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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  Disappointing Quality - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By RG - December 21 - 4:33 pm

  Weve always wanted to have Volvo and finally weve saved enough to buy one. What a disappointment! In the past 6 months we have to bring in the car three times to be fixed ranging from electrical problems to detached trim. This is worse than my first car, a mere Ford Escort!

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  bummer - 2004 Volvo S40
  By hazeleyez68 - December 3 - 10:00 am

  has anyone else had major problems with their s40? from the AC to the radio antenna to the trunk lock....??

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  Worst Car I Ever Owned - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Tom - November 29 - 9:13 am

  This was my first and will be my last Volvo. This thing needs new tires every 20,000 miles, grinds through brake pads, needed a new transmission at 80,000 miles and now at 100,000 miles the turbo is blown. Probably had this car in the shop 2 to 3x per year for various electrical and mechanical problems. Volvo was gracious enough to replace the transmission for only the cost of labor (I am convinced they have a silent recall going on) but it still cost me $1,600. Now to fix the turbo will cost another $5,000. It is time to trade in this albatross....I should have done it 30,000 miles ago. Volvo should just recall this vehicle and give everybody their money back.

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  Fun to drive but falls short on MPG - 2015 Volvo XC60
  By Joeyomitan - November 12 - 7:21 pm

  First off I would say this is the best driving car we have ever had. It handles very well, has better than average acceleration, stops well, steers well, etc. The interior is nice, our only complaint is the “storage area” under the radio, you can’t really put anything in it or it falls out when you turn. The seats are comfortable, and cargo space is adequate. Our big complaint is gas mileage. The T-5 Drive E engine should get 24 in town and about 30 on the highway. We rarely average over 23 mpg. On our Honda CRV and Chevy Equinox we always meet or exceed the EPA estimated MPG, so I don’t think it our driving habits. Either Volvo over estimated MPG or who knows. The only other complaint is the information/blue tooth system is not very intuitive. The local Volvo Dealer had to contact other dealers on how to check the oil level from the info system. The car does not have a dip-stick. The manual does not describe how to do it My wife or daughter still can’t check the oil level using the information system. Checking the oil is much like running old DOS commands from function keys on your keyboard. The engine does need oil added between the 10,000 mile interval oil changes. Typically at 4000~5000 after an oil change it needs oil. Volvo thought this would go away after the first oil change, but we had to add oil at the 13,000 mile mark.

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  Volvo S60 - 2002 Volvo S60
  By HS - October 25 - 4:30 am

  I bought this car new and now at 76,000 miles, I am starting to have major problems with car: Front suspension ($1200), Trani ($4500). Very expensive to maintain. Would not buy another Volvo.

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  poor quality/reliability vehicle - 1998 Volvo V70
  By unhappyv70glt - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Purchased vehicle to get safest car for my family. Found multiple areas of poor reliability: oxygen sensors, brakes, turbo oil-line return seal- and now at 80K the ABS/Traction control computer is out ($700). Maint. costs in 7 yrs= $6500. Selling vehicle because I cant take it anymore.

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  Atrocious Reliability - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Constant Agony - October 8 - 10:00 am

  During the first 2-3 years of ownership (during warranty period), no real problems. Thereafter, it has been a nightmare. Car is constantly in the shop for repairs. The "check engine" light is almost as constant as Miss Libertys--its always on. Problems include: A/C; gauges; water pump replaced; electric windows fail to work; radio quit; and those headlights--probably replaced ten times. Think twice before you buy or buy and get rid of before the warranty period expires. Never Again.

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  99 Volvo Base in CA - 1999 Volvo V70
  By bigscrunchy - October 7 - 11:00 am

  Now I traded a 2003 S40 because my family grew and the brakes were suspect. I traded for a 1999 used Volvo V70 from a Ford Dealership in June of 04 thinking that since I already had an existing relationship things would go smoothly. I am still trying to figure out the bumper to bumper sales pitch. First 6 months were good. The second 6 months Ive dropped $1,500.00 on brakes (front/rear), rotors,transmission fluid and battery replacement. $200 for a battery cable? Ive had some issues with the key staying stuck in the ignition upon shutting off the engine. I am going to make a summer trip to the East Coast and see how this vehicle responds. Stay tuned.

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  Not allowed to use a carwash - 2008 Volvo C70
  By cricket3 - October 1 - 3:33 am

  The C70 is a beautiful car. The only problem that I have had is that I cant take my car through a car wash. It leaks inside my car. Now, this would not shock me too much if I had a cloth top. I have the hard top. I took it to the dealer 2 times and also reported it to corporate. After they tested my car, they agreed it did leak while in the car wash. There recommendation was that I can either hand wash my car or drive it to their dealership and take it through their light carwash. Would not mind if I didnt have to drive 25 minutes to get there and being that my car is leased, this would be extra miles which I prefer not to put on my car. Volvo does not stand by product. Sad!!

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  not worth the price - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By snunes68 - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Poor gas economy. For the soccer mom this is not the right car. With car seats in the second row you are not sitting comfortably in the front.