Last updated: 2026-10-10
Land Rover vs Volvo: Which Make Is More Reliable?
Land Rover
2 models tracked
Volvo
5 models tracked
Volvo beats Land Rover on used-car reliability by a wide margin, with far fewer owner complaints per car sold and fewer recalls. Land Rover's Defender 110 is its one strong spot, while the Range Rover Sport pulls the brand down.
Is Land Rover More Reliable Than Volvo?
| Metric | Land Rover | Volvo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 58/100 | 70/100 |
| Models Tracked | 2 | 5 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 100 | 28 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 472 | 136 |
Land Rover Models
2 models ranked by reliability
Land Rover vs Volvo: The Verdict
Reliability favors Volvo by a large gap. Its standing is good across all five tracked models, while Land Rover's is mixed. Owners filed 4.2 complaints per 1,000 cars sold for Land Rover and 1 for Volvo. Land Rover also carries more recalls, 200 to 141, and more fires, 17 to 6.
Volvo is stronger on complaint severity, repair costs and recall impact. Problems spread across systems about evenly, and electrical faults top both complaint lists. Crash complaints are level at 33 each. Land Rover's trend is improving and Volvo's is stable, but that improvement does not close this gap.
Where Land Rover and Volvo Differ Most
| Component | Weight | Land Rover | Volvo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 50/100Mixed | 67/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 40/100Mixed | 66/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 64/100Good | 73/100Good |
| 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 (58/100 average)
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
Volvo
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (70/100 average)
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- 5 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:
| Category | Land Rover | Volvo | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUVs(1 vs 3 models) | 60/100 | 69/100 | Volvo |
| Sedans(1 vs 2 models) | 57/100 | 70/100 | Volvo |
Volvo wins 2 out of 2 shared categories.
Common Problems: Land Rover vs Volvo
| Component | Land Rover | Volvo |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 29%244 | 35%180 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 12%100 | 13%70 |
| POWER TRAIN | 12%99 | 5%26 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 11%94 | 4%21 |
| STEERING | 8%66 | 5%28 |
| ENGINE | 8%70 | 2%13 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1%10 | 12%62 |
| STRUCTURE | 4%30 | 3%18 |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 0%2 | 7%39 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 4%35 | 0%2 |
Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.
Land Rover vs Volvo Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Land Rover
33
Crash reports
17
Fire reports
42
Injury reports
Volvo
33
Crash reports
6
Fire reports
35
Injury reports
Every Land Rover and Volvo Model Ranked
Land Rover Models
Land Rover vs Volvo Reliability Trend by Year
Land Rover's reliability is improving — recent model years average 67/100, up from earlier years. Volvo's reliability has been stable.
| Model Year | Land Rover | Volvo | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 70/100(2) | 75/100(4) | Volvo |
| 2025 | 64/100(2) | 74/100(4) | Volvo |
| 2024 | 64/100(2) | 69/100(4) | Volvo |
| 2023 | 55/100(2) | 65/100(5) | Volvo |
| 2022 | 56/100(2) | 70/100(4) | Volvo |
| 2021 | 56/100(2) | 66/100(4) | Volvo |
| 2020 | 42/100(1) | 71/100(5) | Volvo |
| 2019 | 56/100(1) | 69/100(5) | Volvo |
| 2018 | 47/100(1) | 71/100(3) | Volvo |
Models tracked per year in parentheses.
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:
Who Should Buy Land Rover vs Volvo?
If you want the fewest surprises, shop Volvo. Start with the XC60 and target the 2021 model year. Skip the 2022, which draws the most complaints. The S60 and S90 sedans also rate good. Treat the XC40 with more care, since it trails most compact SUVs on the site. The 2020 is the year to favor, while the 2021 and 2023 suffer electrical shutdowns and a rearview camera that drops out in reverse.
Lean Land Rover only if you specifically want the Defender 110, the one model in its lineup rated good. Look for a 2024, which has far fewer complaints than the 2022 or 2023. Ask whether the windshield has cracked and whether the dash has ever shown a warning before a shutdown. The 2025 and 2026 are too new to judge. Skip Range Rover Sport cars from 2018 and 2020, which draw the most serious complaints. If you want one anyway, the 2024 is the year to favor.
The Bottom Line: Land Rover or Volvo?
Buy Volvo unless the Defender 110 is the exact vehicle you want. The XC60 is the strongest single pick across both lineups, with a good rating and repair costs below the class average. Volvo models average $831 a year in estimated repairs. The data gives no matching Land Rover figure, but Volvo is rated stronger on cost. Avoid the Range Rover Sport unless it is a 2024.
Land Rover vs Volvo: Common Questions
Is Land Rover more reliable than Volvo?
Which brand has more recalls, Land Rover or Volvo?
Is Volvo cheaper to repair than Land Rover?
What goes wrong most often on Land Rover and Volvo?
Which Land Rover model is the safest used buy?
Comparing Land Rover vs Volvo? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
Related Make Comparisons
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How we score Land Rover and Volvo models
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.