Overview & Reviews

Swedish-born Volvo has long been a forerunner in safety research, and its vehicles have the crash test scores to prove it. These days, the brand has improved its offerings by crafting vehicles that also offer generous amounts of style and performance.

In Latin, the word "Volvo" means "I roll." Volvo cars have been rolling ever since 1927, when the first vehicle (nicknamed "Jakob") was produced in the city of Gothenburg. The company's founders, Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larsson, put an emphasis on safety, and that dictum still holds true today. The Jakob was joined by the six-cylinder PV651 in 1929, and by 1931, more than 10,000 Volvos had been produced.

Postwar, Volvo unveiled one of its biggest successes, the PV444. By the 1950s, Volvo had begun exporting cars to the U.S., and the PV444 — with its compact size and stylish looks — helped the manufacturer quickly make a name for itself in its new territory. The decade also saw Volvo building on its reputation for being a vanguard in the area of safety; it was the first manufacturer to make vehicles with a three-point safety belt.

The 1960s saw the launch of a new Volvo sports car, the P1800. The car's sculpted good looks helped earn it celebrity status when it was featured on the long-running TV series The Saint, with Roger Moore behind the wheel. Safety features grew more advanced during this decade and Volvo was again at the forefront of the action, offering features such as padded dashboards and energy-resistant crumple zones in front and rear.

Volvo distinguished itself as the exclusive home to a number of valuable new technologies during the 1970s. If you were looking for safety features such as childproof locks, collapsible steering columns and rear-facing child seats during this decade, you'd only find them in a Volvo.

Like BMWs and Saabs, Volvos became an American "yuppie" favorite during the 1980s. The company proved its technological know-how wasn't just limited to safety when it rolled out its first turbocharged car. By the end of the decade, Volvo had unveiled new models like the front-wheel-drive 480 hatchback (for Europe) and the Italian-designed 780 coupe.

In the early '90s, Volvo launched the 850. The car was Volvo's first front-wheel-drive executive car, and teamed performance with the company's trademark attention to safety. The decade also saw Volvo rolling out new models like the S40 and C70 — cars that updated the automaker's boxy image with a more rounded, sculpted aesthetic. The company became part of the Ford family when it was acquired by the automaker in 1998. Ford helped Volvo financially, while Volvo provided Ford with new safety technologies and car platforms. Due to Ford's financial troubles during the American recession, however, Ford sold Volvo to the Chinese automaker Geely in 2010.

It's unknown how Volvo's new owner will guide the brand long term, but chances are Volvo will continue to offer sedans, coupes and SUVs known for their combination of safety and driving excitement.

User Reviews:

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  Prepare Yourself :-( - 2000 Volvo S80
  By shouldveboughtahonda - June 5 - 10:00 am

  Had Hondas my whole life and wanted to move up. Mistake. Great car if you can get it cheap and know a Volvo technician. Currently at 68K miles. Transmission replaced at 52K. Battery died during that time. Needs new rotors ($$$) each 40K miles. Replaced throttle control unit and sensor. Countless new lightbulbs. Replaced ignition antenna. Volvo Service at Dealerships are great......they have to be! READ EDMUNDS MAINTENANCE GUIDE for TSBs!!! Next car will be a Honda.

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  Would I buy another Volvo? - 1998 Volvo S70
  By bkt - June 4 - 8:56 pm

  I bought this car because I wanted a sturdy car and one that would last. I have had good luck with this car and as long as Ive performed the maintenance I havent had any problems. Maintenance can be expensive at the dealership. I have a certified mechanic that only works on Vovlvo. I have no doubt I will drive this car for 3 more years and then pass it on to my 16 year old son. I wold buy another Vovlo in a minute if I wanted to shell out that kind of money.

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  Nice, but bought the Q7 - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Kevin - May 31 - 10:59 pm

  It looks fantastic inside and out and has wonderful features including safety - Volvos namesake. Interior is truly wonderful. We almost bought it. The technology is not intuitive and quite tricky to use - wonky touch pad and too many screens. The 4-cyl engine is buzzier than competitors smoother 6-cyl options. And the dealership is not the same from a service/experience standpoint as other European options.

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  too technical for its own good - 2005 Volvo XC70
  By rubinnyc - May 24 - 3:56 pm

  After years of drivng suvs I decided to try the xc70. considering i drive nearly 30k a year, reliabilty is an issue to me. i have to say i am somewhat disappointed so far. car is 2 yrs old and have replaced a/c unit, a rear whell hub bearing, etc etc

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  S60R 6spd - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Turboguru - May 24 - 9:20 am

  I bought this car in December of 08, only 4 months later and the car has been in the shop more than Ive had it. Countless little problems, and several Major problems, costing over $3000. Im afraid to drive the car cause I never know when its gonna break next. The turning radius stinks, and it makes random noises. But its leather is top notch, sound system is great when it works, it looks amazing, accelerates great.

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  Just too many problems... - 2002 Volvo S80
  By Craig1024 - May 22 - 2:00 am

  I got mine in November 1999. I have not had 6 months of trouble free motoring since then. The electrical problems simply wont quit. The check engine light has a mind of its own; you never know whether its going to be on or off. I have also had power steering, washer and turn signal problems.

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  236 hp on highways; 36 otherwise - 2000 Volvo S70
  By Alibaba - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Car is very luxurious. The interior cannot be more than that. Bugs me that it is slow on picking up in town. Mostly due to its sport suspension which slows it down. Great on saving money; gas and insurance.

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  Volvo for life? Not hardly- - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Ellen C - May 18 - 2:00 am

  To those of you who dont understand complaints many have written-count yourself lucky. I bought mine pre- certified with 18k miles, and 2k miles later the nightmare began. Too many trips to the garage for problems with the emission,electrical and brake systems,etc. Just towed it because it wouldnt go out of park(cable problem). Love driving it when its not in the shop every 6 weeks,but it has to go! Contacted dealership-value on trade-in is less than half what I paid 2 yrs ago. So much for Volvos retaining their value! Dealership admitted 99 model was released into production before it was ready. My advice-stay away-with or without the extended warranty.

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  Good Deal and unique - 2004 Volvo S40
  By jonR - May 8 - 10:00 am

  Just bought the car yesterday for about 1100 under invoice. We had a sudden need for another car and wanted something economical that still had a little panache. Looked at Hondas, Toyotas, et cetera. Weve had a couple of BMWs including a competing 3 series. I dont really expect the same level of performance, comfort, or resale but the Volvo was about $10K less and I just think it has cool - unique (perhaps a little quirky) styling. I am expecting to like it very much and give it to my 13 year old daughter in a few years. jr

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  Too bad - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Allison - May 6 - 10:00 am

  We bought this car because my husband has always had Volvos. Well hed never had one like this! Weve had major repairs that have cost big money. From the turbo clip, to the gas cover, to a transmission update ($1400!) which didnt fix the problem. We were just told the transmission is about to go so we have to get out from under this money pit. In a little over a year we have spent close to $3000. It looks like 60,000 is the magic mileage for this Volvo. Once you hit that, be prepared to have it in the shop every three months.