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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  Ditto - 1998 Volvo V70
  By gerry100 - September 11 - 10:00 am

  Weve had almost all of the problems described in the above posts, plus the one year only emissions airpump, warped rear rotors and tire consumption. Its very disappointing in a $36K car. We actually want to love this car because when everything is working its a wonderful, safe comfortable car. If Volvo had actually stepped up and taken responsibility for their design and quality mistakes instead of trying to gouge us customers from the 90s boom they may have developed some loyalty. As it is, theyve created a growing demand for Subarus.

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  Hi Mileage Used - So Far So Good - 2002 Volvo S60
  By c j - September 9 - 10:00 am

  Bought an 02 S60 T5 from a non-Volvo dealer 6 mos ago. Had high mileage but the price was right. Turns out it had a busted fuel filter that went undetected pre-purchase too - but fortunately I got it fixed under recall. That said, its been extremely reliable, comfortable and a pleasure to drive. It does have a major design flaw in that the front tires rub against the frame if you attempt tight turns into/out of parking spaces. I find this to be minor. Overall I am very satisfied. I expect that when things go wrong they will be expensive, but so far this car is in great shape @ 143k miles

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  Consistent 32 mpg and fun - 2002 Volvo S40
  By Cban - September 6 - 4:13 pm

  I really enjoy the car and the mileage is unbelievable given my driving habits. The car stops on a dime, which has saved me quite a number of times. The brake dust is a bit annoying, but the pads will be upgraded to ceramic when I have to replace them. I agree that my driver seat tips forward when you brake and back when you step on the gas. Its minor, but it is a unique feeling. I am a bit concerned about the quality given that my door latch on the exterior rear passenger door no longer works and the locking fuel door sometime has to manually unlatched from inside the trunk. All in all, I recommend the vehicle as it is fun, safe and merely sips on fuel.

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  Most expensive car I have ever owned - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Barney - September 4 - 11:03 am

  Front end is weak. Constantly requires repair and replacement of tie- rod-ends, ball joints, constant velocity boots, etc. You name it, its been replaced, multiple times. Power window motors, go through them like candy. Transmission was replaced with 1 mile left in warranty. Transmission is going again but it lasted 150,000 miles. Rattles, boy does it ever. But, it hasnt rusted out and the engine is still strong after 188,000 miles. Again, I cannot tell you how much this thing has cost to maintain but its got to be close to the purchase price. Most comfortable seats of any vehicle I have owned.

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  not so great car - 2002 Volvo S40
  By unsatisfied owner - September 3 - 10:00 am

  I have had problems with this car since I got it. The check-engine light has come on at least four times and the car has stalled on me twice( once for a defective computer chip and the other time was because the oxygen hose came off), I took it in to the service center at the dealership and theyve fixed it. This car has given more problems than it is worth (Im trading it in for something better and more reliable), its basically a defect.

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  My first impressions after 700 miles - 2015 Volvo XC70
  By Mitch Johns - September 3 - 12:53 am

  We purchased an XC 70 platinum T6 3 liter that had an EPA mpg at 17/24 mpg. We chose this car after purchasing two BMW X1s in 2014 and 2015. I was a bit worried about the mpg and that I would be consuming more gas and hurting the environment. Well after our first major road trip of 430 miles in CA from N. Ca, through Sacramento to Palo Alto, I was impressed. You have to know that this road trip is primarily major state and federal highways, on roads that are very bumpy, can be stressful, and very heavy with traffic. We obtained an overall round-trip gas mileage of 25.6 mpg with cruising speeds of 70-80 mph, and considerable stop and go on these interstates. Frankly consider this route to be one of the worst traveling itinerary that you could ever drive and put a car through. The best attribute of this car is the Volvo front car seats that are likely the most comfortable in a car. We purchased the car mostly for the front car seats as my wife has spinal issues that causes her great pain and discomfort about the third hour of a road trip. The seat comfort was the best of what could be expected given my wifes chronic aliments. I cannot say this for the back car seats as they are average, and the designers could have engineered more leg room for the rear passengers. Dont get the wrong impression, it is still better than the X1s that we have experienced. The auto runs smooth, plenty of acceleration, low road noise, and takes the highway bumps with little lingering memory. What I might be critical of is the steering as it is a bit light and you dont have intuitive feeling you get out of a performance car such as a BMW X1. The handling around curves is slightly above average, but you should slow down a bit if it is a tight curve as there is a slight body lean and response for you to take it more slower than a performance car. I have only 700 miles on the car and as you know, nothing is broken in yet, the engine especially. I will look forward to more (pleasurable) road trips and I anticipate that I will find the car much more superior and also expect to obtain slightly higher mpg on long road trips. There are no available safety ratings for this model, but it is a Volvo. The exterior body is very solid and the finish is excellent. We have learned much after purchasing three new cars in the last 24 months and anyone purchasing should do their homework in regards to invoice price, reviews of the car handling, etc.

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  Great car for the money - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By Volvo Xman - September 2 - 2:00 am

  The Volvo XC60 is a great vehicle for anyone wanting to purchase in the "realm" of the luxury market. Although the price tag is easier to stomach than Mercedes, Audi, and BMW many of the luxury features you want are delivered, such as plush leather, bluetooth, premium ride. At 100mph the XC60 shows off its stability. "Smooth ride". There is plenty of cargo space, leg and head room, but the electronics such as Navigation system and radio display could be updated. Still a great car.

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  Engineering defect - 2008 Volvo C30
  By lucia5 - September 1 - 4:36 am

  I love driving this volvo, I love it more than the GTI I used to own. BUT the severity of the damage done from an engineering defect with the oil separator has me question volvos reliability. Heres what to do if this happens to you. If you hear a hum that progressively gets louder as the engine warms up, NOT a belt squeal. STOP the car and IMMEDIATELY shut the engine off. Have the car towed to your mechanic or dealership. If you do not stop the car immediately youll ruin the seals in your engine, the crankshaft, timing belt and possibly other parts.

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  My S40 - 2000 Volvo S40
  By Czar - September 1 - 2:26 am

  First, let me say that I do love my car. Its reliable and safe. The problems that crop up are minor but sometimes annoying. Let me first disagree with some: the armrest is fine, paint is amazing and I dont know what glare theyre talking about. That being said, I believe the manual seats could be redesigned, and the cup holder is atrocious. Rear locks do stick. A lot of little nothings. However, its a blast to drive at speed. It also handles reasonably well and I like the stiff feel. Its also very safe speaking from fender-bender experience. I recommend it as a great college car (when I bought it, anyway).

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  NEED EXPLANATION, - 2018 Volvo S90
  By R.Werwinski - August 30 - 6:26 am

  STILL LOOKING , I see comments on the ride and some problems with the console screen.. Hope to get some responses from Volvo makers on anything being done to answer these negative comments. Thank, you