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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  absolute letdown - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By rayray - October 24 - 7:36 am

  Misery! Volvo forgot reliability is part of "safety." Where do I start with the 2005 V8 AWD "top of the line" for that year. First big problem: AC put out only HOT. Then the shifter/key start up had problems. Yearly, windows always need calibration as they would roll down by themselves. Then an ABS control failed and I could not start the car. After the pitiful 4yr/50k warranty ran out (car paid in full of course) the transmission failed after 70,000 miles, cost $6500 to fix, then there was the engine leak that after 4 months of diagnosing turned out to be a leaky engine BLOCK, so I needed a new engine after 80,000 miles. Dont get me started on the electrical system. Worse vehicle ever!

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  Below Average Car - 2004 Volvo C70
  By Ex Volvo Driver - October 21 - 2:00 am

  We have been extremely disappointed with our Volvo C70 and the Dealer. The car is very difficult to drive due to all of the blindspots with the top up or down. The front end is so low you cant go over the smallest bump w/o scraping it. To get into the back seat takes forever due to auto seat speed. Buy the less expensive Saab!

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  Leaks more than the Gulf - 2001 Volvo V70
  By oilslick - October 16 - 12:36 pm

  This car was a problem child the moment we got it. Transmission computer failed, then the trans blew, engine mounts continually fail, side marker lights fell out several times. dipstick is constantly shot out, spraying oil everywhere, no solution from repair shop. Eats oil and gas like its going out of style. semi-auto shifter broke early, expensive to fix. It is safe though, spends more time in the shop than on the road!

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  Do not buy 2004 2.5T AWD V70 - 2004 Volvo V70
  By csanzo - October 9 - 11:25 am

  This car was my dream car until at 103000 miles the engine simply died. It was in the shop for three months, EEC computer replaced, and another computer replaced and the flywheel was warped and replaced. Even after that - and a $3000 plus repair bill - no one could fix the car!! Any car that is not able to be repaired should never be sold!! DO NOT BUY!

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  Horrible, totally unreliable, prone to failure - 1998 Volvo S70
  By jschwaber - October 9 - 3:22 am

  Steering failed, developed an oil & radiator leak past 100k. ABS/TRACS failed immediately. The door hinges on driver and passenger both failed. One pangs loudly at every catch, the other swings like a household door with no catch. The hydraulics in the trunk have failed completely. Speakers were wired poorly- all flicker on and off (not blown out). The stereo has you change CDs in the *trunk* (of all places) 0-60 time is longer than 11 seconds on the base model, but still gets terrible MPG (21 average for the automatic, even when babying it) Three star safety rating in the 90s, so its not even very safe e-brake broken Good interior storage space, nice leather, good seats

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  Always in the Shop! Stay Away - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By Volvo XC-90 - September 17 - 2:43 pm

  I was fooled into buying the XC-90 after the arrival of our first child. Truth is, this has been the worst car weve ever purchased. It drives, but constantly in the shop for several issues, including AC problems, allignment issues, electronics, mechanical, and at one point, they had to replace both front axles completely! Dont be fooled by the safety recommendations, all newer luxury SUVs have good overall safety ratings. Further, the car has horrible traction control in rainy conditions. If you do decide to purchase, please buy the AWD. I do not let my wife and child drive this car when it rains.

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  Sooooo disappointed in Volvo - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Bfriebs - September 2 - 10:00 am

  Along with making a monthly car payment to Volvo Finance, we also make a montly payment to the Volvo Service Center. This has been the most disappointing car weve owned. In one year, the car has required repairs on an average of every six weeks. Problems range from electronic sensors going bad to shocks blowing out. After finding out two days ago that there is now an oil leak, we have had enough. BMW, Lexus and Acura will be seeing us this week. In fact, I will be trading in the car, since I cant sell it in good conscience.

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  Needs some work - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By walterq - August 23 - 9:46 pm

  A lot of road noise, window seals had to be replaced 2xs, still inadequate. When they replaced window seals, primer damaged paint. Radio and interior music enjoyment is terrible. Bearings (3) went at 51,000 miles, 1000 miles over warranty.

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  Major Disappointment - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Jim Barnacle - July 26 - 8:50 am

  My 2.5 Turbo moans and groans it way around town delivering me 15 miles to the gallon. The SUV is particularly annoying to drive in traffic because the car hesitates off the line (turbo lag Im told). The vibration of the turbo reminds me of a diesel. When I exit the car the vibration stays with me. This is a sad excuse for a premium SUV. I actually enjoyed my 2002 Ford Explorer more than this overrated piece of junk. I feel betrayed by the automotive press for their positive reviews. M

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  Hybrid system plagued by poor quality - AVOID - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Scott - June 26 - 2:02 pm

  Our XC90 T8 is a little over a year old, and it has spent about two months of that time in the shop for several different visits. The car has completely been drained of battery once and needed towing (it had no power at all, zero, not even the electric doors would work); it had a problem hesitating when going uphill that required over a month in the shop and parts shipped from Sweden; and many warning lights have been going off requiring trips to the dealer. This new Volvo hybrid drive train is not ready for prime time. Its too bad as its a very nice car otherwise.