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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  tiny pieces of plastic killed the car! - 1998 Volvo V70
  By beth55423 - September 16 - 3:25 pm

  Overall, we put 80,000 miles on a used 1998 Volvo, driving about 100 miles away. There was a lot that was good and reliable about the car. But, you know those tiny plastic clips that hold all the interior trim pieces together? In six months we seemed to lose at least one a week. Inside of the back hatch fell off....trim piece above the drivers knees.... the plastic covering the switch for the power windows.... Then the gasket around the door, and the rubber strips on the roof rack... UGH.

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  great when there is nothing to fix - 2000 Volvo V70
  By OHguy - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Loved the car while we had it. Bought it in Nov. of 2001 as a repo, car was pre-certified with warranty to 74,000 miles. Just got rid of the car a week ago. Had to replace the throttle body, had shifter lights fixed, fixed a leak in the oil pan, front headlight wiper needed to be fixed, replaced ball joints, pinion seals. A lot was covered by warranty, but spent 2,00+ out of pocket and needed to spend another 700+. Put a good set of Dunlops on the car and they didnt last 15,000 miles, so went back to Michelin tires and no more excessive tire wear

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  Needs work but NICE - 2002 Volvo S60
  By beli - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Nice car in many ways but needs a few thigns to make perfect: 1) Has BIG blind spots b/c of saftey features and design.. adjusting seats may help or narrowing support beams. 2) Electronics have always been Volvos weakness.. they should outsource all to Japan ASAP! 3) My S60 needs turbo.. my fault. 4) Maybe a rear wiper.. rear window is almost flat and gets covered easily.

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  Great Value - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Mr Oswald - September 7 - 10:00 am

  Excellent value, bought privately two years ago, holding value very well....some dealers can really hose you, had real RIP-OFF experience with one, absolutely excellent with another. Any problems are well known, easily fixed, and non-recurring, Eg: ABS/TRACs light on is simple $45 electrical ignition switch fix, air pump should be $200 fix IF dealer replaces air check valve. Basic parts are available over internet from ipd and others at 30- 60% off of Volvo Dealer prices. Currently 120K miles, feels strong and smooth.

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  Love my S40 - 2001 Volvo S40
  By AllisonM - September 7 - 10:00 am

  I think this is a great, fun car. I have always wanted to own a Volvo and thought Id never be able to afford anything better than an used 40. When I learned that they had introduced a sub-30K product, I ran to the dealership and dumped my 3-year old Subaru Outback.

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  Steady performer - 2006 Volvo S40
  By bonzo23 - September 5 - 11:03 pm

  I got this S40 as a company car in 06 and liked it so much that when it went off lease I purchased it for personal use. Even with the normally aspired 5 cylinder it has great pickup. The road handing is head and shoulders above Camry, Sable, and Impalas that I have had for company cars. There is a nice road feel with responsive steering yet a not unacceptable ride or noise. After correcting an A/c blower motor that was faulty on delivery, it has been problem free. Now with 4 years and 64K miles, It has been to the shop for A/C compressor replacement and twice for electrical diagnostics which found not problems despite the high $ diagnostics.

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  mysterious noises, radio changes station - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By david carter - August 31 - 5:46 pm

  For $51K one would think that vibrational noises would be non existent. On wash board dirt roads or hitting a bump in the road just right there is a harsh rattle/thumping sound coming from the left suspension. This can be felt in the steering column.There is a disturbing wind noise from the right quarter panel area at 60 mi or above. There is a strange click sound from the tail gate that happens every few minutes, this even occurs when the car is still. Most frustrating is the radio and cd player change stations or tracks on its own. The car has 2000 mi on it,has been in the shop off and on for over a mo.and problems persists. Spoke to the owner today, not even an apology. Very disappointed

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  Smooth Ride/ Front End Electric Problems - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Dvoice - August 24 - 10:00 am

  Car Drives exceptional, only had car less than 30 days, purchased used, taken in for repair at least 5 times; for light bulb outage, faulty alarm, gas tank door; CV joints, bolts on front suspension, wind shield wipers; best advise, purchase extended warranty! Volvos are great safe cars but the 2000 S80 has many electric and front end problems, in addition to console and sun roof rattling, also Poor AM reception, but overall sound system is superb!I would purchase another Volvo but not without a warranty

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  Overall Satisfied with Purchase - 2005 Volvo S40
  By radubu - August 24 - 10:00 am

  Purchased the most basic car available, which offers quite a bit of value for the price. Using the car in the city for commuting purposes. The manual transmission is smooth, like the small/compact size. Purchased the car due to its high safety rankings -- trying to protect myself from the Monster trucks that most Americans prefer today. Overall happy, however, not satisfied with the gas consumption, which is a little on the high side for a manual.

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  How Swede it is - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By SoCalVolvoowner - August 24 - 10:00 am

  In car-crazy Southern California, this stands out from all the rest. Color (a green metallic that I did not think Id like and actually love) wheels, and overall style all catch the eye of my freeway companions. Its pretty zippy, although for really fast get-up-and-go I wish Id sprung for the T6, but I dont eat as much gas in the T5 and its quick enough for most of my driving.