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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  S40d Out - 2000 Volvo S40
  By S40d Out - March 13 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned my S40 since March of 2000. Since owning it Ive replaced the brakes every 10,000 miles give or take a few, the bulbs are constantly burning out, the front cup holder blocks the stereo, I get poor gas mileage, and it seems to be in the shop all of the time. On the upside, the seats are comfy for a car its size, and it has a peppy engine, and its relatively fun to drive. Priced with options, it can run fairly expensive. Sorry Volvo, you need some work on this little one.

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  You Might Get Lucky ! - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By AJ - March 12 - 2:00 am

  My 2005 XC 90 is reliable most of the time but, when something goes wrong cross your fingers you have warrenty. Its well built to a point. Of all the suvs Ive had. (Yukon,Envoy,Range Rover,and Audi Q7) I rather own a Volvo. It still needs to be a better drivers car. Some more handling upgrades needed. Just dont ever purchase a Range Rover!

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  Gas Guzzler and Computer Problems - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By alex - February 28 - 2:23 pm

  Bought this used/certified car with only 20,000 miles. After 1 1/2 months, the system computer breaks down with a message that the braking system and SRS had conked out. Had the car towed to dealership. Service people said its a minor computer glitch. OK. Guess what, same problem happened again 8 times for the next 18 months, everytime had the car towed and all the inconveniences. Had the car for only 18 months and have already replaced tires, steering rod and lots of other things. Had it serviced for 30,000 miles and cost was $1,100. Overall city mileage was 11 mpg, highway about 16. With premium gas prices at $3.30/gal, this car is more expensive than sending a child to college.

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  Volvo must go - 2000 Volvo S80
  By KCKid - February 24 - 12:50 pm

  Great car if you can afford to keep it in repairs. Dealership must live off of the income from service dept. Transmission replaced at 80,000. Various other expensive problems.

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  My 3rd and thankfully LAST Volvo - 2000 Volvo V70
  By ds - February 20 - 12:40 am

  This car year was a lemon from the get-go and under no circumstance buy this car. Something was always wrong-at first it was the electrical system, then the headlights, then the gas cap not opening so that the entire rear interior panel had to be removed twice and on long trips. In 7 years of ownership we paid more in time and money for repairs than for the original purchase price. The seats are so uncomfortable and scrunch the driver that I had a painful hip and drove sitting on a pillow the last year of ownership. Volvo service and parts are super expensive and the Volvo dealers in my area are arrogant. It is nice not having to throw away money! Returned to Toyota-much more satisfied.

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  Dont do it! - 2000 Volvo S40
  By caiti - February 18 - 2:00 am

  This is, without a doubt, the worse car I have ever owned. With slightly over 30K on it I have replaced :six tires and two rims, the moonroof, countless back bulbs, the air conditioner, two sets of brakes, failed front headlights, hazard lights, and of course, lets not forget that pesty check engine light (which others might find easy to disregard but when you are transporting your one and two year old children, I still find very alarming). I have never written a review of anything in my life but, in this case, I felt I must.

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  Never again - 2006 Volvo C70
  By chris292 - February 15 - 7:55 am

  I have had this car for 5 years and it has 104k miles. First off, tires. This thing eats them. The best weve done is 20k miles, the worst was 10k. Ive put 6 sets on it, and we have them rotated and realigned every 4k miles. Brakes. These have been replaced 4 times so far. Other replacements include the nav (twice), alternator, motor mounts, suspension (entire thing) and several "fixes" to the top. The car is driven on regular public roads and we go slow over speed bumps. The seats have twice now decided to move backwards on their own while I was getting stuff out of the back seat. On both occasions I was stuck and had to have help to get out.

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  2002 C70 Review - 2002 Volvo C70
  By Tempel Riekhof - January 10 - 1:40 am

  The C70 is very enjoyable to drive with the top down. Otherwise it is one of the least enjoyable cars we have owned. The suspension is too stiff for a convertible as that has led to numerous squeaks and rattles for which the dealer has no solution. One would never know it has power steering and the turning radius is far too wide. Trunk is negligible as is true with many convertibles. There is no indicator on the dash showing what gear you or in - just a small silly orange arrow pointing up if you are not in top gear. The parking light assembly simply fell out. Leather seats are showing significant wear after only about 30,000 miles. The mechanism for lowering the top works well.

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  Wouldnt buy another - 2001 Volvo C70
  By Get A Bimmer - January 1 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car instead of the BMW 3 series convertible and lived to regret it. I would never recommend a Volvo after the problems I had with the car. Additionally, the dealer lied on several points, and Volvo corporate did everything they could to avoid taking responsibility for their car with all its problems.

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  4th Set of Tires with just 83,00 miles - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By doglady2 - December 22 - 7:27 am

  I have had my SUV since the end of 2004. I have just gone through my fourth set of tires at 83,000 miles. Volvo Customer Service takes zero responsibility for this obvious problem. They blamed it on the three tire manufacturers. Also, it is a very expensive car to repair and maintain. At 78,000 miles I replaced 5 ignition coils for a total of $345.00 in just parts no labor, Upper engine mount repair for $579.00. At 75,000 miles I had to replace the fuel pump, Idler pully, timing bel,t tentioner, brake vac switch, etc. Even in the beginning I had to replace the brakes and front rotors at 22,000 miles. Think twice