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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  Drives great, especially to repair shop - 1998 Volvo V70
  By bkw - February 8 - 10:00 am

  Love driving this car - in any weather. Seats are terrific and adjust to any position. Performance - esp. handling - is very good (and I have had Audis and a Porsche before). Just drove 3500 miles on vacation and was rarely uncomfortable. Echoing some other reviews, trips to Volvo repair are WAY too frequent and very expensive. Eats brakes ($1k for all 4) and turn signal bulbs. Front susp supports replaced on both sides ($750 per side), generator, air pump, weld a door hinge ($500 each), its endless. Fuel usage around 17mpg in city but about 28 on hwy.

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  When its on the road, excellent ride! - 2002 Volvo S80
  By carold - February 8 - 10:00 am

  I love this cars comfortable from the soft leather seats to the excellent sound system. Pure comfortable riding down the road. However I bought my S-80 first year out and it has been in the garage more times than I dare to count. Gas line problems, exhaust problems, would not take in gas, collant always needing filled, CD player needed replace, sun roof track broke, under mount was not in correctly, engine mount broke off, not to mention the big issue...the transmission completely went out. Luckly everything except the last $1,200 has been under warrenty.

• 

  really disappointed - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By oliver986 - February 4 - 10:00 am

  love the looks, but could not be more disappointed with volvo and the vehicle. vehicle died on me 3 times, including a road trip, and other than a dealer in florida i took the car to on vacation, the dealers were not very helpful. i know 1 other xc90 t6 owner who has had the same computer ignition problem, so im not the only one. i wrote a letter to the ceo of volvo, who, in my owner information, said to contact him with any concerns. i have never heard back from anyone at volvo on my problems. nor did i ever hear from anyone to confirm my car was working after several roadside assistance calls. not the kind of upscale experience i expected. so i trade

• 

  Overall - 2003 Volvo S40
  By Spatwardhan - February 2 - 10:00 am

  Ive enjoyed the car. Except, I find little annoyances with the DSA light and Check Engine light coming on for no apparent reason and taking it into the service center to have it reset is annoying as well.

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  A remarkable car! - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Tom in Nor Cal - February 2 - 10:00 am

  Having my XC for almost 18mos now, it has been remarkably reliable and (almost) trouble free. The dealership (Volvo of Pleasanton, CA) has a fantastic sales staff and a horrible service department. I have had to actually argue with the Service Manager on 2 different occasions. I would recommend buying your Volvo in Pleasanton but having it serviced elsewhere. A previous review complained of front suspension problems, I experienced some of the same. However, it was repaired and has been fine since. The traction abilities of this car are remarkable! Its almost as though its on rails. My only complaint is its mediocre acceleration.

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  A quite perfect Volvo - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By jojo - January 31 - 2:00 am

  Have this car for 4 yrs now. Overall, its an excellent Volvo. Did great in snow and ice. Extremely safe, wonderful turbo power. Body roll is acceptable for SUV this size. This car is so easy to manuever even in tight corners that even my wife loves it. It is not a BMW X5, but it is somewhat fun to drive. It does have below average MPG over the 4yrs, it is 16/18 MPG.

• 

  ok - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Sasha 1 - January 26 - 2:00 am

  Nice car for normal driving. Not enough power in 5 cyl. Dealer service sucks in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn! Parts expansive so get extanded warranty.

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  Expensive to fix - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Carrie - January 25 - 3:20 pm

  I love how this car drives, and that it feels safe. However, just like the other reviews I have had several issues with this car. Several recalls, after 3 years the A/C broke and will cost an astronomical amount to fix. It blows hot air in summer, but it doesnt need a recharge. Engine blew at 88K, since it was past its warranty Volvo said too bad. It was their fault as they missed the oil leak that wore out the timing belt and thus broke the pistons in the engine. Word to the wise, save all of your maintenance records if you buy this car, as Volvo will surely look at it if you try to dispute a malfunction and they keep horrible records. Good Luck if you buy this one!

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  Its the small things - 2001 Volvo S80
  By merlin - January 24 - 6:46 pm

  Bought it knowing it was a dealer loaner...that was the first mistake but the price was right. Replaced 6 bulbs of some type in the past two years. It currently has a headlight out to make #7. Replaced front suspension parts at 33K(under warranty. Sunroof has been fixed three times.Now a suspected broken motor mount as there is a thump in the steering at low speeds. Dealership replaced the air mass meter at 45K under warranty. This is all on a $40K automobile. I cannot blame the dealership as they have been great but what is it that the Japanese know how to do that the Europeans do not? After 20 years of driving Volvos this may be my last!

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  Great commuter car - 2003 Volvo S60
  By agr_msu - January 14 - 2:20 am

  This is my wifes car, she absolutely loves it. She commutes about 70 miles a day each way and the car is comfortable, reliable, and looks good to her peers. We love the manual transmission and regularly get 32 mpg. Our only complaint is that the backseat is a tight fit for a baby/infant seat. It holds adults fine.