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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  VolvoS80 - 1999 Volvo S80
  By M. Maddock - July 23 - 10:00 am

  This car looks great, but it is the worst car for reliability that I have ever owned. I have been driving for 25 years. It is constantly in the shop for something. I know the local dealership service center employees by name! I am in the process of fixing an electronic problem and then am going to trade it in quickly before something else goes wrong next month. I will never buy a Volvo again.

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  Disappointed - 2000 Volvo V70
  By Disappointed Owner - July 17 - 8:46 pm

  First European Car I have owned after 1 Honda and 3 Nissans. I am back to Japanese after this experience. Car purchased as a one year old car with 13,000 miles. Good safety features, design, and options features have been far outweighted by terrible mechanical failures, all after certified extended waranty expired. Failures included steering, electronic throttle control systems, master brake cylinder, drivers seat belt, front brake rotors, and front passenger electric window switch. Repair costs have exceeded $3,000. I have never owned a car that experienced major failures of critical drive train components. An now the car has several rattles. I would not recommend Volvo to anyone.

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  Mold Smell in A/C system & Low Oil Level Warning - 2010 Volvo XC90
  By vmfromtx - July 17 - 3:03 pm

  I bought my CX90 New and have owned it for over 2 years. My Volvo XC90 has an annoying issue. When I turn on the A/C, for the first 30 seconds, bad mold smell comes, and then I dont smell it. Reported to the dealer on 4 different occassions. They supposedly did everything ehey could, but the problem still persists. Recently, at 58000 miles, suddenly "Low Oil Level" sign came up. When I cheked the dipstick it was below minimum. Dealer supposedly checked it and found no oil leaks and says that they must not have put enough during the previous oil change, and that Volvo does eat some oil between service. I will have to monitor the oil level to see if there is a problem.

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  Volvo S80 loves Mechanic more than me! - 2000 Volvo S80
  By S80 lives in service - July 16 - 2:00 am

  This is my first and last Volvo, I have driven it 60k miles. Its comfortable and attractive to look at, but gee, I am disappointed in the build and mechanical quality. After all the front suspension work (recall) the car scares me on the highway. I hate the surge when the AC switches on and off, the door locks sound like a sick power drill, and the car rattles like an 80s American car. I live with it all, but for $35K I expected a lot more! Since the warranty ended it has cost me 3K to keep up with it. Ive tried to trade it but dealers price it way below trade in value and then run away - they dont want it in thier used inventory either!

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  Great Car To Drive To the Shop - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Sportscarnut - July 12 - 9:16 am

  In a period of 18 months the following failed: ignition switch, oxygen sensor, mass flow meter, motor mount, upper strut mount, headlight assembly, brake rotors, ABS control unit, turn signal assembly, turbo oil return line, front strut assemblies (2), door trim piece, turbo oil seals, etc. It also had a nasty habit of throwing black brake dust from the front rotors down the side of the car. The really bad part is that if it had been even somewhat realiable, this would be an unbelieveable car. It is nice to look at, very comfortable, relatively easy to work on, and it is very cheap on the used market (probably due to the horrible reliability).

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  Most problems & expensive repairs Ive ever experienced - 2003 Volvo S60
  By buddynbrandy - July 12 - 2:30 am

  I bought this car in the hopes it would last a long time. Acceleration sensor went out, the car wouldnt move at take off. About got me killed. $250-$300 to repair. Transmission has slipped since I bought it at 4 years old in 2007. Its getting worse, all fluids, etc have been checked, I have taken excellent care of this car, maint. etc. I heard a strange clanking noise, come to find out, I needed a drive shaft, which was $1400.00 to repair. I have to sell this thing to keep from having to spend thousands on a new transmission. I noticed that its using more gas as time goes on. Never again. I get sick to stomach. Dont buy one, go honda or toyota... Warning: Money Pit!

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  Big Disappointment - 2004 Volvo S80
  By jimmi - June 29 - 12:56 am

  Ive had my car since almost new. For the first couple of years, it performed well. It went through routine maintenance. After 100k, problems started happening. In the last 3 months Ive spent over $4500 on repairs, from buying a new axle, brakes, brushes, repairing leaks...etc. (remind you this car goes through extensive routine service). The car has a nice title, but it comes with a price. Volvo is not the same Volvo weve all knew growing up. Its a Ford 500 :-(. I really dont want to buy a new car, but Im being forced to because I refuse to put another dime on fixing it. Im looking at more practical cars like, honda, acura, toyota, lexus. dont recommend a volvo, new or used.

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  Lemon - 2000 Volvo C70
  By clm - June 27 - 2:00 am

  It was b/w Volvo and BMW. Many more BMWs than Volvos on the road and I now know why. More defects and recalls than any car ever owned. Dealer unable to fix problems - particularly the roof. Depreciates like a rock. At least mine was a lease. Dont be foolish - a worst buy choice.

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  Never Again - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Not A Happy Camper - June 27 - 2:00 am

  We purchased this vehicle used to replace a 1988 Volvo 740. We should have kept the 740! This car has spent more time in the shop than my previous 10 cars of many different makes. My problem areas have been A.C, anti lock brakes, air pump and check valve, cd player, just to name the major areas. Dont think that Volve will come to your aid after the warranty period. If you need an awd wagon,look at the Mercedes of this era. I know I am!

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  2000 S80 Wont buy another - 2000 Volvo S80
  By RGrabber - June 27 - 2:00 am

  This car is expensive to maintain which I anticipated upon purchase. what I didnt anticipate was the amount of maintinance. The electrical system is forever causing problems, I estiamte that I have had 6 bulbs replaced by the dealer and I have replace fuses at least 15 times. The stabilizer (at least thats what the dealer called them) seem to need replacement every 20,000 miles my next replacement (needed now) is outside the warranty. It may look better than previous Volvos but it isnt built better. Ill not replace this one with another Volvo.