Last updated: 2026-05-15

Land Rover vs Volvo: Which Make Is More Reliable?

Comparing Land Rover and Volvo on reliability? This page compares their scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs across every model we track.

Volvo currently leads with an average score of 69/100 compared to 56/100. Scroll down for the full breakdown.

Is Land Rover More Reliable Than Volvo?

MetricLand RoverVolvo
Avg Reliability Score56/10069/100
Models Tracked25
Avg Recalls per Model9927
Avg Complaints per Model472135

Land Rover Models

2 models ranked by reliability

Excellent Good Mixed Risky

Volvo Models

5 models ranked by reliability

S6072
S9067
Excellent Good Mixed Risky

Land Rover vs Volvo: The Verdict

If reliability is your priority, Volvo makes a stronger case than Land Rover by a wide margin. The overall picture: Land Rover scores 56/100 across 2 models, while Volvo comes in at 69/100 across 5 models — all data-driven, no bias.

Where Land Rover and Volvo Differ Most

Our reliability score is built from four weighted components. Here's how each make performs in each area:

ComponentWeightLand RoverVolvo
Complaint Severity

Owner complaints weighted by component severity

35%
50/100Mixed
66/100Good
Repair Costs

Annual maintenance and repair expenses

30%
40/100Mixed
66/100Good
Recall Impact

Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside)

20%
61/100Good
72/100Good
Issue Diversity

How many different systems have reported problems

15%
79/100Good
80/100Excellent

Dig into the components and repair costs stands out — Volvo outscores by 26 points there, which carries significant weight in the final number.

Land Rover vs Volvo: Strengths and Weaknesses

Land Rover

Strengths

  • Above-average reliability (56/100 average)
  • Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
  • Reliability trending upward in recent model years

Volvo

Strengths

  • Above-average reliability (69/100 average)
  • Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
  • 4 of 5 models rated Good or Excellent
  • Below-average repair frequency

Weaknesses

  • High maintenance costs ($831/year avg)
  • Above-average repair severity when issues occur

Land Rover vs Volvo Reliability by Vehicle Type

How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:

CategoryLand RoverVolvoWinner
SUVs(1 vs 3 models)60/10068/100Volvo
Sedans(1 vs 2 models)54/10070/100Volvo

Volvo wins 2 out of 2 shared categories.

Common Problems: Land Rover vs Volvo

Top complaint categories from NHTSA owner reports, showing what drivers report most frequently for each make:

ComponentLand RoverVolvo
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM30%24435%180
UNKNOWN OR OTHER12%10013%70
POWER TRAIN12%995%26
VISIBILITY/WIPER10%864%21
STEERING8%665%28
ENGINE8%702%13
SERVICE BRAKES2%1512%62
STRUCTURE3%263%18
BACK OVER PREVENTION0%27%39
EXTERIOR LIGHTING4%300%2

Percentage of total complaints. Raw complaint count shown below. Based on NHTSA owner reports across all tracked model years.

Land Rover vs Volvo Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries

Across all tracked models, Land Rover owners reported 32 crash-related, 17 fire-related, and 41 injury-related complaints to NHTSA. Volvo owners reported 33 crash-related, 6 fire-related, and 35 injury-related complaints. Volvo has fewer severe incident reports overall. These counts reflect owner-reported incidents and don't establish causation — but they're a useful signal for comparing safety profiles.

Land Rover

32

Crash reports

17

Fire reports

41

Injury reports

Volvo

33

Crash reports

6

Fire reports

35

Injury reports

Every Land Rover and Volvo Model Ranked

All tracked models ranked by average reliability score. Click any model for detailed year-by-year data.

Land Rover vs Volvo Reliability Trend by Year

Average reliability score for each model year, showing how quality has trended over time:

Land Rover's reliability is improving — recent model years average 64/100, up from earlier years. Volvo's reliability has been stable.

Model YearLand RoverVolvoEdge
202564/100(2)74/100(4)Volvo
202464/100(2)69/100(4)Volvo
202355/100(2)65/100(5)Volvo
202256/100(2)70/100(4)Volvo
202156/100(2)66/100(4)Volvo
202042/100(1)71/100(5)Volvo
201956/100(1)69/100(5)Volvo
201847/100(1)71/100(3)Volvo

Number in parentheses = models tracked for that year. Scores are averages across all tracked models.

Land Rover vs Volvo: Head-to-Head Model Matchups

These are direct competitor models between Land Rover and Volvo. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:

The Bottom Line: Land Rover or Volvo?

If reliability is a top priority, Volvo deserves serious consideration over its rival.

If you want the single most reliable option: the Volvo XC60 leads both lineups with a score of 74/100.

All scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data combined with independent repair cost databases. Check individual model pages for year-specific reliability data before making a final decision.

Land Rover vs Volvo: Common Questions

Is Land Rover more reliable than Volvo?
Based on our data, Volvo is more reliable overall with an average reliability score of 69/100 compared to 56/100. That's a meaningful difference worth weighing in your decision.
Which make has more recalls, Land Rover or Volvo?
On a per-model average, Land Rover has more recalls (~99 per model) compared to Volvo (~27 per model). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — many are minor or preventative.
What are the most reliable models from Land Rover and Volvo?
The most reliable Land Rover model is the Defender 110 (avg score: 60/100), while the most reliable Volvo model is the XC60 (avg score: 74/100).
What are the least reliable models from Land Rover and Volvo?
The least reliable Land Rover model is the Range Rover Sport (avg score: 54/100), while the least reliable Volvo model is the XC40 (avg score: 58/100). Check individual model pages for year-specific data before ruling these out.
What are the most common problems with Land Rover and Volvo vehicles?
The most frequently reported issue for Land Rover is electrical system (30% of complaints), while for Volvo it's electrical system (35% of complaints). These are based on NHTSA owner complaint data across all tracked models.
How many Land Rover and Volvo models does Auto Reliability Index track?
We track 2 Land Rover models across 8 model years and 5 Volvo models across 8 model years. Scores are based on NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and independent repair cost data.
Which make has fewer owner complaints, Land Rover or Volvo?
On a per-model average, Volvo has fewer owner complaints (~135 per model) compared to Land Rover (~472 per model). Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.
Are Land Rover and Volvo getting more or less reliable?
Based on recent model year data, Land Rover reliability is improving while Volvo reliability is stable. We compare average scores across the most recent 3 model years to determine the trend direction.
Which is better for a first-time car buyer, Land Rover or Volvo?
For first-time buyers prioritizing reliability, Volvo has a slight edge with its higher average score. However, specific model choice matters more than make — check individual model pages for the best options in your budget and vehicle type.
Which make has fewer safety-related complaints, Land Rover or Volvo?
Volvo has fewer owner-reported crashes, fires, and injuries in our database. Land Rover has 32 crash reports, 17 fire reports, and 41 injury reports. Volvo has 33 crash, 6 fire, and 35 injury reports. Note that complaint volume correlates with sales volume.

Comparing Land Rover vs Volvo? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

1

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

4

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

  • 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
  • 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
  • 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
  • 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.