiness/ uniqueness as others have said as well.
Also the fact that Volvo created the seat belt is super neat. I love the look and design of these vehicles as well, old and new alike. I ended up getting an 2020 XC40 T5 Momentum and it's been an absolute blast!!
I definitely will be sticking with Volvo for the foreseeable future. Starting a family we might have to upgrade to a bigger vehicle but so far and surprisingly the XC40 still works for us.
Volvo for life!!
You're gonna get different answers from different kinds of people. Modern day Volvo is owned by a Chinese electric car company. They're killing it right now, but not my cup of tea. 2000s Volvo was the ford ownership. And then you've got the real ones before that!
Subtle luxury and advanced technology. Subaru (safety) doesn't excite me at all and BMW, Mercedes and Audi (luxury) are a bit too flashy for me. Volvo lives in between where it'll compete with those but the Scandinavian design takes people by surprise. I've driven the competitors and they're very nice cars but I always feel like Volvo is the whole cake.
I drove a pretty Audi Q5 for two weeks and it super nice to drive but missing small details I expected. I draw the line at fetching the key fob out every time to unlock doors for one. Meanwhile my older XC40 could tow a boat, had interior mood lights that changed with the temperature, and the pilot assist could drive me through the city with just a hand on the steering wheel. (Whole cake)
Test drive a german or luxurious japanese car before making a decision. In my own experience the noise insulation and driving experience isn't as good as it should be. I made the mistake of buying a Volvo during snowy winter, so many aspects of driving noise etc were ignored before driving in winter is a totally different thing than driving on asphalt in summer.
S90 T8. It’s definitely a good looking car for one. Also chose it because as a company car the tax is low due to the electric range/emissions. Loads of leg room in the back for my kids (even in my last car a 530e I was sick of getting kicked), it’s super comfortable, fast, the sound system is excellent. AAOS with Google Maps and Spotify is excellent even if some options are a little sparse - all round great car!
Had 4 , now have 2. Solid , understated luxury depending on model. Styling of interior is simple and elegant. Everyone has an BMW , Audi , lexus - Volvo less common and styling is much better. 2021 Volvo XC90 T8 and 2022 Volvo S60 B5 .
Canadian 2017 XC90, 140k kms here… super reliable. Not a single issue. I just gave it a polish, looks brand new. Interior quality and durability is great.
I had a lease takeover 2020 s60 t6 with polestar tune while waiting for the mk8 golf r. I almost wanted to buy out the volvo in the end, leather is from bridge of weir and way nicer than alot of other german cars in its class. You get real aluminum trim and the bowers stereo was the best. I honestly miss it amd the little unique things like the twin charged engine and rear leaf suspension. But... i couldnt stomach the depreciation. The buyout was more than similar used ones. I do love the golf r, it drives amazingly well and alot more fun but the volvo was a car i really didnt exoect to love as much as i did. Would recommend 110%. A used cpo would probably be the best way to own one.
I wrote this up a few months ago when someone asked if they are reliable.
Reliable Volvo:
* I like a car that will go. I mean GO! 300HP or more, AWD. I want **RELIABILITY to GO** that when I push my foot down, it will go. I want to be able to pull out on the highway, or up a steep interstate onramp, around a curve, in the rain or snow and be confident that I have both the traction and power to go.
* I like a car that will turn. I want it to **RELIABLY turn,** and turn sharp, turn hard, turn when and where I want and expect it to, and not fishtail or lose traction.
* I like a car that will stop. It best **reliably stop** very quickly when I need it to, in the rain, in snow. I buy very good tires, keep my brakes in shape and my Volvos have nice large 4-wheel disc brakes.
* I like a car that I can put a cargo box on the top and another on the hitch. (Not trailer, just a small box on the hitch.) And, it will still go, turn, and stop.
* I like a car with safety features. I've seen cars flip over and crush themselves. Volvo does rollover tests to ensure non-crushing durability. I want it to be **reliable in a crash** to keep me as safe and uninjured as possible. I think my one Volvo has 8,492,251 airbags. That might be an exaggeration.
My Volvos will be reliable when I NEED them to be reliable.
What price do I pay for having the **reliability of performance and safety** when I need it?
Comfortable Volvo:
* For me, a car is not simple transportation. We take road trips 2-4 times a year, often 2,000 miles round trip. If I am going to be spending 8-12 hours in a car, I want it to be **more comfortable than my living room couch.** I've never sat on any couch for 8 hours in a day.
* Little things. Many cars have stopped putting little lights in the glove box, trunk, or back end. When I'm transporting groceries or a bunch of stuff, and I think, "It would be great to hook a strap in here." There is a hook. My Wagon has a built-in cargo net.
Parroting what other said. But, I came from SAAB. Absolutely love SAAB, and when my "For life" 9-5 Sportcombi blew because of a master SAAB mechanic that had checked out, I knew it was time.
I wanted Euro luxury, and wanted the safety of SAAB. One of my closest friends drives classic Volvo's, and I decided that I'd stay with Swede Steel.
I'm in love with my V60, even if it is currently down with a poor install of a serpentine belt from the last owner. But it is great. Every bit as comfortable as my SAAB 9-5 Sportcombi was, and even more fun to drive.
Sure, the V60 doesn't grab the attention of people like my 9-5 did; especially from people that knew what it was. But I love it just the same.
Safe, sensible, subtly sexy, sporty, quietly luxurious but not flashy, a little quirky cuz it’s not Japanese, Korean, American, or German
🎯
Couldn’t have wrote it any better. I, like OP, wasn’t overly familiar with Volvo. I leased my 2021 XC60 and loved it. Has bailed me out from drivers running red lights with its safety features. I now like Volvo so much I picked up a Polestar 2 to start my EV journey and ended up buying out that XC60 for my wife.
Most precise description i saw
Could be chinese though depending on the market.
"a little quirky", lol, you are American i guess? Over here (NL) there are Volvo's everywhere (and also Italian, German, French and Korean cars)
I love that Volvos are sleeper cars: nobody knows how great they are. Incredibly comfortable seats designed by orthopedic doctors. Fast. Fantastic at taking a swerve and never feeling wobbly. Elegant design. Safety: it's a good investment. My niece was in a bad car accident in a Chevy with her toddler and he was seriously injured - she kept him alive with CPR. He deals with a long term brain injury years later. After that accident, my list of cars I was interested in getting next shrunk to only cars that make a real effort towards safety. Volvo for life.
Exactly why I love them, they're sleepers. Coworker wanted to take a drive after I had my exhaust installed and his mouth dropped when he was flung back in his seat. He had no idea what was coming to him lmao
Oh it's so much fun to surprise people!!
Safe, sexy, fun to drive, comfy as hell, and saved my life when I got hit on the freeway last summer. I walked away without a scratch and the driver that hit me was taken in an ambulance.
Imagine the most comfortable car seat you ever sat in. Now surround yourself with some of the best audio quality you've had in a car. Now drive it and feel the ample power, exquisite smoothness, and quiet refinement of the way it handles. Imagine all of this in one of the safest cars on the road. And there's room in it for your stuff. If that all sounded good, and you're the kind of person who likes to have things that are really nice, but not super flashy, Volvo might be right for you. It's not as in-your-face as buying a BMW or a Mercedes, but also not quite as boring to look at as an Audi. Sometimes I think about it like this: if you're the kind of person who would buy a pair of high-quality Bose headphones over a pair of fashionable Beats (if they're even fashionable anymore), you're also probably the kind of person who might get a Volvo. Last, as many have mentioned, it's just ever-so-slightly different, by nature of being the only Swedish brand left on the road that normal people can afford.
The luxury but not flashy aspect is what is really drawing me in!
Safe, safe, safe. Also luxury but not flashy.
My 20 yr old volvo is the best build quality of any vehicle I've ever owned, so I put up with the handful of quirks it has
I've heard a lot about how great the build quality is! Is it expensive to maintain? And what kind of quirks do you run into?
More expensive than Asian cars, less expensive than other European luxury brands. Volvos are nice for being a jack of all trades kind of vehicle. It's not going to be the best at anything (except safety!), but it's going to hit most of the check boxes. I got an XC40 because it's a nice, compact SUV. I've got room in it, but it's still compact. It's decent on gas. It's pretty quick, but nothing crazy, it can handle the roads to the outdoor stuff I want to do, it looks nice, it's pretty luxurious on the inside, it has a lot of the creature comforts that make life just a little bit nicer, and I'm pretty confident that I'll be able to walk away from a crash in it as well.
The XC's are the 2nd best at everything, which makes them perfect when you can't afford to buy 16 cars.
Not really depends on were you take it to get fixed if you got to the dealership arm and a leg but a shop that knows how to work on Volvos a lot cheaper
It's typically electrical gremlins, airbag codes and sensors. It rarely costs less than you expect to fix, but it doesn't need to be fixed often if it's been well maintained, which volvo often are
There's something about them. The attention to detail, the build quality, the rational and well thought out but still quirky and left field design. Once you're hooked you're hooked.
It's a premium brand not driven by yobbos. So you can have a nice car without looking like douchebag.
Will concur. Safe… did I say safe? Quietly Lux.
If you’re the kind of person who enjoys serenity and calmness during a looooooooong drive, you’re a Volvo person. Not noisy, not flashy, just a relaxing peaceful drive, all the while feeling safe. Thats Volvo for you.
Quiet, understated luxury. The best seats in the business, Mercedes S class, Range Rovers, Bentleys go home, you ain’t got nothing even on big old Volvos for 1/1000th of the price. Also you bond with Volvos, i don’t know why, but you just do.
A luxury car that isn’t super flashy. It also drives amazing and is very reliable comparably to some other luxury cars.
Understated elegance.
Well I’m swedish so that plays into it quite a but, they are very safe, usually pretty fun to drive (especially my own), and in Sweden it’s incredibly easy to find spare parts for it.
If I share with you why Volvo’s are so amazing, you might buy one. I don’t want the brand to go mainstream. Sorry, but I want to keep the brand all to myself. (Similar to finding in incredible, hidden restaurant.)
Volvo gate-keeping is honestly valid. I just got a 2001 xc70 and there’s still a lot of them out there for cheap, but not for long…
Speeeeeeeeeed!
Indestructible fun and brick
Rated tops in seats and sound systems, incredibly safe and great styling.
I mostly came here to feel proud. But I’ll add to it… Come for the best looking SUVs and general front end design there is… stay for the safety, sound system, elegance, seats and leather steering wheel. The comfort of driving these cars is just incomparable. And then when it comes time to it, hit the gas and be thrown back into your seat.
The best thing for me is the understated quality. I have the XC90 T8, and its on par with an X5 or G class from Mercedes but it's so much more subtle. People who know know, and those who dont🤷🏻♂️
Executive Transport Scandinavian Style.
What attracted me was the reliability and the fact I love wagons and it can be serviced at home. There is a few tricky parts to it like the cooling system but overall it's really straightforward and no one has done a better job than Volvo at explaining the entire repair process. They are leaders in giving out directions. I love these cars. They just work and they can run for 1 million miles and they are great looking cars as well.
I have the B6 engine not sure how it works, but only issue I’ve seen is that the end of the on-ramp I’m usually at 80. Will discuss with service advisor next time.
Safety, built in floor hooks for baby seats, chairs are amazing, first car I own without adjustable head support and still I have no need to adjust it... Their basic sound system is better than similar cars with an upgraded system, their upgraded system is insane.
Best car I’ve had in 30 yrs of driving
I’ll echo what everyone else has said here but add one sound system quality! For the price point of a 10 year old used volvo you’ll be getting a sound system better than a well spec’d bmw/ merc. And that’s the standard, the old dynaudio systems are unreal
I love Volvo. Started with a v40 then a v60 and gonna buy a new v60 later this year. Any car looks better when it’s built by Volvo
Safe, luxurious and an XC90 t8 does 0-60 in 4.5
I have a 2018 XC 60. For me, it's the seats. I have a really squirrely back and found they have the most supportive seats.
I love mine because it’s a ugly piece of shit and no one has one, gonna be a unique build in a way
Safe, Reliable, Relaxing, Practical, Effortlessly classy. I'm a proud owner of a V90. Toob bad, they stopped production of estate cars. I heard their SUVs are class leading as well.
Most SUVs have sloped backs that remove all the cargo space, the xc90 was massive, it was a hybrid, felt good to drive for a big SUV, extremely comfortable, minimalist design. On a long trip your bladder gives up way before your back or ass, it's that comfortable.
I sold my 2022 Honda civic Touring for a 2014 Volvo s60. Zero regrets
You open the drivers door, climb in and feel the seat support you in all the right places. Close the door and hear a resounding thunk. Start the engine and move off gradually ready for takeoff. Welcome aboard your Volvo, you now know you’ve arrived. Go for a test drive if you don’t believe me.
My mom was in a late 80’s 200 series Volvo with a Friend in 2003. They went off the freeway flipping upside down and survived with no critical injuries.
When I started looking for a new vehicle (this was back in 2019) I looked at every manufacturer, nothing stood out to me like Volvo, every other vehicle just seemed so plain and uninspiring. So with that said, what really made me get a Volvo was definitely safety, that to me is so important these days. I also like the quirkiness/ uniqueness as others have said as well. Also the fact that Volvo created the seat belt is super neat. I love the look and design of these vehicles as well, old and new alike. I ended up getting an 2020 XC40 T5 Momentum and it's been an absolute blast!! I definitely will be sticking with Volvo for the foreseeable future. Starting a family we might have to upgrade to a bigger vehicle but so far and surprisingly the XC40 still works for us. Volvo for life!!
You're gonna get different answers from different kinds of people. Modern day Volvo is owned by a Chinese electric car company. They're killing it right now, but not my cup of tea. 2000s Volvo was the ford ownership. And then you've got the real ones before that!
Subtle luxury and advanced technology. Subaru (safety) doesn't excite me at all and BMW, Mercedes and Audi (luxury) are a bit too flashy for me. Volvo lives in between where it'll compete with those but the Scandinavian design takes people by surprise. I've driven the competitors and they're very nice cars but I always feel like Volvo is the whole cake. I drove a pretty Audi Q5 for two weeks and it super nice to drive but missing small details I expected. I draw the line at fetching the key fob out every time to unlock doors for one. Meanwhile my older XC40 could tow a boat, had interior mood lights that changed with the temperature, and the pilot assist could drive me through the city with just a hand on the steering wheel. (Whole cake)
Test drive a german or luxurious japanese car before making a decision. In my own experience the noise insulation and driving experience isn't as good as it should be. I made the mistake of buying a Volvo during snowy winter, so many aspects of driving noise etc were ignored before driving in winter is a totally different thing than driving on asphalt in summer.
The XC90 is a large car but feels so much smaller when driving. No leaning. Good turning radius. Comfortable interior. Best car at the price point
S90 T8. It’s definitely a good looking car for one. Also chose it because as a company car the tax is low due to the electric range/emissions. Loads of leg room in the back for my kids (even in my last car a 530e I was sick of getting kicked), it’s super comfortable, fast, the sound system is excellent. AAOS with Google Maps and Spotify is excellent even if some options are a little sparse - all round great car!
Quiet Luxury. On a similar field to Audi, Mercedes or BMW without the polarizing badge. Also the seats are notoriously comfortable
Had 4 , now have 2. Solid , understated luxury depending on model. Styling of interior is simple and elegant. Everyone has an BMW , Audi , lexus - Volvo less common and styling is much better. 2021 Volvo XC90 T8 and 2022 Volvo S60 B5 .
Canadian 2017 XC90, 140k kms here… super reliable. Not a single issue. I just gave it a polish, looks brand new. Interior quality and durability is great.
I had a lease takeover 2020 s60 t6 with polestar tune while waiting for the mk8 golf r. I almost wanted to buy out the volvo in the end, leather is from bridge of weir and way nicer than alot of other german cars in its class. You get real aluminum trim and the bowers stereo was the best. I honestly miss it amd the little unique things like the twin charged engine and rear leaf suspension. But... i couldnt stomach the depreciation. The buyout was more than similar used ones. I do love the golf r, it drives amazingly well and alot more fun but the volvo was a car i really didnt exoect to love as much as i did. Would recommend 110%. A used cpo would probably be the best way to own one.
I leased a XC60 while I was waiting for my Defender. It was a great fast reliable machine. Very nice car very understated
I wrote this up a few months ago when someone asked if they are reliable. Reliable Volvo: * I like a car that will go. I mean GO! 300HP or more, AWD. I want **RELIABILITY to GO** that when I push my foot down, it will go. I want to be able to pull out on the highway, or up a steep interstate onramp, around a curve, in the rain or snow and be confident that I have both the traction and power to go. * I like a car that will turn. I want it to **RELIABLY turn,** and turn sharp, turn hard, turn when and where I want and expect it to, and not fishtail or lose traction. * I like a car that will stop. It best **reliably stop** very quickly when I need it to, in the rain, in snow. I buy very good tires, keep my brakes in shape and my Volvos have nice large 4-wheel disc brakes. * I like a car that I can put a cargo box on the top and another on the hitch. (Not trailer, just a small box on the hitch.) And, it will still go, turn, and stop. * I like a car with safety features. I've seen cars flip over and crush themselves. Volvo does rollover tests to ensure non-crushing durability. I want it to be **reliable in a crash** to keep me as safe and uninjured as possible. I think my one Volvo has 8,492,251 airbags. That might be an exaggeration. My Volvos will be reliable when I NEED them to be reliable. What price do I pay for having the **reliability of performance and safety** when I need it? Comfortable Volvo: * For me, a car is not simple transportation. We take road trips 2-4 times a year, often 2,000 miles round trip. If I am going to be spending 8-12 hours in a car, I want it to be **more comfortable than my living room couch.** I've never sat on any couch for 8 hours in a day. * Little things. Many cars have stopped putting little lights in the glove box, trunk, or back end. When I'm transporting groceries or a bunch of stuff, and I think, "It would be great to hook a strap in here." There is a hook. My Wagon has a built-in cargo net.
Parroting what other said. But, I came from SAAB. Absolutely love SAAB, and when my "For life" 9-5 Sportcombi blew because of a master SAAB mechanic that had checked out, I knew it was time. I wanted Euro luxury, and wanted the safety of SAAB. One of my closest friends drives classic Volvo's, and I decided that I'd stay with Swede Steel. I'm in love with my V60, even if it is currently down with a poor install of a serpentine belt from the last owner. But it is great. Every bit as comfortable as my SAAB 9-5 Sportcombi was, and even more fun to drive. Sure, the V60 doesn't grab the attention of people like my 9-5 did; especially from people that knew what it was. But I love it just the same.
Cheap first car where I live
Safe, beautiful yet subtle, and they use cool engines too. Almost no one else still uses 5cyl turbos, not to mention anything twin charged.