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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  I prefer my 240 - 2001 Volvo V70
  By tkschaff - January 17 - 1:06 pm

  Weve been a Volvo family for several years, and when we saw the new body style, we knew we had to have one. Its a beautiful car, but the reliability of the newer Volvos leaves a lot to be desired. Weve had transmission problems from almost day one. Its a certified car, so that was our only saving grace. We had to have several software upgrades for the transmission, and the last time it was in, I was told that if this didnt "fix" the problem, I would be the proud owner of a new transmission on a vehicle with 65,000 miles on it. My independent mechanic told me to avoid all Volvos newer than 99 until they work out the bugs. Ill stick with my 240.

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  great features, poor reliability - 2000 Volvo V70
  By azxcr Paul - January 9 - 10:00 am

  Well, we are happy with the design and capacity, but it has been a major mechanical headache! Look closely at Volvos used car reputation before you buy one and definitely get all the maintenance records. We have had engine problems (two pcv valves, gasket oil leak, numerous errorneous check engine lites), disc brake replacement (rear), electric lock issues (master actuator replaced 2x), steering noises (lube, lube, lube), and 2 minor recalls. After much complaining, Volvo offered to take the vehicle back off lease IF we bought another NEW Volvo at dealer cost. No way!

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  Uneven Likeability - 2001 Volvo V70
  By sbe79 - January 7 - 9:20 am

  I have V70 T5 model. It has 147K on it. I have to say that I really, really like the car. I just dont enjoy the difficulties that come along with it. It drives, mostly, great. I like the way it handles. It may be a station wagon, but its still an interesting car. The leather interior is miles better than Volvo was using in the 90s. However, the transmission had to be rebuilt before I even got it off the used dealership lot. One year later, it struggles to go from 1st to 2nd gear in the morning. The drivers side control panel on the door works infrequently (so most of the time, my window wont go down and I cant lock the doors remotely). Mechanic cant find the issue.

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  Troubled C70 - 2008 Volvo C70
  By Randy - December 24 - 10:40 am

  I chose the C70 over an Audi due to the hardtop. I have had it in the shop seven times and 90 days since May 08 for roof issues. Fortunately none of them have been major, but a major inconvenience on my time. My biggest problem has been getting anyone from Volvo corporate to give me a call to discuss some kind of resolution.

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  S60 High maintenance - 2002 Volvo S60
  By steve - December 23 - 5:06 pm

  Did you know the Volvo dealership considers your 100K mile S60 high mileage? Once this car hits 100K, it falls apart. Transmissions will fail no matter how well you maintain it. $4500. Road noise even with high dollar tires. You can forget trying to do any of your own maintenanve. $1700 for brake pads and rortor? Good gosh. Did not realize a 5 cyl turbo could be such an underperformer either. No more Volvos for me.

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  Massive Mistake - 2007 Volvo V50
  By krgrimes - December 16 - 5:36 pm

  I begged my husband to trade in my 99 4Runner for a more stable vehicle on the highway so he got me an 07 Volvo V50. Took it on the highway and it was amazing, but then I started to notice little noises you wouldnt expect to hear in a "luxury" vehicle. Had the tires and rear brakes replaced and it got quieter but there is still noise. It is starting to get really hot in NC so Im using my A/C frequently, that is of course when the compressor wants to work. Today I put my key in the ignition and the car "immobilized" because it thought I was trying to steal my own car. On top of the grinding noise in my front wheel bearings I now have electrical problems! Do not buy one!

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  Never Again - 2008 Volvo C70
  By bruceko1 - December 11 - 9:37 am

  I purchased this car used with about 22k miles on it. It now has 36k miles. Its been in the shop twice to fix a front wheel/hub issue that impacted braking function and a third time to replace A/C compressor. A/C still doesnt work correctly and now check engine light is on. Ive owned 50 plus vehicles before this one. Ive never had a vehicle that required so much time in the shop. So 4 times in the shop in 14,000 miles. Cant wait for the next 14. Ill be dumping this pc of junk before the warranty expires.

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  bye Volvo - 1998 Volvo V70
  By little_blaine - December 10 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car new in 1998 for almost $40000 including a third row seat, taxes etc. Im about to trade it in for $5000 (if Im lucky). The repairs that this car has needed are incredible - leaks from everywhere, shot turbocharger, A/C, broker power locks, busted ABS, "Check Engine" light on constantly, failed inspection multiple times, burns lights, brakes and tires very quickly. The car is luxurious and rides well, and handles excellently in bad weather. However, given all the problems, I would never buy a volvo again.

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  Huge Repair Costs - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Brian - November 22 - 6:50 am

  I really enjoyed the car up until the 60k mile mark. The car slowly began to fall apart. I seemed to have had a $2K+ problem every few months. Every time I thought nothing else could go wrong, it did. I really figured the car was practically new from all the dealer repair visits. Lastly, after the transmission went (repairs exceeding $12k in a 3yr period) it was time to call it quits.

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  Unreliable Volvo - 2000 Volvo S80
  By proacman - November 12 - 2:00 am

  We have had this car for two years. In that span, it has broken 15 times, for items such as suspension, electrical, mechanical and ignition.