These Volvos make compelling buys on the used market

By: CAR magazine

Since available stock on the new-vehicle market is currently limited thanks to pandemic-related production interruptions and global shortages of parts such as semiconductors, activity in the used-car sphere is rising sharply. While the simple laws of supply and demand are inevitably prompting price hikes in this sector, there are still some products that provide strong value.

One marque that includes such vehicles is Volvo, which is able to arrange suitable vehicle finance on its used cars via Volvo Selekt, such is the trust it places in its products. So, using AutoTrader’s variant-level data for the first eight months of 2021, we’ve picked out which of the Swedish firm’s wares present particularly appealing value in the used-car space.

Though no longer available on the new market with production having ended back in 2019, the Volvo V40 is a compelling yet sometimes overlooked premium midsize hatchback. While AutoTrader’s figures show that the V40 model range as a whole has an attractive average list price of just R240 000, it’s worth looking at the punchy but frugal D3 in Momentum trim, which features a fresher average registration year (in this case, 2017), average mileage of under 70 000km and an average list price of about R310 000.

Should you be in the market for a large executive sedan, the Volvo S90 boasts understated styling, a luxurious (and rather spacious) cabin and a range of power output options. The D4 (which is among the most efficient diesels on the local market, with a claimed figure of just 4.4 litres per 100km) looks especially tempting, with the generous R-Design specification bearing an average registration year of 2018, average mileage of under 40 000km and an average list price of R520 000 (the latter undercutting the broader S90 model range’s average of R600 000-plus).

Those keen on an SUV, meanwhile, have a wider choice, from the compact XC40 to the flagship XC90. Perhaps the most compelling option, however, falls bang in the middle: the Volvo XC60. Again, the D4 is one of the go-to powertrains here, delivering an enviable balance of performance and fuel efficiency. In Volvo’s mid-tier Inscription form, the average list price is about R375 000 and the average mileage sub-90 000km, with the average registration year coming in at 2017. Should you prefer the latest XC60 shape and even lower mileage, the D4 Momentum is a great choice, offering all-wheel drive, a 2021 average registration year and an average list price of under R780 000.

All of the variants above share lengthy lists of standard safety equipment (and class-topping scores in the world’s toughest safety tests), with Volvo well known for its innovation on that front. Ultimately, each represents plenty of car for the money.

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