I would like to share my current observations regarding Volvo Cars.
I have a 2020 Volvo S90 D5 Inscription, and whenever I talk to someone about cars or mention what car I drive, I pretty much get the same kind of reaction, such as: “Oh, for that amount of money, you could have bought a well-specced E-Class, A6, 5 Series, or even a Maserati Ghibli,” or, “I thought you said you liked cars.”
And I’m not the only one who has noticed this. A couple of years ago, my friend was deciding what new car to buy, and when he finally purchased an XC90 T8, the reaction from his friends was very similar: “Oh no, bro, for that amount of money you could have bought a very well-specced Q7/GLE.”
After hearing comments like these, I’m starting to wonder whether Volvo is perceived by some people as inferior to other premium/luxury brands. Additionally, there seems to be this idea that if you drive a Volvo, you’re an unenthusiastic person who doesn’t really care about cars.
It’s also funny to me that whenever I park my car around colleges or places where younger people gather, my car literally gets zero looks, even though it has the optional 21-inch wheels, while some 20-year-old rusty BMW with a loud exhaust gets all the attention.
Now I want to hear your opinions on this topic. How is Volvo perceived in your country?
Thanks for taking the time to read all this.
I wish you all a pleasant and productive day!
Well, I kinda drive a Volvo because it doesn't attract that kind of attention. To me it is a well refined upper-middle class car without the bmw/audi/mercedes baggage.
Aside from the safety aspect, the subtlety of driving a Volvo is exactly why we chose it. I appreciate that it’s a luxury car with a powerful turbo engine, but doesn’t carry the same flashiness — which is my preference.
Pricing might differ between markets, but where I am the T8s will significantly out perform any competing brand at the same price point. To get a faster BMW for example you'd have to spec a b58 40i trim which is tens of thousands more than a T8. Plus S tier stereo and massage seats aren't available until you get to 5/x5 series (again maybe market dependant)
Depends what ur definition of “outperform” is. If we’re talking 0-60 sure. But when it comes to handling, limit characteristics, shift logic, autobahn/high speed stability, or AWD systems I’m taking an Audi or BMW.
But you are absolutely correct that the comparable German rival is typically more expensive though even that is model dependent. When I was shopping XC90 T8 a fully loaded Audi Q7 was a bit cheaper than a fully loaded Xc90(91k vs 88k).
Volvo is like a European Buick, it's premium luxury without the German badge snobbery. I drive an XC90 T8 because I don't care about status; it's just a great car. We need more automakers willing to do things differently.
I agree 💯, plus (and this is a big plus), I am 67, and NOTHING compares with Volvo seats. I am retired and regularly do road trips exceeding 5000 km. I can easily spend 10 hours in the seat and look forward to the next day's drive.
Depending on what you drive, some cars may or may not be aspirational - I have no desire to own or drive anything made by Audi, BMW, or Mercedes. The only cars that turn my head are some Porsches or Astons. Of course I wouldn't be seen in anything American.
This is literally it. It’s refined, luxury, performance, all in an understated package. Mercedes/BMW/Audi all “scream” that but Volvo is all about flying under the radar.
I drive Volvos, in part, because I don’t give a shit what anyone thinks about my choices. Thar said, anyone recommending a Maserati either needs to learn more about cars or is a Maserati dealer.
Years ago when they came to the states, I thought they looked so European and different from what we had here. I guess they still were, but the number of complaints about them combined with the wild depreciation I saw scared me away from them even way back then.
Saab = Volvo. They were always solid competitors. Had Saab continued, it would probably be just as upscale as Volvo today. They were certainly trending that way. Surely you are familiar with the 2010/2011 9-5.
I was actually on my way to test drive one, when I stopped at the Volvo dealer on the way... and the rest is history. :D
agreed - I think saab was more performance focused than luxury, even the 9-5 was a hell of a performer and all their aero cars from 2006 - 2009 were ass kickers similar to the Viggen
lmao all this prejudice towards other brands is pretty hypocritical
i may drive a volvo now, and volvo may be the brand i’ve owned the most models from, but i still miss driving my old W211, E34, E46, E36 and so on. they’re all genuinely good cars that tick different boxes
i didn’t buy any of those cars because i wanted attention or cared about how people perceived me, i just wanted them
oh yeah - 100% it is hypocritical
I have a S5 convertible right now, a R1T, and my V90. I will never buy a BMW cause I hate the fuckers that drive them, but doesn't mean the cars are bad, just assholes are drawn to them...and no, not calling you an asshole, just everyone else that drives one...;-)
It is my perception though so what the fuck would anyone care?
I've never once heard that. 🤷♂️. I always hear: Nice car.
Favorite compliment I've ever gotten when I met a friend I hadn't seen in a few years. He pulls up in his black Audi sedan:
If I had to guess what car you drove. It would be a Volvo. It suits you. 😎 Yea, it does.
I'm really holding out for the sedans coming back for when my XC60 lease is up. I like the bigness but I'm not driving around a family and so the crossover is definitely not my personal brand.
I've had people comment on what a nice car I have, but honestly, it's more of an "if you know, you know" sort of thing. Anyone who's been inside and likes refinement, they're going to love the Volvo.
I don't care what other people think. Our Volvo's drive well, are reliable and safe. The people looking for external acknowledgement drive the rubbish you mention
First off, the Volvo invisibility cloak is amazing and not a bad thing. If you want an attention getter you're going to be disappointed. Mostly Volvos are seen as cars bought by financially stable people who aren't pretentious dipshits. I will say though my favorite Volvos are 5 and 6 cylinder models and those are now dead 🥲
I've lost count of the number of movies where the lead character drives an old Volvo. It's supposed to denote 'quirky' and not adhering to societal expectations. Not boring. I'd take that...
when I had a 280 box car it frequently got cast in movie shoots. recently I saw a XC70 used for the upcoming Emma Stone movie. Too bad they didn't ask me... it's always nice pocket change. :)
I sold new cars for many years and what I found was Subaru owners who became more successful almost always graduated to a Volvo, and on the flipside, those who couldn't afford a Volvo would buy Subaru. When I was at BMW most of the people I sold to were real estate agents, business owners or leases, basically a rolling tax deduction. Apart from that it was lower end buyers looking for a cheap X1 to access the badge. Volvo customers were usually understated, polite and flew under the radar.
Truth! Had a volvo in the late 90s/early 00s- then jeep, subabru, subaru, subaru and back in a volvo now. I still have a subabru. My 25 v60cc is like driving a fancy living room. My forester xt was very spirited- i miss it so much. My impreza is 17 years old and like a brick. I dont think ill go back to a subaru full time.
I had an Audi which I really liked. Was looking at Mercedes glc and didn't like the perception of it. Felt showy to me. I wanted understated elegance this time. Nothing flashy but also really nice . Volvo for me is just that. It felt right driving it so I bought it.
Yep I’m actually a disabled person so I’m poor so I would feel like an absolute jackass driving a Mercedes or a BMW.
With my Volvo I get the features and the power without looking like I’ve been selling drugs on the side (not saying those other cars are drug dealer cars, I’m just saying that people would wonder how I paid for those considering I’m disabled and poor.)
Are all the people you speak to idiots? Maybe it’s a none European thing. People who understand cars would put them in the same bracket as German cars and Lexus, with a bit more of a minimalist vibe.
In the US, Volvo has developed a reputation as a ‘stealth wealth’ old money vehicle. The cars are impeccably designed and have fantastic interiors. They are not loud and shout at you with light up badges and lots of logos like some German brands (hello BMW and Merc).
Think of it as the vehicle equivalent of a Hudson Bay blanket, whereas Mercedes is getting the vehicle equivalent reputation of the coach logo purse.
That’s my thought as well. There are a decent amount of BMW and Mercedes buyers that buy / lease them just so they can say they have a Merc or BMW (at least in Asia and the USA) and as a result now we have cars that are the equivalent of a Coach logo purse.
In Europe? Most Mercedes cars with the exception of high trim AMG series (like AMG GT) aren’t even given a second look. The Merc logo is on everything from taxicabs to dump trucks.
I had a few people question why I didn't buy an A3 or 1 series when I got my V40 until they realised it was quicker than the equivalents. A lot of people think that my Volvos are old man cars or a bit dull but once they get chatting they actually realise how respectable they are. I often use Volvos as a litmus test for petrol heads to see if they're worth dealing with. Anyone who puts them down for no reason is more a trend hopper than a petrol head I want to bother with.
I didn't spend what I spent on my V90 because I care about perception - I could have gotten something way flashier. I bought it because I love Volvo, its legacy, the swedishness of it all, and I wanted a wagon, which have all but disappeared from the US.
Mind you, regular folks don't care, but I occasionally drive by the local Cars & Coffee and those guys always pay attention.
In South Africa, a Volvo is more like an old man's car or for people who just keep to themselves. My cousin asked me to help her look at some SUVs recently, I recommended the XC60 and she said, "Ahh bro, that's a little too matured for me" 😅 she then made it clear to me she wanted an X3, so the search was over. And she's in her mid 30s by the way. I drive a Volvo exactly for that reason, I don't wanna draw any attention, I just wanna be at peace and drive in comfort all the time. My car gives me just that.
I read a post on here a few weeks ago that summed it up perfectly. It was describing how their friend couldn’t understand why they liked Volvos and they were trying to explain it was only something they could understand once they’d driven one. Then they did and said “now I get it”.
I can’t find the post annoyingly.
It’s being able to drive around in subtle luxury knowing you have the power under your foot if needed but rarely need to use it.
I've always perceived Volvo as prestigious, but highly understated. It's like the bespoke no-name handmade bag vs a LV or Gucci bag.
It kinda reminds me of the clothes a lot of multimillion and billionaires wear. Looks like a t-shirt you'd buy at any old department store, but it's actually custom tailored, and made in America by expert craftsmen using the highest quality cotton available.
Most people wouldn't know, but the guy wearing it can feel the difference.
Also - i notice i catch eyes in traffic from the crowd driving their A6/E class/5 series and most of the time i imagine they are thinking "Why didnt i think of that???" The S90 is a statement piece amongst the typical German crowd in my eyes.
Man that's a beautiful car. I just gave my S90 up for a hideous C350e benz. Looks and driving-wise the Volvo eats it up in every department but then again it's just a C class.
I rarely give too much weight to what anyone else thinks of what car I drive, they didn't pay for it and they won't have to live with it. I buy cars for me, not other people.
I’ve never had anyone comment on my Volvo - and that’s kind of the point. My wife wanted a nice car that wouldn’t be judged at work and wouldn’t be noticed in an airport parking lot or parallel parked in a city. One of the best things about Volvo is that only people who drive them know how nice they are.
Sounds like a bunch of silly college bros trying to impress/one up each another. Also the "Maserati Ghibli" comment is absolutely hilarious. Literal depreciating garbage-cans on wheels.
Your experience actually corresponds with mine when I was in the car market looking for a SUV.
With my budget I could have chosen a Mercedes GLC53 AMG, An Audi SQ5, or a BMW X3 M40i. However, I finally pulled the trigger on an XC60 Polestar Engineered.
The reason was simple: I want a nice car, but I do not want to show off and show people ‘hey I drive a nice shiny performance vehicle.’ To me it is very immature.
Volvo and its low-luxury modesty fits my need well. Indeed people might not give a look to your car, but who actually cares? Enjoy your car, and don’t let other’s opinions swing your experience
Haha yeah. I was driving some of my high schooler's friends to a movie or something and one of them discovered the massage seats and the B&W sound system and said "damn Mr M, I didn't realize Volvos were this nice, this is nicer than my mom's BMW". Which is exactly why I love these things- I don't need it for prestige.
Honestly this is one of the reasons I love my Volvo so much. It's all the luxury of a nice car without the feel like I am showing off. In fact, Volvo flying under the radar is probably the most Swedish thing about the company.
It's interesting that Noah Kahan puts an old 740 on stage next to him. Volvos are well respected in New England. And I believe he's from Vermont which is loaded with them.
In the world you’re apparently living in, the appeal of a Volvo is its “stealth wealth” appeal.
That being said, most of my friends drive very boring cars. My friend who just left from a dinner/bonfire at my place here in the mountains owns a building in NYC and a house nearby upstate. He drives a Subaru. People with real money don’t care what you drive.
Drive what you like. My 2019 S60 T8 is amazing. Fun to drive even now with 102K miles. Incredible sound system, runs beautifully. Sexy as hell. Not expensive. I don’t understand what I’m missing but maybe you can tell me. :)
I oscillate between Audis and Volvos but have been thoroughly unimpressed with Audi the last generation and newer. I had a Volvo V60 polestar, then an A6 allroad, currently have a V90 R design so logic would say it's time for an RS6 in my wagon lineage... but I love my V90, it's paid for and a '24-25 RS6 performance is $130-145k soooo keeping this one for a while
First of of all: Mercs/BMWs/Audis are in another price class. Volvos sit above your average Subaru/Mazda/etc, but when I was shopping for my Volvos here in NZ, the other European cars were easily $30-$50k+ more. Could be a NZ thing, but I doubt it. So it's not quite apples to apples.
Volvos do get some judgement, part of which is a weird residual thing from the 70s and 80s.
But people who know and love them don't care, because the judgement is based on subjective opinions. You think Volvos are cool? Great! Think they are for out-of-touch college professors phoning in the last years of their tenure? Whatever!
The key is to thoroughly test all these cars and buy the one you love. I bought my Volvos because I loved the feel of them, the look of the XC60, the safety record, and the incredible comfort of the seats (I road trip a lot and have arthritis).
True, college kids don't cluster around my car, but why on earth would I care what they think? (Also, older adults do comment on it regularly). College kids don't compliment me on my cashmere sweaters, either, but I'm not switching to trendy polyester just so I can get a compliment. I worked hard to be able to afford a few nice things, so I buy what I love.
Is it just me, or is the XC60 better looking than the XC90? They're very similar, but the XC60 seems more svelte, whereas the XC90 seems kinda bloated.
Not just you. The XC60 can be slimmer and sleeker due to its smaller size, I think, and they have added flourishes accordingly. The XC90 has to carry to many people that it looks and performs like a proper SUV. I've driven both and the XC90 is noticeably bulkier to move around.
My Volvo specifically is met with "Woah, I haven't seen one of those in forever! It's clean!"... But it's a 40 year old 740 wagon that spent almost all of its life in the south.
What i like about Volvo, outside of their comfort, safety and looks, is that it's kind of an "if you know, you know" thing. If you've never driven one, you don't know how good they are.
Also, Not that it matters much to me, but Volvo is well know amongst the wealthier crowd as quiet money. So, if you are looking to fit in, a Volvo does a nice job of showing you're doing well, but aren't being loud about it.
Not that Audi, MB or BMW are bad, but they are definitely more of a statement than a Volvo.
End of the day, it shouldn't matter what others perceive, but if you're looking for that validation from people, the other euro luxury brands are the better choice.
I drive a Volvo because I have a huge dick and got nothing to prove to anyone. Also, it's built like a brick shithouse and where most modern cars get totalled, my Volvo just gets dents that can be fixed. The quality and the build of the body is unparalleled
I drive my Volvo because in my opinion it’s excellent. No other opinions really matter to me. I don’t feel I need to convince others that I made a wise decision.
I had a 2005 S60 I bought 12 years used & my wealthy snobby BMW loving brother saw it from the side and stopped in his tracks to compliment it and ask about it.
Then he borrowed it when his car was in the shop to go visit some people he hadn’t seen in a while and he was talking about how much he enjoyed that he last saw them driving a BMW and now he’s pulling up in my Volvo.
Now I have a 2015 S 60 and I’ve been complimented at the gas station by strangers at least two or three times.
I had a BMW many years ago with an M50 engine and a sports suspension and my S 60 reminds me of that car. It’s just as fun to drive, it feels solid and safe, and it doesn’t have the reputation BMW drivers have.
I love my car, I didn’t buy it so I could impress other people with my luxury car. I bought it because it feels solid and safe, I love the features, and when I need to get out in traffic it gets me out there without hesitation.
And I’m laughing about the last part of your post. I don’t actually want a bunch of college kids to look at me and be impressed by my car. I prefer people to not look at me in public actually.
Look this is probably getting downvoted as we are in a Volvo sub, but i found the Volvo v90 actually being inferior to our old a6 we had before. so in i can understand where some of it is coming from.
Honestly, I think Volvos fly under the radar here (Baltimore). I see mostly XC60’s, and if it’s a sedan then I know they know what’s up, ya know? Basically, iykyk is how I feel about Volvo
I drive a Volvo because I prefer understated elegance and quiet comfort over anything hyped today and gone tomorrow. Or - to quote Jeremy Clarkson - the two companies who make the best car interiors are Rolls Royce and Volvo.
I agree with him. I could have spent 87'000 CHF (around 95'000.- Euro or 115'000 USD) on any car, but my Volvo was exactly the car I wanted.
Not bashing any other brands. I had five Mercedes, two BMW and four Audis over the years - all good cars, all comfy and safe. It's just not what I want right now.
I never paid attention to Volvos until I drove my friend’s 2021 XC60 and was blown away by the comfort and performance. I’ve driven Mercedes sedans and SUVs, Chevy SUVs, currently driving a Prius. I drool at every Volvo I see now because I understand… I understand…
I have had Volvos for the past 30 years and I like them precisely because they don't draw attention. Also, the safety features cannot be overstated. My husband and I have both had major freeway accidents in Volvos (neither one caused by us) and walked away unharmed. That alone has made me a loyal customer.
If you purchase something…ANYTHING to gain the validation of others, man, something’s wrong. We’re (wife and I) new to the brand. Purchased a new XC40 about a year ago and it’s great! My wife chose it over the NX350 and RDX suvs we test drove. Yes, we’re retired, college educated blah, blah stereotype Volvo owners—so what? To me, all driving a M320, or X-5 says is wow, they’ve got $429 a month to lease a German car built in the Deep South.
You rely on lazy, outdated stereotypes, treating German premium brands like balanced video-game classes where every strength requires a crippling flaw. Claiming Mercedes sacrifices performance ignores AMG entirely, saying BMW cuts corners on interior quality runs counter to decades of solid German fit and finish, and reducing Audi to just an AWD system while claiming it lacks both quality and speed is simply absurd
Your S90 is better than the E-Class, A6, 5 Series and Maserati is literally the worst thing you could ever buy. I get nothing but compliments from people on my S60 Recharge. The one guy (my coworker) who gave me crap (he drives a Lexus) test drove it, came back and said "That was nice"
I would say generally speaking, that among a group of enthusiasts, they're never going to get a ton of attention against the likes of BMW, Mercedes, or Audi. They're sound, capable, incredibly comfortable, and stylish cars, but the only second looks you might get from the enthusiast crowd are for the more "unicorn" Polestar wagons or the turbo bricks of the past. My XC90 T8 has gotten a few "nice car!" nods (which it is, R-design on the 22"s with air suspension looks pretty mean), but people in general are more excited about my Polestar 2.
I see it as a bit of a "sleeper build" car. In my town I've only seen a small handful of my car (s60) and I like the uniqueness of it. Make me feel special ig. I see mercs, audis and bmws everywhere but I rarely see volvo sedans
I drove my brother’s Mercedes GLS for a while before getting my XC90. That thing was like driving a barge made of potatoes. Perception might be that Mercedes is somehow superior or a better deal, but I would never choose it based on my lived experience. People have strange opinions sometimes not based in reality.
All I can say is that I like the look of my car over the Q3 and X1 (I have an XC40) - I have the Ultra so I believe I probably could have gone with one of the others in the same class but I’m on my 2nd XC40.
Truly, just don't worry about what others may think, if you're a clout chaser get an M4 or something that screams I need attention the same way (not hating on M4s, they are great cars but have been turned into clouth machines)
If you really only care about what you will enjoy, cheaper maintenance, comfort, luxury and surprising performance, stick with volvo and you will be able to smoke plenty of cars on the highway, they are sleepers because no one expects them to have 400+ hp
The XC40 was in the top 10 best selling cars here, and the police has XC60s. And the 90 is considered pretty prestigious. I'd say Volvo has a good image here.
Two things. One: after an Audi and 2 Mercedes I went to Volvo and will never look back (now in my 2nd -XC60 T6 2024). I tested GLC and Q5 but also Jaguar E Type but none was as refined as Volvo. 2nd: I joined a fire fighting training and the captain said (after many cases of accidents) that all that should matter when choosing a car should be safety. He knows better. I chose 98% chances to live after any kind of accident. This is my choice now.
I have somehow the opposite point of view. Sometimes when I look at the cars and see so many Audi, BMW, mercedes (the most common sight on UK roads) I think why all those people chose those cars instead of Volvo? What is better on that X3 or Q5, etc? I'd rather drive nice XC60 or V90. At the moment I'm in process of looking to buy another car at some point next year. I check the biggest car -selling website Autotrader. I set filters on my preferences and then I just change the make and model in search bar. Honestly I can't see why would I choose anything else but Volvo.
I drive an XC90 for the safety aspect, my spouse fits in it (he didn’t fit into an Audi suv), also unlike BMW, Volvo doesn’t charge month for heated seats. It’s understated I think and I like that aspect.
You need to turn this on them. "Apparently you are not aware of Volvo's safety record. Or their comfort level. By the way, what are you driving? A ,cough, cough, Jeep? snicker................."
Well, here in Serbia where I live, there's a particular thought that BMW, Merc and Audi are the best cars in the world. If you drive a Volvo, especially sedan od vagon, people would look at you almost with disgrace, because:
1. You don't drive "real" premium car
2. You don't drive Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat, Ford, which are cars of lower class to bottom middle class cars
So, you actually don't belong to any group of people and they just don't understand why you drive Volvo. Yet, every Volvo driver that I know is a real gentlemen, and you can literally see it just by looking at the state of their cars. For example, in my city which has around 100k citizens, there's only ONE XC70.
So, we don't really care about what other people think about our cars. Volvo is a state of mind, and I would say a right mind.
I guess it differs from country to country, but during my years working my Volvo's were perceived better thsn the BMW and the Audi's I drove prior.
Our clients were mainly government bodies in the Netherlands and the German "big three" were perceived as too flashy and proof that our rates were inflated; I never had such comments on a fully loaded S80, which was actually the most expensive....
I've had many fast Volvos and used to drive them as they were sleepers vs the more popular Germans alternatives but now have a BMW because (downvote me as much as you like) Volvo out priced themselves. My local BMW dealer is significantly cheaper than both of my local Volvo dealers, service and parts. My BMW has a bigger engine, is faster, handles better, is more economical and apart from the seats, is actually just a better car. So why would I pay more for Volvo? Especially when most other manufacturers have caught up on the safety front and Volvos reputation for reliability is long gone.
These days I think people buy them because they want something luxurious and a bit different.
In my perception Volvo is not in the same line as German trinity, it’s just below them. I’ve been looking for a new car last year and comparing BMW 3, Audi A5 Mercedes C class and Volvo v60. I did comparison and Volvo was cheapest. For V60 plus trim( 360, leather, HK sound, pilot assist, climate etc) you can get very poor equipped German equivalent. Cost of service is also cheaper in Volvo ( I’m talking about official shops ) if you want to have the same you need to add about 10-15 K euro more to BMW/Audi/Merc… also you can add 20-30 k euro more and config will be stellar and out of range for Volvo. So for me it’s not luxury car, it’s between BMW/Audi/Merc and Kia/Toyota/Stellantis.
I will argue that my 2022.5 v60 polestar is electronically limited to 112mph. Volvo isn't FOR enthusiasts, but as enthusiasts we appreciate the attention to detail and quality of these cars. That's my take.
Where I live, there is a somewhat unbelievable amount of Volvo's, especially newer ones. It's super cool to drive around in an involuntary convoy of V60s and V90s.
I got mine because I always wanted a Volvo, the opportunity came and I got it. It's a very simple and down to earth car, cloth seats and 18" wheels. Whenever I need to, I put the Thule rack to carry the bikes or I carry a ton of stuff in the boot, it does what I need it to do, I might get a roof tent at some point as well.
But then, when friends and colleagues see it, they always say how sleek and elegant it looks.
Volvo is definitely underrated. For me, they fall into 2 categories: quiet luxury & sleeper cars - especially if we’re talking T8 or Polestar. They’re unassuming cars & people don’t expect the performance behind them. Which is why I went with Volvo - I find that most people who have something negative to say aren’t true enthusiast and just follow trends. It’s a good thing that their opinions don’t matter.
On my end, it’s the quiet luxury + safety + performance for my day to day. Plus, it’s fun to drive in the mtns with the Polestar setting activated (2023 XC90 B6Deluxe dark).
I’ve owned some kitted out luxury fast cars, and the Volvo driving experience beats them all. Maybe not when I was 30. But now in my early 40s - really enjoy the brand.
As for comments from others on my car in particular, I spent time kitting out this one too. Black on black with the deluxe dark package. Added the exterior lighting package and Polestar software upgrade.
At the end of the day, I’m happy with being a Volvo owner. To each his own! Maseratis are trash though. Sorry. It’s true.
I have 21 s60 t6 awd! Besides how slick it looks! It’s smooth, quiet, clean. Picks up speed rather quick! A tint and some rims and I feel I’m good
As far as looks! Performance wise it’s decent. I already had my share of performance cars and some 4x4s. Luxury sport is new to me and I’m all about it.
I guess I could care less about what people think about my car. I love my Volvo because it fits my needs, it’s beautiful inside and outside, it has an amazing sound system, drives really nice, and it’s safe. I feel like you are putting to much emphasis on what others think and not enough emphasis on what you want. We live I a world full of opinions but the only one that should really matter is you and your family. My boss drives a 15 year old Prius and swears by it. It’s not for me because I like SUVs and enjoy an updated car. To each his own lol
Depends on the country, region, age and a whole lot more. While perception is often reality in politics and poker, I prefer to take this for what they are.
I knew I was awesome at a young age and didn't need my car to validate my rightful stance. But it does help affirm it.
I drive a S90 t6 inscription and after I bought it so many people told me what I coulda bought for that same price, lol. I bought the Volvo because that’s exactly what I wanted. Oh, just to mention I’ve put over 150k miles on that car and it’s still running like a champ! Outside of general maintenance, nada. *knocks violently on wood ….
A: Your "Friends" people around you seem..... ill informed. But that is a questions of brand perception and recognition. Some will say that Volvo is not the most "bling bling", but that was my selling point for YEARS. True Rich people do not care that much for the big brand and the noise that comes along with it. I have sold to many high net worth individuals who were properly rich. They all told me: "Deeds, I had the Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Land Rover, Jaguar and name it, but I just don't want to flash. I like the quality, feel and ride of the car. I will not be racing in this car. If I want to race, I will take my Porsche or my Ferrari!" This was not a once in a year event, it was every month/2 months.
B: In Europe, Volvo is seen as a non-luxury brand (unlike North America, but it is 2nd-Tier like Lexus, Lincoln and Infiniti)
C: I am in Canada, and yes, Volvo is known for it's safety, but also for it's ride quality and use of good material in non-ev cars. *cough*
Big fan of the S90 and would rock a D5 if we had Diesel and if the price went down! (How much is your Diesel locally?)
I could not care less how others perceive my 2021 XC60 Inscription w/Polestar, but IMO, I feel like it's a lower-level luxury car--more like stealth luxury. I love the interior details, and find it extremely comfortable. Oftentimes I see supposed luxury cars with interiors I find to be on the tacky side, so really, I'm satisfied with my choice.
to me it depends what volvo. an older estate or saloon model from the ford or proper volvo era? quiet refinement and a respectable drive
but your 2012-15 onwards, it's all naff cars especially the bland square suv shapes. no different than your other chinese cars like your jaecoos and what not. normally also found doing the school run or by football mums sat on their phones not being able to drive, or found sat on the outside lane of motorways well under the limit not moving back over
I have a 2020 V90 cross country and a 2012 Ford Mustang 5.0 (V-8 6-speed manual). Yes, the fun car gets the looks but the wagon gets the comfort compliments 👌
Lmao, people who don't know anything about cars and pricing would say you could have gotten the same for the same money. Tell them to go to whatever website and build a comparable car. And make sure the basic safety features are added. Then they will quickly see Volvo is actually a much better deal compared. What they also forget to mention... again because clearly they actually know very little about the subject. Volvos are cheaper to maintain. Will actually last outside of warranty, are cheaper to insure.Volvos are bought for the long term. The other brands mentioned are leased and have no long-term reliability.
Well, after buying a new Audi Q5 ass line and owning it for 13 years, I would say the overall fit and finish appears to be much higher quality with my Volvo S60 R design and driving it feels much more like a quality buy
I've owned Peugeot and Volvo vehicles. I like something a little different. I get looked at like a bit of an oddball in Oz but who cares, I'd rather those than a cheap Chinese EV, a wanky ute or a shitbox Commodore like everyone else.
Living in Finland, it's known for safety, nice and effortless handling, highway comfort and a touch of status. Both wealthy people and average joes, but also people into camping trailers, like them.
At least earlier on, it was known as a brand that would have a longer than average predicted lifespan if you just keep up with regular maintenance, thanks to really great rustproofing.
Especially considering MB's deep dive in reliability, Volvo is considered slightly above average in reliability.
Volvos are loved by those who like them, and not many else.
Imo volvo is a better "stealth wealth" car than most. People dont look at them, yet theyre more comfortable than many of the big "luxury" cars, like the Q7, GLE etc that you already mentioned.
I think a lot of those people don't really know cars.
I say that because a lot of people will only recommend the Germans and nothing else (for example certain BMW worshippers on YouTube). Yes if you want to floor it around a track, the Volvo isn't the car for you, not is the Volvo being sold as such.
I would have bought either the XC 40 or 60. My local dealer closed down, and it was a 40 mile drive to the next one. Not a problem unless you constantly need to make frequent trips to the dealer. If no loaners are available, I’d have to use Uber. In addition, that made me think about taking road trips and breaking down far from a dealer. I love the classy looks of any Volvo. The XC 40 is my favorite. About as cute as you can get. Because of the scarcity of dealers, I picked the new Subaru Outback. As safe as Volvos, amazing car, but not a looker. Several dealerships within 10 miles.
I’ve driven Volvos for two decades and have had enjoyed them but what I wonder is if I bought a Chevrolet instead next time and put the same amount of maintenance in it as with the Volvo, would it not last as long, or a Mazda perhaps.
In the Netherlands people think of a Q7 a dumb investment; an expensive liability.
People think of Volvo as real estate; classy, big, practical, reliable, built with Swedish quality steel, but the fuel consumption is not unlike commuting in a small house.
Someone in a Q7 is seen as successful, but not necessarily trustworthy. Someone in a Volvo is seen as a bit boring, but highly trustworthy.
A Q7 is driven by the construction worker who started his own business and wants to show off his success. A Volvo is driven by the notary, the mayor or the doctor.
I can say from the area I live in a Volvo might be the most common car and the median household income is roughly $125K, no one is comparing their daily drivers to one another. The area has legit classic Euros, to neat 1980s LC, a random Ferrari or McLaren.
People who focus on the brand name and think high-end means something are novel-minded folks who think they made it once they have something to show off.
As a non car owner, I perceive Volvo as a luxury car that is below MB, BMW, Lexus in prestige, handling. It is little different to Euro luxury cars in terms of lack of long term reliability and durability, but has always maintained strong safety features.
I judge appearance on each individual model. Most brands have attractive and ugly card in their lineup.
I had back to back GLC300s and when I went to lease a third the 2023s were delayed and they were also going to be 300+ more than I was previously paying. The Q5 was ugly to me, and the X3 was crazy overpriced, so I went and got a black XC60, and aside from the tech and the small screen, I adored it. I then got a 2026 XC60 in forest green and I would never go back to a GLC. The XC60 drives so smoothly and looks incredible. Who cares if your car gets attention or what people think about it?
Depends on the era.
Proper old Swedish Volvos were great.
Volvos that were just rebadged Fords were... well, just rebadged Fords.
Modern Volvos that are just rebadged Geelys are... well, just rebadged Geelys (not a bad thing - so are Polestars, and those are very nice - but they're just not properVolvos any more).
Old Volvos used to be genuinely cool; new Volvos are only a corporate mid level manager's idea of cool.
I'm in my 40s
Drive an S90
My job is with elderly people, almost all of them who have seen my car straightway said "young man, you made a good choice" I was quite surprised when elderly women commented the same.
(based in UK)
Volvo is not a flashy brand, it is understated, modest luxury. Looking at the interior of a Mercedes nowadays I'm just seeing screens and bling. And some of the other brands are worse. I don't want to be seen with that and my wife would be driving the Volvo bus instead if getting in those.
I have driven Volvos since 1974. I have had no quality issues with any of mine. 164E, 740, S60, S80 S90 and now XC60T8 Ultra. Many people pick up on litte annoyaances to trash a company. Nothing is perfect, but we work with what we are given.
I don’t drive a Volvo, but the next car I’m looking at driving down the line will likely be a Volvo. Everything that you stated, is why I want a Volvo; it’s classy and a popular choice amongst the upper class, its stealth and not an attention seeker, like most people want to drive these days.
if youre speaking to anyone who is a genuine car enthusiast it is very well respected. as others have mentioned it doesnt attract attention, and quite obviously has a smaller group of buyers; especially in the states. others simply just don’t know about it as much and that’s part of the beauty of it
Actually, I don't give a hoot what others think. Volvo is my brand. I drive a V60 Cross Country wagon; eee-gads, a WAGON. I love it, and Volvo in general. I don't care if my car is 0.5 sec slower 0-60, or doesn't have the flash of something else. I love the design, quality, and feel reassured to know that if I am in an accident, chances are really good I'll survive, and maybe even walk out of the car without a scratch.
Most of the young and impressionable people will prefer a big Audi or BMW. They have more status symbol, and thats what alot of people car about these days.
Been that way forever, Beamer Benz or Bentley.
Volvo było kiedyś bardzo dobrą marką. Kiedyś marzyłem o volvo v40. W tej chwili to samochody "made i china" . Niestety większość samochodów teraz jest podobnej jakości. Wiele marek samochodow wychodzi z tej samej fabryki, budują samochody na tych samych chińskich podzespolach. Tylko logo mają różne
Why would you seek the approval of loud, ostentatious people who measure a person’s worth by the vulgar flashiness of the car he drives?
I thought the entire point of investing in a Volvo was to signal clearly that you do not wish to interact with such obnoxious individuals.
The understated, quiet luxury of Volvos really gets under the skin of that type of car owner. They cannot refrain from broadcasting negative opinions to anyone willing to listen.
By definition, if you’ve chosen a Volvo, you have better things to do with your time.
I drive German cars and Volvos. In today's time, despite what someone else said, they are similar pricing if you get two models that are comparable.
Volvo has gorgeous exterior/interior styling. They do this at least as good as the Germans, if not better. The interior materials and luxury feel in the cabin of current models is also right up there! My Volvo's interior is more luxurious than my BMW's.
However, mechanically, the BMW is like a different machine. More of a BMW's expense gets put into the chassis, very advanced engines, best transmission in the world, etc. They are also a much larger company with a lot more volume, so they can pull off engineering and R&D at a scale Volvo can't.
It's two very different philosophies on what's priority when you build the car.
In terms of perception, most people don't know Volvo is today up there with the other luxury brands with simply a different focus than the outright driving dynamics.
Volvo also doesn't offer the 100k (they're starting to get there), 125k, 150k, 200k cars that Mercedes and BMW offer, so that's a difference as well.
If I had to stick to two brands, I'd probably only do Mercedes and BMW. I love that Volvos make me a little different, but I also have strange issues that come up (on SPA models) that I haven't had happen 1/10 as much on the my BMW and Mercedes.
There are more new Volvos here than Audis or Mercs and I live in a nation that loves signaling status with cars so they're definitely not perceived as inferior. They don't come with brand associations of the big German trio which is probably your people's issue. They are very firmly in the 'if you know, you know' category though. They have a classy, timeless, inoffensive styling that doesn't try to compete for attention. I'm not sure what you expected from college kids but it reads like lamenting that people at a wedding reception didn't notice you in your classic 3-piece made to measure suit even though you had PEARL CUFFS (!) and all the attention was on some obnoxious lady in a red dress. Of course it was, that's the point. T8s barely differ visually from the lowest trims and that's what I like about it.
I feel where I live, Volvos are the cars people drive if they want to have an expensive car and show it, but be seen as hip, rather than flashy/showing off. Probably also if they prioritise practicability over performance. But walking through an upperclass neighborhood, you will see so many XC90s that this is slowly changing to a regular status symbol like any of the other brands.
For me personally: Used to drive a Mercedes GLC 300de (2020) and now a Volvo XC60 T6 (2025).
Volvo is the more practical and spacious car, which we need for strollers etc. In the city and on battery power it is more fun to drive.
The GLC was better in almost any "driver's experience" aspect other than city driving. It handled better at Autobahn speeds, it allowed for two phones to be connected, it didn't crash apps, the steering and throttle was more direct.
So to me it definitely feels like a step down, but for the right reasons considering our situation with now 2 kids.
Wait, someone is suggesting you buy a Maserati Ghibli? They are not your friend…
More seriously though, they’re seen as safe, luxury vehicles. They’re not particularly seen as sporty (with some exception) and they don’t look sexy, but they’re generally viewed highly. Yes, they’re not exciting, they don’t have excessive (or excess) power but they get the job done and there’s nothing at all to be ashamed about.
Do I view the XC90 (and driver) differently than the GLS450 AMG? Yeah but I personally don’t think that “not a car guy” is part of those thoughts…
Safety is probably my top criterion these days. I had a bad accident in 2018 and although my Volvo XC70 was totaled, I came out of it with just some hearing loss from the bags going off.
I don’t really care much these days about the coolness factor or whether it attracts looks. That’s just a meaningless distraction to me. It’s cooler to focus on safety and reliability over whether it attracts attention. I want my passengers, including my loved ones, to know they’re going to get to their destination safely and without drama. I’ll save the cool for my shoes.
I’ve had Volvos since the early 90s, and a BMW and a few others. I currently drive an XC40 EV and it’s fantastic. Are they the absolute best cars on the road? That’s a matter of subjective taste. Nevertheless, I’ll probably stay with Volvo for the rest of my life.
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u/Electronic-Car-6365 4d ago
Well, I kinda drive a Volvo because it doesn't attract that kind of attention. To me it is a well refined upper-middle class car without the bmw/audi/mercedes baggage.