Known for their safety, Volvo cars have a reputation for strength. As it turns out, that strength applies to more than just crash test ratings. The latest Volvo S60 is also one of the most reliable luxury cars available today. And as always, the smallest Volvo is also one of the brand’s most underrated vehicles.

New data puts the Volvo S60 in the top-five most reliable luxury cars

These days, most cars are pretty reliable. It’s not unusual for a modern car to break the 150,000-mile mark with little more than routine oil changes and maybe a water pump along the way.

The Volvo, though, takes this a step further. In a study looking at used cars capable of eclipsing the 200,000-mile threshold, the Volvo ranked fourth of all luxury cars included. That’s a solid showing for a brand that is mainly known for its snowy road prowess and advanced safety features.

Volvo’s suspension engineering is designed with Swedish winters in mind. That means there is inherent reliability included from day one. From there, maintenance and road conditions will affect the dependability of individual cars. However, the S60 has the chops to hold up better than most.

Moreover, the iSeeCars study doesn’t delineate between engine types. Included are the base 2.0-liter turbo, the twin-charged turbo, and even the plug-in hybrid variant. Better yet, the study looks mostly at used cars, so even the last-generation Volvo S60 looks tobe reliable over the long term.

Overall, Volvo S60 reliability is bested by just three rivals from two brands. The Lexus-branded Toyota powertrains are no surprise in the first and second spots. And the Mercedes-Benz S-Class ranks third, though it is in a completely different tax bracket than the surrounding models.

Modern luxury cars are proving more reliable

Across the board, luxury cars are more reliable now than they have ever been. As technology advances, the last of the gas-powered luxury sedans are the most reliable models over the last decade.

Aside from the Toyota-bred Lexus models, luxury cars haven’t always had the best track record for reliability. This is especially true of the German contingent, where cars from Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and BMW have often been over-engineered.

Meanwhile, the Scandinavian brand has always held a reputation for being reliable. The Swedish landscape is a harsh testbed for any car, and as such, Volvo has produced a long list of reliable luxury cars, including the S60.

That tradition hasn’t dimmed with the advent of new technologies. If anything, the latest Volvo lineup is the most reliable yet, even as Volvo becomes a legitimate luxury car contender.

How much are used Volvo S60 models in 2023?

Depending on the year and mileage, clean examples can go for anywhere from $15,000 to $28,000. That’s not bad for a compact luxury car, and the Volvo S60 has is reliable enough to be a good option.

As always, doing your own research and a pre-purchase inspection can help ward off any issues from neglected maintenance. Overall though, a used Volvo S60 offers both a luxury experience and reliability that combine for a good value.