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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  The Worst Car of My Life - 2005 Volvo V50
  By bob - August 12 - 9:23 am

  This car has 44,000 miles.since Feb06, it has been on a flatbed 3x because it wouldnt start.Two of those times, I was on vacation 500 and 350 miles from home.They "fixed" it once.This car is a nightmare. Two sets of tire by 45000 @ $200/tire. Cd player has been replaced.Fuel line has been replaced.Rear wiper has fallen off.Should I expect more for a car in the $30+K range.Volvo customer care is a joke.They do not care."On Call" operators never told me about trip interruption insurance (Ive talked to about 6 of them). I received the info form a dealer.If this is any indication of Volvo quality-forget it. I cannot wait to rid myself of this car. This is the worst car purchase of my life.

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  Buyer Beware - 2003 Volvo S60
  By NH WInter - July 26 - 9:23 pm

  When I purchased my S60 AWD I thought it was going to be a great vehicle. I was wrong. Looks great, but many, many nickel & dime mechanical problems, which are both time consuming and expensive if you take it to the dealer each time. Traded an Acura CL for the Volvo, never again

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  nice looking but unreliable - 2002 Volvo C70
  By Ellen San Diego - July 21 - 12:46 pm

  The car was good the first two years, but then things started going wrong and wrong and wrong. Dealer could not fix recurring problem with starting. Needed to always carry all three keys because you never knew which one would start it. Funny smell that dealer could never locate. It is my fourth and last Volvo.

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  Needs a model refresh... - 2011 Volvo XC90
  By jdoria - July 20 - 8:17 am

  I bought one of these solely based on its price when compared to the competitors. With the included 5 years of service, it cant be beat. This one came with every option, BLIS, Xenon, DVDs, Navigation, etc. The Navigation is something I would skip if I had to do this again. I have other cars with easier to use systems. I serves our needs at a "just-good-enough" rating. Its the only car I own that still has a "key". (no proximity token with push button start)

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  Awful in Snow - 2002 Volvo S60
  By BarbB - July 12 - 8:40 pm

  I like the look and the comfort of the Volvo - love the leather heated seats - but it handles terribly in snow. I am petrified to drive it in winter - have slid through intersections, need to crawl on the highway, etc. I bought the AWD thinking it would be good in poor road conditions but quite the opposite is true. I needed a car quickly to replace my beloved Nissan Sentra that was totaled in a hail storm. I jumped on the used Volvo based mostly on a friends recommendation. Now I cant wait to get rid of it. Also, the AM radio never worked properly. And repairs cost an arm and a leg. Never again, Volvo.

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  Not a great car - 2001 Volvo S40
  By awree5 - July 10 - 6:55 pm

  I bought the vehicle last year with 62,000 miles on it. Being a Volvo, I thought it was reliable and a great buy. As soon as I pulled out of the lot check engine light went on and brought it back to get the spark plugs fixed. I recently just traded it in and I have had it less than a year! I had to replace brakes, check engine light would not turn off, blown turbo, two ball joints, shocks, and lastly to top it off there was a transmission problem after just four months of having it. Something broke every month and costs were just as much as I bought it for. Got rid of it with 78,000 miles god bless who ever gets one

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  Not a well made car - 2003 Volvo S60
  By ah1530 - June 26 - 10:00 am

  In the first 19 months, my S60 has had to have fixed or replaced the door lock sensors (2x), the brake rotors, the power steering tank - first week of ownership, new front headlight wiring and lights, another short in the rear brake light (2x), new transmission (top off valve first whole new trans. later), left inner steering arm, rear sway bar supports, and an annoying rattle in the front over bumps. Also, scheduled maintenance is outrageously expensive - $471 last month.

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  I want to love you - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Vol fan - June 14 - 9:20 am

  I really want to love my 2016 XC90 momentum. A great looking car. I have 25,000 miles on the vehicle in less than 1 year of ownership. We have been in the shop for a total of 2 weeks to fix Sensus which boots and reboots. Navigation that stops. Loud clicking noises every time you turn, stop and go. Fealership replaced wheel bearings but still have the clicking issue and now the ride is horrible even after new tires etc.. as the vehicle shakes, rattles and rolls. I just took a very painful 8 hour family trip to Disney and now I am looking for my next vehicle. Pros. Good gas mileage, great interior layout with useable 3rd row seat. Love Sensus when it works. If the clicking could stop and the vehicle rode smooth like it did when first purchased then I would love it.

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  Not what they used to be - 1998 Volvo V70
  By jerseygirl - June 8 - 5:53 am

  I cant believe there are so many others that have had the same problems...power window, leaking oil, check light always coming on, brakes, tires/alignment, abs, control arm, shift console and now the engine and valves! Some problems couldnt be resolved because every service station (including the dealership) diagnosed it differently. And when the diagnosis was a recalled throttle, Volvo disagreed! Too much money into this car. We justified each repair by reminding ourselves it was a Volvo but no more because they are not what they used to be. The name no longer means anything. (Doesnt Ford own Volvo now anyway?) Ill be buying a Honda or Toyota next. Too bad Volvo isnt what they used to be.

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  Bring your checkbook - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By letsrole - May 24 - 9:56 am

  I purchased this vehicle used with 107,000 miles. I should have checked Edmunds reviews 1st. At 117,000 miles, just like previous reviews - transmission problems. Cost for replacement, $6,000 and only a one year warranty.