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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  VOLVO XC90 - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By SLMCPA - December 2 - 2:00 am

  NICE SOLID DRIVING CAR, BUT DISSAPPOINTING OVERALL. I HAVE HAD TO TAKE THE CAR BACK FOR WARRANTY WORK NEARLY EVERY OTHER WEEK. TIRES WERE WORN OUT AT 10,000 MILES. SEATS DROP ALL MEMORY IF MORE THAN ONE DRIVER USES THE SAME KEYLESS ENTRY. FIELD OF VISION ON THE SIDE AND SIDE VIEW MIRRORS IS VERY BAD. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES. WE HAVE THE THIRD ROW SEATING OPTION AND THE INTERIOR FEELS VERY CRAMPED IN ALL THREE ROWS. RUBBER GASKET UNDER ROOF RACK IN THE FRONT MADE A TERRIBLE HUMMING NOISE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.

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  Update - 1998 Volvo S70
  By pandabear1 - December 2 - 1:17 am

  Since writing my review in May 2006, I have replaced the ABS module again, the rear shocks, and the O2 sensor. The AC and thermostat both stopped working in 2009. I replaced the power windows around the same time because one day, they just "fell" into the doors. In 2008, the key in the ignition wouldnt turn anymore and had to be replaced. In order to make sure Id just have 1 car key, all the door locks had to be replaced as well to make it uniform. I cant even describe all the sounds coming from behind the dash of "loose parts" jiggling around. Given that after 14 years, there are only 112k miles, this car has had a ton of issues.

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  A Ford in Sheeps Clolthing - 2006 Volvo S40
  By DMark - November 27 - 1:40 am

  Overall, a good vehicle for the money. Economy is great (were getting 32+ mpg on the open road), and features for a small car are good. The Hallmark of a Ford is crap fasteners, and to that end this s40 wears the Mantle of its once parent company very well. Trunk lid liner fasteners strewn in the trunk, interior panel fastener hanging loose, window base trim. I automatically push it back in now as I reach for the door handle, lower front grill fastener never has been aligned, headlamp washer almost pops back into the correct location, and an external air temp gauge that sporadically reads 20 degrees low (of course, it functions normally at the dealer).

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  Its a Ford! - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Its a Ford! - November 22 - 10:00 am

  All complaints posted apply to my auto too! Buy the extended warranty. Maybe the numerous "kinks" will be out of the car by 50K. Having logged as many as 8-16 annual trips to the dealer for repairs, why take a chance? I bought the warranty, at 45k. When not in the shop, the car is a dream to drive. Repairs major:38k mi. slow down on the freeway = throttle etc; noisy suspension = motor mounts,struts,etc.. Minor annoyances:door lock, steering wheel adjustment failures/breakage. Brakes wear fast 3-front,1 rear replaced before 40k;tires too -nope not the driver, its the car (soft, safe Volvo brakes, heavy car (note the motor mount failures).

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  Volvo Needs to do Better - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Dave - November 18 - 11:56 am

  Weve owned the car since new,50k total miles. Weve had about a dozen of the electrical problems like others describe, all taken care of under warranty. Some topics I havent seen mentioned: Volvo has dropped the ball re several areas of active safety. Theres poor visibility out the rear of the car, even worse at night due to the dim backup lights. The dash reflects badly in the windshield. The response of the electronic throttle is different in forward vs reverse, its disconcerting. The HID headlights (have used them on loaner cars)are terrible, standard ones are quite good. On the other hand, our dealer Mitchell in CT is excellent and actually fairly reasonable in price.

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  never again! - 2001 Volvo V70
  By nomorevolvos - November 4 - 4:26 pm

  I thought Volvos were better cars. You know, Sweden has harsh weather and terrain, so the vehicles produced there should be appropriately durable. maybe they have that public health care thing for cars also. yes, add me to the list of casualties. I bought my V70 XC last year and have had nothing but problems. Transmission was jerky so I took it to the dealer, only to have it reflashed with no improvement. While there, they discovered bad trans and engine mounts, leaking angle drive and several broken suspension components. This is in addition to the $2000 scheduled maintenance, adding up to almost what I paid for this vehicle. The service and repair history I requested was 34 pages!

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  Own it 1 week, at service shop twice! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By fromny2la - November 1 - 10:00 am

  Looks beautiful and hopefully is safe, but had to bring it back twice within four days of purchase. Makes loud swooshing whistling noise upon stepping off gas pedal. Per the dealership, they are aware of this and are working on a "fix." Alignment is off completely. Service couldnt find anything yet car still veers completely to the left. Car shakes if you go over 60 mph. Was told by a good friend that she know three other people with similar problems.

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  Bad Car Days - 2001 Volvo S40
  By Lake Jackson Tx. - October 31 - 4:36 pm

  Paint flecking off. Paint scratches easily. Freshly shampooed hair stains the interior. Some kind of coating on interior knobs is coming off and they are sticky. Lightbulbs inside and outside of car are forever going out. Steering rack replaced twice. Air condition will blow hot or cold high and low whenever it feels like it. Check engine light is always on. Problems with the radio. Cruise control works when it feels like it. Console lid is broken. Front cup holder is a joke. Overall do not buy this car! The parts for this car are way over priced.

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  Volvo-not-all-its-crack-up-to-be - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Volvo-Mons Car - October 27 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car new for my wife, she now says after 2 years she going to keep it. The door handles are ugly with fake wood with black coming. It drips oil on my garage floor also leaks transmission fluid. Drivers seat wouldnt move that was fun!!! Window on the passenger side would sometimes does not roll-up. We have replaced all the bulbs in the car at least once! Now a $34 turn signal on the side needs replacing. Now it has the brake light come on - dealer cant fix it. We have about 28k miles on it and was hoping to keep it for 10 years like all people who drive Volvos say they should last.

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  NOT SAFE AT ANY SPEED AFTER 4OK MILES - 2001 Volvo S80
  By Garden State Volvo - October 14 - 2:00 am

  car literally started falling apart after 40K miles. Worst experience was electronic throttle die at 75 MPH, engin eshut down, leaving rocketing down the parkway without any STEERING. Beyond that, car required major egition, air pump/valve, and suspension repairs before 48K. Interior parts are cheap plastic that break regularly...replaced cup holders, air vents, radio face, and center console. Finally, rear visibility is horrible. Most of rear quarter panel and lights is totally blind....thank god I dont live near little children!!! Definetly not in the league with Lexus and Acura