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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  2 1/2 years with my V50 - 2005 Volvo V50
  By fluffy - February 10 - 2:53 am

  I bought my V50 as soon as they came out in 2004. I thought the novelty of this beauty would wear off, but now almost 3 years later, we are still in love with this car. It drives superbly, handles excellently, gas mileage is great, comfortable and elegant. We are a family of 4 (all slim though) and fit very well, the kid seats in the back are a huge plus with no ruining of leather. Have traveled all over Europe and the US in it so far and havent had any problems whatsoever with mechanics. Never had anything broken in it, unlike the 2005 S40 T5 my husband owns, which has had a few problems too many for my comfort. I recommend this car to all, as it is a super deal for your money!

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  one year of ownership - 2017 Volvo XC90
  By Greg - February 8 - 6:40 pm

  I really wanted this car. I really expected it to be all I wanted in a SUV, stylish, comfortable, technologically advanced, with a semi-auto pilot function and reliable. All my expectations were and still not fulfilled. The car manifested noise level higher than normal since the beginning. Noise from the outside plus a cabin not soundproofed like competitors. The electronics promised wonders but delivered nightmares. The car main and driver screens continuously black out and takes forever to reboot. Once you start the car it takes longer than usual for the system to load, you cannot even engage the reverse right away and expect to see the camera: you have to waaiiiiiit. And the service says that is normal. Absurd. the semi autonomous driving is no better than the rest of the car. If and when it engages you might expect it to stop working without any warning. The handling and engine are up to par with the rest of the car: rubbish! I do not want this to get too long, so I will just conclude saying that the customer service is useless as the car itself. If you are in the market for this segment go with anything else but this car, it is plenty of great alternatives and I regret my purchase everyday.

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  Love this car - 2002 Volvo V40
  By davidz - February 8 - 10:00 am

  This is my first Volvo and I really love the car. I drive my cars pretty hard and this car has held up well, minus the problems which seem to be unfortunately quite common for the V40. The v40 is fun drive- handles well and is quite zippy. Front seats are very comfortable. Some people have complained about the non-standard radio controls, but I think they are the most effective and useful controls I have ever used. Tuning knob to scan through 20 presets makes more sense than separate preset buttons and is much easier to use while driving. Common problems affecting this vehicle are: 1) brakes wear out quickly. 2) electrical system burns through headlights

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  2010 T6 is a real sleeper - drive one! - 2010 Volvo S80
  By Chicago T6 - February 8 - 6:03 am

  Considered all the usual suspects from BMW, MB, Lexus, and Audi, and liked the S80 T6 more than any of them. It has a couple quirks, but doesnt every car? The I6 turbo is very responsive, makes great noises and is super smooth - much more so than the competitors V6 engines, and on par with the turbo I6 from BMW. I have the dynamic package which really creates a great handler, without undue harshness, and it really does look more stylish and aggressive with the lowered suspension and package specific wheels. Great car!

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  Fun to drive but SMALL! - 2005 Volvo V50
  By papalo - February 7 - 1:30 pm

  OK, we knew that this was a small wagon going into our purchase, but, man, is it cramped! If you need more cargo space than a sedan but not as much as an SUV, this would be a fun (and functonal) vehicle to drive. But, with two toddlers (and all the stuff that goes with them), it is just smaller than we were thinking it would be. Plus, maintenance and repair on this vehicle is astronomical. ($200 to replace ONE tire!) Weve had some reliability issues with the electrical system as well. Were already looking to trade it in for something else...

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  Great Car Until It Breaks - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Sportscarnut - February 6 - 2:10 am

  Had my S80 T6 for 18 months from 22K to 40K miles. During that time, the following failed or broke: upper strut mounts (2), oxygen sensor, mass flow sensor, motor mount, lower control arm, strut assembly, front brake rotors, ABS control unit, turbo oil return line, dashboard clock, ignition switch, turn signal switch, headlight assembly, exterior trim piece, door trim piece, etc., etc. Additionally, when I sold it, one of the turbos was blowing oil and the transmission shifts had gotten mushy (neither of which the dealership was willing to correct). Other than that, it was the best car you could ever own. It was fast, handled great, and was very comfortable. It also got about 20 mpg.

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  this car sucks!!!! - 2002 Volvo S80
  By stupidstupidstupid - February 6 - 2:00 am

  2000 S80 2.9,This car is the freshest HELL ever! Electrical problems out the wazoo! Three tow truck rides in six months!! It is now going bye bye!!! Do not buy this car, run fast and far and buy japenese. It has been a complete nightmare. Pretty though. Kinda like the good looking husband that makes alot of money so its okay if he beats the crap out of you every once in a while. Pure HELL.

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  Best Car Ive ever owned - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By volvo_owner1 - February 3 - 11:15 am

  What I like best about this car (after all the serious stuff like safety and reliability) is the Adaptive Cruise Control. How did I ever live without this feature? Ive owned my Volvo for a year and am extremely happy with the vehicle

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  Fabulous Car - 2012 Volvo S60
  By judithb - February 3 - 12:08 am

  I really enjoy this car. Not sure of reliability because it is too new. I had an 850 for 18 years so I will assume that it will last a long time. Features are very convenient. Car is very stylish.

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  Never again... - 2000 Volvo S80
  By lemonvolvo - February 2 - 6:40 am

  Bought 4 years old with 27k on it. 55k miles now. Know why the low miles, spent most of its life in for repairs. I spent $1200 on new shift solenoid per Volvo, which didnt fix 2nd to 3rd gear shudder. Then told me only remedy is $3500 new tranny. Didnt do that yet. Numerous phantom electrical problems. Repeated trips to clear codes, with a minimum $50 charge each time. If you are thinking of buying this model year, run away as fast as you can. See message boards and reviews. Ford didnt even own Volvo yet, so cant lay blame there. But it is a GM tranny, go figure. Will never buy another Volvo, have owned 17 vehicles in 35 years, this is worst buy far, more problems than all others combined