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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  Money-sucking disaster - 2000 Volvo S80
  By anosmic - October 30 - 2:00 am

  Only a repair shop could bear to own this vehicle, and then only if they had infinite access to free replacement parts. I havent had the personal resolve to total up the repair bills we have had on this car, conservatively $15000 in less than 4 years. The design crew Volvo hired for this car were definitely in way over their heads, unless they are getting a cut on the repair bills from the Volvo shops.

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  Dont buy this Car! - 2006 Volvo C70
  By Chris - October 24 - 2:26 pm

  I bought this car in late July and have had nothing but problems. It has been in the shop for 30 days for to get the roof to stop leaking, and to fix look at the electronic roof system since on it stops for no reason during closing. It only closes half way and then stops. After thirty days, the issues are still not fixed. In addition, we have had issues with the stereo system and the passenger airbag... AGAIN, DONT BUY THIS CAR. We are looking to pursue the lemon law options to return this car!

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  A little troublesome but a great value used. - 2007 Volvo S60
  By veiles71@gmail.com - October 11 - 10:33 pm

  Purchased in 2016 with 58,000 miles for only $5,000. Cosmetically in very good condition. Ride on the highway is excellent and gas mileage at around 30 MPG is acceptable. However, in town, the car is very cumbersome with a heavy feel and a terrible turn radius making it difficult to park in tight spots. In the year that I have owned it, 2 rear light bulbs and one of the headlight bulbs have gone out. The headlight bulb cost $150 at the dealer and would have cost me then again as much if I had not installed it myself. The coolant level light has gone on 4 times so Im losing coolant. Since I only drive such that the level is down every 2 months, I have not looked into getting it repaired. The check engine light came on and the code indicated a failed fuel system emissions pump failing. When I checked with the dealership, they told me they would have to diagnose it again at a cost of $130. When I explained to them that after checking on the internet I found that this was a common problem and was due to issues with the software and that there should be an extended warranty covering the software update. Was told my car was out of warranty by 2 months even though the mileage was only half the limit. Went back on the internet and discovered that Volvo offers a free software update that covers all issues. Called the local dealer and after convincing them that I do not have to have any "service" done to qualify for the software upgrade, finally had it done. No issues with the check engine light since. Overall, I see why the resale value is so low. Having said that, the S60 is a lot of car for price and Id buy a used one again. Probably not a new one, though.

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  A mistake - 2002 Volvo S40
  By 18yearolddriver - October 6 - 10:00 am

  With no added options, not even a CD player, the car came with nothing. 100 watts of sound is barely enough to drown out the loud engine and the sounds of the road. You can hear everything on the road, and everyone can hear the sound coming from your car. Very thin doors. Poor placement of cup holders, and they are square. Since when are cups square? Many problems: brakes, tires, steering wheel, wipers (headlight and windsheild), and the windshield itself. Weak body is prone to little dings that occur with everyday driving. Gas and brake pedals too close to each other!

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  Dont Buy a Volvo - 1999 Volvo S70
  By Fish - September 29 - 10:00 am

  The car looks great and runs great, when it runs. In the four months Ive owned it it has been back to the dealership 5 times. Everything that need to be fixed was minor but the fact that it needed to be fixed at all was incredibly unacceptable. When they say Volvo certified, DONT BELIEVE THEM!

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  Go for a long test drive - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By missi4 - September 28 - 12:09 am

  After a week of driving the XC60, I noticed a problem with the transmission, a hesitation when accelerating from a complete stop/speeding up to pass etc. Like driving manual transmission in the wrong gear. Took it for service repetedly. Volvo wouldnt admit a problem and told me to use premium fuel. One mechanic said its a 5000lb car you have to gun it (!!). Finally they said they knew what was wrong and to wait for a software update, that took 6 months. It helped but the problem was still there. Volvo went back to saying there was nothing wrong with the car. After a year, I had had it and asked how much they would give me for the car to end this, Carmax gave me more. The GPS stinks too.

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  Squeaky and Breaky - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By vsm - August 26 - 10:46 am

  First 4 months: Overheated as Volvo didnt tighten coolant fluid hose at factory and all of the coolant leaked out. Nice early engine stress. Squeaky center console that moans and groans with every turn. Vibrating turn signal wires in wheel well (fun 8 hour drive). Squeaky center console fixed second time. Vibrating turn signal wires identified after third try. Squeaky center console fixed third time. Radio decided to play half speakers for 6 hours (on an 8 hour trip). Rear windshield washer used -"Im wet! whats happening?!"- dripped all over our 6 year old (inside the car, windows up, sun roof closed, in her seat in the second row). Leaked through the headliner. Still Squeaking! Joy!

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  Disappointing Fiasco - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Disappointed Fiasco - August 24 - 10:00 am

  Volvo should be embarrassed with how this vehicle has seriously tarnished thier reputation. From day one, we experienced multiple electrical problems, such A/C staying on after shutoff, molding falling off, idiot lights that indicated engine trouble, malfunctioning locks, doors, batteries, etc. Everytime car brought in to Volvo 128, service department claimed nothing was wrong. This car & most importantly the dealer were a complete fiasco that sheds Volvo in a light different from what they spent years trying to develop.

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  Electronic Problems, costly maintenance - 2005 Volvo V50
  By sue - August 23 - 12:50 pm

  I like driving the V50. The problem with it is the electronices. Had to have the air worked on twice under warranty thank God. The home link, the air conditioning, radio and the cruise control have all needed computer updates. Im afraid of what will happen when it goes off warranty. Less than 5,000 miles left. I was also told that Volvo doesnt offer extended warranties. I would have to buy one of the after market warranties. The cost of regular maintenance is high. The maintenance today costs me over $500. That was an oil change, cabin filter change, coolant flush and front brake pads.

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  A lemon of a car! - 2005 Volvo S60
  By ddd - August 8 - 12:30 pm

  Thankfully I was able to return this vehicle under CA lemon law. In 12 months I had taken it in for brake squeak/squeal on 7 separate occasions. Tried euro spec pads, update US pads, deglazing rotors, etc. No fix worked. What good is a stealthy car if everyone around you is staring because of the HORRIBLE squeal from the brakes. Trust me, on many occasions I had to roll up my window because I couldnt stand the noise! And on top of all that, the Service Manager had the guts to tell me, "well all brakes squeak; its part of normal day-to-day sounds of a working car" To their credit, Volvo paid me back in full less $433 of accrued costs through ~1,000mi when I first reported the problem)