Volvo 850

132 registered in New Zealand · 1992–1998 · 51% from Sweden

The Volvo 850 is a recognisable name on New Zealand roads, with 132 registered across model years 1992 to 1998. It produces an average of 132 kW. Most are petrol-powered saloons with a 2.3L engine.

Below you'll find a complete breakdown of fuel types, body styles, drivetrain options, regional distribution, and estimated running costs. Select a specific model year to see detailed specs, buyer insights, and variant-level data for that generation of the 850.

Select Year

132 On NZ Roads
2.3L Engine
132 kW

Fuel Types

Volvo 850 fuel type breakdown: PETROL 100%.

Fleet Age Profile

How many Volvo 850 vehicles from each manufacture year are still registered in NZ. Taller bars mean more of that year on the road — better parts availability and more mechanics who know it.

Volvo 850 fleet age profile: 1994: 19, 1995: 24, 1996: 58, 1997: 21.

Drivetrain

Transmission

Volvo 850 transmissions: 4-GEAR AUTO 20%, 5-GEAR MANUAL 3%.

Engine Size

Volvo 850 engine sizes: 2.3L 42%, 2.3L 16%, 2.4L 15%, 2.0L 12%, 2.4L 11%.

Imported From

Volvo 850 imported from: Sweden 51%, Belgium 45%, Germany 2%, Japan 2%, United Kingdom 1%.

When They Arrived in NZ

When Volvo 850 vehicles were first registered in New Zealand — showing import waves and buying trends.

Volvo 850 NZ arrival timeline: 2019: 1, 2020: 1, 2021: 1, 2022: 2, 2024: 1.

Colours

RED 38 (29%)
GREEN 23 (17%)
BLUE 15 (11%)
SILVER 13 (10%)
GREY 12 (9%)
WHITE 11 (8%)
BLACK 11 (8%)
YELLOW 8 (6%)

Colours shown are approximate representations of NZTA basic colour categories, not exact manufacturer paint codes.

Where They Are in NZ

Volvo 850 regional distribution: AUCKLAND: 57, CHRISTCHURCH: 11, LOWER HUTT: 4, WELLINGTON: 3, WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY: 3.

Body Types

Similar Cars

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Holden Commodore 49,259
1978–2022 11.1 L/100km
2 Ford logo
Ford Falcon 33,206
1960–2020 11.5 L/100km
3 Toyota logo
Toyota Camry 30,957
1980–2026 7.3 L/100km
4 Toyota logo
Toyota Corolla 24,532
1956–2023 5.8 L/100km
5 Honda logo
Honda Accord 20,130
1978–2020 7.9 L/100km

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Volvo 850 are there in New Zealand?

There are 132 Volvo 850 vehicles registered in New Zealand as of March 2026, making up 0% of the total passenger fleet. Model years range from 1992 to 1998.

What body type is the Volvo 850?

The Volvo 850 is primarily classified as a saloon in the NZTA fleet register. It is also available in other body configurations: station wagon. The most common fuel type is petrol.

Are Volvo 850 cars imported or NZ-new?

51% of Volvo 850 vehicles in New Zealand originated from Sweden. A mix of NZ-new and imported vehicles make up the fleet. Check the import status and origin country for the specific year you're considering on the individual year pages.