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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  XC-90 Horiible reliabiliy - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Rich4rennlist - August 7 - 11:00 am

  I purchased a 2005 Volvo XC90 for my wife. She was driving a ML 320 and did not enjoy the drive nor the styling. Weve enjoyed the owners driving school which was offered by Volvo for its owners but everything else has been a huge headache. The XC90 has been at the dealer 6 times since purchase (the car is only 5 months old). The check engine light came on 2 days after Ive purchased the car. The dealer has not been able to figure out the problem. Everytime the car is at the dealer, they are confident that the problem is solved. They were wrong 6 times. It makes my wonder if any of the safety features are in working order. I cant wait to get rid of it. I regret purchasing it.

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  Out-of-Warranty! - 2000 Volvo S40
  By MartySullivan - August 5 - 2:00 am

  Happy w/car throught the warranty.Still had the check engine light,headlight, and brake problems. Now that the warranty is over and the dealer refuses to help this car is falling apart! I disagreed with all the negatives, I thought these would last past the warranty period, guess not. I will never buy Volvo again.

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  Horrible Turbo Lag - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By thorcen - August 4 - 1:33 am

  This car has some very nice styling but for an almost $50,000 car it has some very real problems. It has the worst turbo lag that I have ever driven, I test drove a 5 cyl. model but bought the T6. When the defrost is on, there is no heat on the floor, so if you need to have it on, your feet will freeze. The ride and comfort are great but with the problems that I talked about, I would not recommend it to anyone.

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  >Sorry I bought one...:(< - 2004 Volvo V70
  By Lemon - August 2 - 8:13 am

  Im sorry I bought my Volvo V70R. Why? Nothing but "Problems". Its been in the shop almost every month since I got my lemon and Im tired of it. Volvo in general has poor customer service and they just dont care. The workmanship is poor for such a $$$ car. Outside window rubber curling, brake problems, lots of electrical problems and the list goes on. What is too bad is that the "lemon" drives well, handles well, is comfortable, has lots of room. Volvo has lost a customer, because of incompetence and terrible customer service (both National & Local). I WILL be selling my Lemon soon and NEVER looking at a Volvo again.

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  Stay Away from the S60 - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Jeff - July 27 - 1:16 am

  I loved this car for the first 3 years, but it has turned into a nightmare during the last year. I have poured more than $3,000 into repairs in just 10,000 miles past the 4 year/50,000 mile waranty. The throttle modulator went out at 50,750 miles. No help from Volvo and $500 to repair. Then a piston went out in the transmission at 54,000 again no help from Volvo, paid $2,000. Then at 56,000 the passenger door lock panel went out to the tune of another $400. Just recently I was getting gas and the fuel door fell off. $125 later I was back on the road to dump this dog. The biggest problem is that these are common problems with the S60s and Volvo (Ford) is ignoring them and the owners.

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  Car is fine, Service is a Killer - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Jackie T - July 26 - 10:00 am

  The design of this car is fine, but the service in our area is terrible. We have incurred almost $10,000 in repair costs not including regular maintenance. Thank goodness for the extended warranty. Three of the lights, including one headlight have fallen out! We drove away from a regularly scheduled maintenance without oil! We cant wait to get rid of this car, which is unfortunate. We really like the car, but the cost to maintain is a nightmare. I feel sorry for the poor chap who buys one of these used. We will never buy a Volvo again.

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  The Mechanics Love this Car! - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Duff - July 21 - 7:56 pm

  Second Volvo I owned, probably my last. I have replaced the tires 2x with only 25K+ miles on odometer, replaced air conditioner 3x, radio in for repair 2x, seal on my driver side door 4x, and a few misc interior finish pieces had to be replaced. Not to mention every time I take it in for service, something is being replaced for recall. I had a 240DL brick which I put 256,000 miles on, never had a problem with the car other than routine stuff. I am not happy with this vehicle, drives like a bus, has major quality issues, and trying to operate the radio while driving is a joke.

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  Noisy & uncomfortable ride - 2008 Volvo S80
  By Gail - July 19 - 4:03 am

  I leased the S80 at the end of Sept. I have noticed that the tires made an awful loud noise when driving moderate & high speeds. The wind noise at 50+ mph is unbelievably loud. I have been back to the dealer twice, 3 tires were replaced because they were defective. The tire noise & vibration is still there. the tires are Continental. My owners manual had tire info for 2 other brands. I guess Continentals are cheaper for Volvo. I am shocked by the poor ride from a supposedly good company. My VW Passat rode much nicer. I drive the same highways to work an hour each way, so noise is very upsetting. I will try to go up the ladder for the tires I should have had. I was told the wind noise is norm

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  Update to an earlier review - 2008 Volvo XC70
  By an update - July 3 - 3:26 pm

  I loved the car. At first. Then it broke. A lot. Eventually even Volvo gave up and gave me my money back after 15 months. I really did like driving the car when I could. But it was a lemon.

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  2005 Volvo XC90 - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By littlerock2 - June 23 - 1:37 pm

  I bought a 2005 Volvo XC90 new in Feb of 2006 at the dealership in Athens GA. In Dec. of 2011, transmission had to be rebuilt at 87,000 miles for $4200 - dealership wanted $6500. Then in April 2012 at 92,000 miles, the engine started knocking - balance rod failure. I looked on line and Volvo has known that both these failures could occur in this make and model. Never did I receive any recall or info. I contacted Volvo of North America who offered no help to pay for these repairs. I did not rebuild engine - would cost almost what car was worth. I sold it to an auction company for $3600. Now drive a Toyota Highlander. Will never trust Volvo again.