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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  volvos failure - 1999 Volvo S80
  By e-man - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Inexpensive relative to others in its class?? I remember that write up! What Volvo doesnt charge up front they sure make it up in maintaining this piece of crap. The "on board computer" has been as bad as Windows XP! It has given dealers a new weapon to charge you for things that arent really broken. To name a few sore spots.AC(do the Sweds know what its supposed to do?), transmission problems, fuel pump(60K miles?), sensors, light bulbs?why? Many share this view...as I recommended (months after I first bought my S80) to numerous friends and work associates of which I had three buy the same model! All have spent more money then I have on problems.

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  I wanted to like it BUT... - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By bletour - April 9 - 10:00 am

  Loaded T6 Accel poor unless you slam it to the floor. Slow to downshift Suspension mediocre. This car never feels even a hint of sporty in corners. Seats: Cant get comfortable Lights: "auto" on feature so when it gets dark they turn on, but the high beams wont function in that mode. Rain sensing wipers: Adjust the intermittent control and the rain sensor takes over anyway. "Approach lights": You have to push a separate button on the keyfob from unlock N/V/H... This car makes nasty noises sometimes and never seems smooth. Squeeks and rattles already forming at 10K miles. Build Quality: Doors need to be slammed, compartments stick.

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  Very Disappointed - 2001 Volvo S40
  By Unhappy in Ottawa - April 2 - 10:00 am

  Very poor quality. Engine light kept going on unitl Volvo finally replaced O2 sensor 2 years later. Brakes and tires wear out prematurely. It seems like at every service appointment I must replace the front or rear brakes, not only the pads but also the discs and rotors. Trunk lock and gear shift knob had to be replaced. The worst part is that after 3.5 years the paint started peeling off the car in the area around all 4 wheel wells and where the fenders meet the bumbers. It is clear that this car, which was made in the Netherlands at a factory shared by Volvo and Mistsubishi has a lot more Mitsubishi than Volvo in it. Overall, I am extremely disappointed.

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  Major disappointment - 2003 Volvo S80
  By puchpuppy - March 20 - 6:40 am

  Purchased car with 33000 miles and have been beset with any number of very expensive problems. The most expensive problem was replacing the fuel pump at 43000 miles at a cost of $1000 dollars and suffering an overwhelming smell of gasoline for a month afterward. Now there is a check engine warning that shows a code of failure of fuel system. The estimate on replacing the sensor is in the neighborhood of $800 dollars. The suspension system needs realignment every two thousand miles or so. Am on the third set of tires. Continually replacing headlight bulbs and other bulbs. I am 82 years old and have drive Volvos for years and I do not misuse a car. Am bitterly disappointed with this car!

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  Only 7.7 years not for life - 2001 Volvo S40
  By AJFH - March 10 - 2:53 am

  Purchased this car after seeing it in France in the summer of 2000. We were first impressed by its ride, peppy motor and looks. We thought the car would last well beyond a estimated 10 years..oops big mistake. It is no better than a Chevrolet when it comes to reliability. Numerous visits to the shop for all kinds of repairs. Luckily we bought the 100000 mile warranty. Since it ended in August 2007 over $3000 in repairs have been done and its still doesnt run well. The engine light is continually on. Its just become a headache.

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  Interior Falls Apart - 2000 Volvo C70
  By GlueGun Ready - March 6 - 11:26 pm

  Solid and fun to drive but the interior of this car is literally falling apart. Both door panels have needed to be replaced (at a mere $1000 per door) electrical switches stick, work when they want to, or fall apart. The leather is peeling on the drivers seat and the sunroof assembly constantly needs to be reglued as the glass seperates from the metal. Ive never had a car do this and the darn thing is well taken care of. Amazing for a car with only 25,000 miles - and the dealer just shrugs....

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  All wheel Drive - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By Kevin Lawlor - March 3 - 6:06 am

  One of the worst performing all wheel drive vehicles ever owned. Tires wore out within 18,000 miles, traction is terrible in snow and even on wet roads. Tire dealers comment on how poor the all wheel drive systems are and suggest changing to snow tires for the winter months.

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  THIS CAR IS A LEMON! - 1999 Volvo V70
  By TAW - March 1 - 2:00 am

  This car is the biggest lemon I have ever driven. It was in Volvo service one week after I bought it for electrical issues and continued to be a major problem and financial drain the entire time I owned it. I spent $3,000 in service bills in 2003 alone! Of course Volvo covered everything under warranty. However, I should have dumped the car much sooner based upon the amount of problems I had. Horrible re- sale value. I couldnt give the car away and of course Volvo didnt want to pay anything on a trade-in because they know of the problems. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VOLVO AGAIN! I now drive a Lexus with no problems whatsoever.

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  Maintenance Cost Way to Much!!! - 1999 Volvo S70
  By Scott - February 28 - 5:43 am

  Seems there was always something wrong with this car. If you are looking to buy this car it is a MUST to have an Extended Warranty. If you dont you will go broke very quickly!!

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  Nice vehicle with its share of issues - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By bluedak - February 24 - 7:26 am

  This is my wifes vehicle, which she loves. I am less enthusiastic, as I wish it were more reliable. So far in less than 2 years of having the vehicle, there have been 5 recalls. We have had a dead battery requiring the vehicle to be towed (bad cell). We have had a rear wheel bearing go bad. Both of these occurred at under the 17k currently on it. Factory Pirelli Scorpion zero tires practically bald at less than 12k and replaced on my dime.