Are Volvos Good First Cars? (6 Models – S60, S40, C30 +More)
Volvo cars are some of the safest you can find.
But there are more factors that you need to consider if you’re getting your first car.
Generally: Are Volvos Good First Cars?
Volvo made the safest cars in the past, hence the reputation.
But how much of that still holds?
Most vehicles today achieve maximum safety ratings in government crash tests.
In Consumer Reports’ 2021 reliability ranking, Volvo ranked #20 out of 28 automakers, a below-average performance that would make most shoppers take notice.
Although they are safe with solid build quality, Volvos vehicles are generally only an average choice for a first car because of their mixed credentials:
- Expensive to maintain – consistently more costly to repair and service than rivals.
- Middling fuel economy – you always want the best gas mileage possible in your daily driver.
- Low value retention – unless you’re getting, say, a 10-year-old Volvo.
- Average reliability.
- Topnotch safety ratings.
- Inexpensive to insure – some of the lowest in the luxury car segment.
Brand-new Volvos depreciate an average of 55% to 60% after five years – that is poor value retention compared to Lexus and Audis, which lose less than 50% given the same ownership period.
That said, first-car shoppers typically shop in the used car market, so the impact of depreciation is less.
For the most part, the reliability of a used vehicle is only as good as the owner’s maintenance regime.
So, if you can find a reliable Volvo with good service history and at an affordable price, you shouldn’t let rankings and awards (or the lack of them) deter you.
An affordably-priced vehicle with proven reliability is always an excellent first car.
Specific Volvo Models:
Your choice is either a decade(s)-old used Volvo or one of Volvo’s newer generation vehicles.
#1 Is a Volvo 240 a Good First Car?
The Volvo 240 is one of the last large rear-wheel-drive cars from Volvo.
If you want the cheapest used vehicle you can get your hands on, the Volvo 240 is an average first car:
- Very cheap to buy – you can get a used 240 for under $1,000.
- Lots of metal for the price you pay – old Volvos are almost built like tanks, but be mindful that they lack the safety features that cars today have.
- Reliable – if you can still find one in good health.
Some cons that make the Volvo 240 a bad first car:
- Gas guzzler – not ideal for daily drivers.
- Prohibitively expensive to repair – unless you’re mechanically handy.
- Rear-wheel-drive – not the type of drivetrain for beginner drivers in the snow or on slippery surfaces.
- Lack of driving aids – bad and potentially dangerous if you live in regions with inclement weather.
If you face an expensive repair, send it to the scrapyard and move on.
#2 Is the Volvo 940 a Good First Car?
Wagons aren’t a common sight on the streets today, but Volvo built them well in the 90s.
Like the 240, the Volvo 940 is an average choice for a first car, if you want the cheapest ride you can find and ample cargo room.
Considering its age, you risk costly repairs when it breaks.
#3 Is a Volvo C30 a Good First Car?
The C30 is a sporty hatchback, with the final model year being 2013.
It’s a two-door compact that seats four people.
Hatchbacks are typically suitable for teenagers on a small budget, but the Volvo C30 class as an average first car due to:
- Middling fuel economy – 21 city, 30 highway, and 24 combined mpg figures are no longer frugal today.
- Average reliability – mid-70s out of 100 scores on JD Power.
- Costly maintenance – $720 per year, according to RepairPal. It is high when compact cars should aim closer to half of that.
- Good visibility – the slim pillars help; a plus for beginners.
- Its diminutive dimensions – nimble around town and easy to park.
#4 Is a Volvo S40 a Good First Car?
The S40 is a compact sedan that ceased production after its 2011 model year.
Compared to the smaller dimensions of the C30, the Volvo S40 works better (although not great) as a first car:
- Ample safety features – antilock disc brakes, traction control, and stability control.
- Mediocre gas mileage – similar 24 mpg combined as the C30 hatchback, but the S40 is a sedan.
- Average safety ratings – NHTSA rated the 2010 model year 4/5 stars; before the more-strenuous 2011 crash test procedures.
- Subpar reliability – depending on model year.
- Costly maintenance – it may share parts with Ford and Mazda, but Volvo-specific parts will be expensive to replace.
#5 Is a Volvo S60 a Good First Car?
The S60 is a stylish premium compact sedan with more than two decades of history in the US market.
Its larger sibling, the S90, is too large for a first-time driver to maneuver comfortably around town, but the S60 has the ideal size.
Volvos have a reputation for building safe vehicles, but the S60’s mediocrity in some aspects holds it back from becoming a leading choice for a first car:
- Average gas mileage – combined mpg in the mid-20s.
- Expensive to maintain – an average of $750 per year is more than most rivals (see the comparison with competitors below).
- Excellent crash safety – full marks in the IIHS and NHTSA crash tests.
- Plenty of driving aids – class-competitive offerings; ideal for young drivers.
- Comfortable interior – a consideration since you’re shopping for a premium car.
Still, the Volvo S60 is a fine car on its own merits, and a good choice in the premium sedan segment, but other more compelling options are available.
Which Volvo S60 Year Is Best as First Cars?
S60s are typically very safe vehicles, so which is the better model year for your first car?
Table Guide:
- Safety (IIHS): 1 (poor) to 4 (good); IIHS tests average.
- Safety (NHTSA): 1 (poor) to 5 (safest); NHTSA overall.
- Fuel Economy: mpg city/highway/combined (base model).
- Reliability: /100; higher = fewer problems (JD Power).
| Model Year | Safety (IIHS) | Safety (NHTSA) | Fuel Econ. | Reliability |
| 2022 S60 | 4/4 | 5/5 | 26/35/30 | 77/100 |
| 2021 S60 | 4/4 | 5/5 | 23/34/27 | 77/100 |
| 2020 S60 | 4/4 | 5/5 | 23/34/27 | 78/100 |
| 2019 S60 | 4/4 | NA | 24/36/28 | 76/100 |
| 2018 S60 | 4/4 | 5/5 | 25/36/29 | 75/100 |
| 2017 S60 | 4/4 | 5/5 | 25/36/29 | 80/100 |
| 2016 S60 | 4/4 | 5/5 | 26/37/30 | 81/100 |
| 2015 S60 | 4/4 | 5/5 | 25/36/29 | 77/100 |
| 2014 S60 | 4/4 | 5/5 | 21/30/24 | 78/100 |
| 2013 S60 | 4/4 | 5/5 | 21/30/24 | 78/100 |
| 2012 S60 | 4/4 | 5/5 | 20/30/23 | 78/100 |
| 2011 S60 | 4/4 | NA | 18/26/21 | 79/100 |
| 2010 S60 | NA | NA | NA | NA |
The Volvo S60, across its model years, are safe vehicles, although their reliability is mediocre.
If you want your S60 to have the best possible gas mileage, skip the 2014 and older models.
Further, the 2001 and 2012 Volvo S60s are problematic and have the most owner complaints.
Volvo S60 Compared with Similar Vehicles
The S60 has stiff competition from the European and Japanese automakers.
Table Guide:
- Fuel Economy: mpg city/highway/combined (base model).
- Reliability: /100; higher = fewer problems (JD Power).
- Maintenance Costs: per year avg. (RepairPal).
- Safety (IIHS): 1 (poor) to 4 (good); IIHS tests average.
- Safety (NHTSA): 1 (poor) to 5 (safest); NHTSA overall.
- Visibility: excellent, good, average, poor.
It’s common knowledge that Volvo builds safe vehicles.
Still, many cars in the premium compact segment are just as rock-solid – including the BMW 3-Series.
The Volvo S60’s mediocre reliability and high maintenance costs should make you think twice.
If you want an entry-level luxury compact sedan for your first car, the Lexus IS 300 is a strong proposition; it’s ultra-reliable and relatively cheap to maintain.
#6 Is the Volvo XC90 a Good First Car?
The XC90 has a long lifespan that began in 2003 and is still going strong.
Large premium SUVs are typically far from ideal first vehicles for teenagers.
But if you need the third-row seat and have the budget to support your choice, the Volvo XC90 can be a good first car despite the usual SUV drawbacks:
- Impeccable safety – high ratings in IIHS and NHTSA crash tests.
- The elevated seating position – a positive for new drivers.
- Excellent outward visibility – thanks to the narrow pillars and large windows.
And now its drawbacks as a first car:
- Mediocre mpg – 21 city, 30 highway, and 25 combined for the new model years.
- Powerful engine – first-time drivers don’t need V6s and V8s.
- The expensive price tag – although you can have a pre-2010 XC90 for less than $5,000.
- Costly repairs and maintenance – be prepared to shell out over $800 a year.
Comparison: Best Volvo for a First Car
See the table below on how the various Volvo models compare in the areas that matter for a first vehicle.
Table Guide:
- Safety (IIHS): 1 (poor) to 4 (good); IIHS tests average.
- Safety (NHTSA): 1 (poor) to 5 (safest); NHTSA overall.
- Visibility: excellent, good, average, poor.
- Fuel Economy: mpg city/highway/combined (base model).
- Reliability: /100; higher = fewer problems (JD Power).
- Maintenance Costs: per year avg. (RepairPal).
| Safety (IIHS) | Safety (NHTSA) | Visibility | Fuel Econ. | Reliability | Maint. Costs | |
| C30 | 4/4 | NA | Good | 21/30/24 | 74/100 | $720 |
| S40 | 3.3/4 | NA | Good | 21/30/24 | 74/100 | $693 |
| S60 | 4/4 | 5/5 | Good | 23/34/27 | 78/100 | $750 |
| XC40 | 4/4 | 5/5 | Good | 23/33/27 | 78/100 | NA |
| XC60 | 4/4 | 5/5 | Good | 22/29/24 | 76/100 | $746 |
| XC90 | 4/4 | 5/5 | Excellent | 21/30/25 | 75/100 | $851 |
If getting a safe vehicle for your first car is your top priority, most Volvos would be an excellent choice.
But if it’s reliability and cheap maintenance you’re after, the Volvos generally disappoint compared to the competition.
For reference:
- 80/100 reliability is the average.
- Most Hondas and Toyotas (excellent first cars) cost between $350 to $500 per year to maintain.
On the positive side, the XC90 provides the advantage of a high seating position common in SUVs and is a good vehicle for a first car (if you have the budget).
Additionally, its boxy, upright form, slim pillars, and large windows surrounding the cabin make the XC90 among the best SUVs for driver visibility – a crucial factor for teenagers to drive safely.
Alternative Makes to Volvo for a Teenager’s First Car
Based on the Volvo vehicles that make good first cars – notably the S60 and the SUVs – there are options aplenty:
- Lexus – IS 300, ES 350.
- Acura – TLX.
- Mazda – Mazda6.
- Audi – A3, A4.
- BMW – 330i, 3-Series in general.
If you want the safest and most reliable first car yet is inexpensive to run, opt for a vehicle from the Asian automakers.
Always do your research, inspect, and test drive before buying.
References:
