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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  Relability Stinks - 2008 Volvo S60
  By lordway - March 21 - 8:03 am

  I liked this car a lot when I first bought it. Now I regret my purchase. Its too small for a normal sized person and forget about fitting anyone in the back seat. Its too small for even a child. The trunk space is not practical. Its not a true sport sedan and the gas mileage is poor considering its size and that it has only 5 cylinders. Furthermore, the relability is suspect. It has been to the dealership 4 times in 4 months for two intermitent problems (antilock brakes and the radio). No resolution for the second problem yet. The dealer has not been able to fix the problem without keeping the car for a week at a time. Bottom line: Dont make my mistake, buy Japanese.

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  Most Disappointed - 2000 Volvo S40
  By Disappointed in MI - March 17 - 2:00 am

  This car has been nothing but trouble since day one. Both brakes had to be replaced after one year. Struts were replaced, windows dont work, squeaky roof/sunroof. Im in for repairs once per month. Volvo refused to admit there is a problem and will NOT assist me in getting me out of this lease. I have been loyal Ford consumer until I got this Volvo, but I had never had my Ford products in the shop other than for oil changes. Volvo expects the consumer to pay $350 to have a maintenance check after every 10,000 miles. NEVER AGAIN

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  Buyer Beware! - 2001 Volvo V70
  By BravoPapa - March 17 - 2:00 am

  Weve had constant trouble with our V70 T5, including electrical problems, brake problems, transmission software issues, speakers, rattling glovebox, malfunctioning cup holder, and weve had to replace 10 tires on the car. At 15 - 18 average MPG, the 247 HP of this car comes at a pretty steep price. The depreciation on the car in terms of dollars per month or year is VERY HIGH too. Our family has been delighted with Volvo products, (740s, 240s before that) until now. As of this writing, my advise would be to consider an alternative car/ brand.

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  Its a lemon - 2002 Volvo C70
  By maminc70 - March 15 - 4:07 am

  I bought my 2002 C70 used in 2009. It ran great for about 6 months & then had a host of problems that caused multiple trips to the shop, including one that lasted 3 months. The car doesnt always start. Turning the key over and trying again sometimes works, but Volvo told me that trick as they cant fix it. The transmission slips & it has gotten progressively worse to the point that the car is only reliable for trips under 15 min. Volvo cant diagnose that problem either & suggested changing the trans, but will not guarantee that its the fix. The rear windshield has dropped & is suspended by the headliner. I need an auto upholstery shop to stitch it back in as the glue wont hold.

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  A computer that drives with software problems - 2017 Volvo XC90
  By Chris - February 9 - 9:46 pm

  There is essentially an ipad in the car that controls almost literally everything. Voice control is not reliable. Many user complaints, including mine, are of strange behaviors all related to software and frequent software updates. Literally after owning my inscription 2017 XC90, I was driving and the heads up display moved, the A/C would not come on, the seat started filling with air on its own and my steering wheel buttons would not work to change radio stations or make phone calls. No joke. Today is the 3rd visit to the dealer in one month. My problems are not unique. Visit the forums and read. Sad, its so beautiful and cool, it just doesnt work, you cant just get in an go. You have to wait for everything to load and many apps simply fail. So disappointing. If you are an early adopter this might work for you but as JD Power pointed out already (2/5) it is very unreliable and operating the car is like driving the car while using your iphone for everything. Its distracting and there are so many darn software bugs.

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  Dont do it - 2001 Volvo S40
  By never again - February 8 - 8:43 am

  This car was the biggest mistake Ive made since my first marriage (and nearly as costly.) Constantly in need of repair and or maintenance. Everything from the sun roof to the brakes has needed attention. I would be remiss if I didnt mention the lights. Nearly $200 in bulbs in approximately 18 months! Cant finish without mentioning the cup holder - I seriously suspect is was designed by a team of monkeys. My recommendation to a prospective buyer is - dont.

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  Terrible Reliability - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By rdhoss - January 26 - 12:20 pm

  I cant even recount all of the service trips weve had - new transmission, new steering rack, new turbos, new computer board... it goes on and on. Extended Warranty has covered these repairs but Im sick of seeing my Volvo dealers service center!!!

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  Discomfort - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Curlenjik - January 24 - 10:00 am

  The suspension on my XC90 is amateurish at best. I feel every bump in the road, every space between concrete slabs that the tires pass over. The sightlines make driving with side mirrors a must; I cannot see to the left and right of the car by turning around in the drivers seat and trying to see objects beyond the second row. The fuel consumption is ridiculous and the engineers have some nerve requiring high test gas.

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  WHAT A LEMON! - 2001 Volvo V70
  By v70owner - October 25 - 11:23 pm

  Bought this car in Sept of 2005 with 50K miles on it. We have had nothing but problems. Full transmission replacement in 08 under warranty, locks failed, seatbelts in back all failed had to be replaced, throttle control module, battery issues. You name it, weve had it with this one. As soon as were able, we are getting rid of this car!

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  money pit of a car - 2000 Volvo V70
  By takenbyvolvo - October 5 - 6:50 pm

  Bought the car and I have put more money into it than what it cost me. I like that it is safe, but I dont like how there are so many problems with it. I will never buy a car from Volvo again, and I am hesitant still on getting a car that is so expensive to repair. Sure it is great in the snow, but that is only like four weeks out of the year that I need it for that. Gas mileage is like a pick up truck and it is so finicky, everything seems to go wrong.