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:

• 

  Nuisance problems !! - 2009 Volvo V50
  By Tom - February 23 - 6:00 am

  The "no key system" has a small cap for drivers door lock. This has fallen off on its own 3 times. $90.00 each time to order, have painted,etc. The front airfoil/dam is too low, rubs on curbs, and is frequently scratched/damaged. $650.00+ to replace. The rear roof tapers down so much that load capacity is severely limited, and this includes large dogs who bump their heads on entry. Mileage is about 20. The manual supports use of 87 Octane and up. We have owned 5 previous Volvo wagons going back to 1971. This vehicle doesnt compete !! Worried for the future of Volvo!!

• 

  Stay away! - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Lemon - February 1 - 6:43 pm

  We purchased this car one year ago with 61k miles and have had nothing but problems. It has left me stranded 5 times in the past four months! Very very comfortable to wait for the tow truck in. Every time we get in this car something goes wrong. We are aware of at least $5000 (no exaggerating!) worth of problems with this car. Absolutely the worst car Ive ever owned. We purchased a Volvo for safety and reliability...but stalling at 70mph on the highway with two small children in the dark negates any safety features of this tank. Stay away! We take delivery on our next car (not a Volvo!) tomorrow. Cant wait to get rid of this bomb!

• 

  2010 at 80K - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By cannice - January 12 - 5:24 am

  Within 2 months, Ive had significant repairs that should not happen for my vehicle.1.Both front axles were replaced. 2.A month later, determined that my windshield adhesive deteriorated causing a leak. This leak wreaked havoc to my airbag/sunroof sensors, sunroof motor and required full floor interior replacement. Ive incurred significant costs due to issues that should not have happened. Extended warranty does not cover glass issues. I expected higher quality from Volvo..very disappointed.

• 

  Double trouble - 2008 Volvo S60
  By 2xvolvoowner - January 6 - 9:30 am

  We own both the XC90 and S60and have been frustrated with both vehicles. Both have seen more than their fair share of the service department and the lack of concern from Volvo has been discouraging. In two years of the S60, we have had to replace the ignition switches twice. The emergency cable never really engaged properly so it had to be adjusted as well as the sunroof at a cost. A faulty ABS contact reeel and front axle shaft had to be replaced due to recalls. The headlight washer fell off and had to be replaced twice. As if we didn’t feel nickeled and dimed already, we now have to replace the Fire Trap Housing not covered on the warranty. We are very disappointed.

• 

  Big Problems with 05 XC70 - 2005 Volvo XC70
  By Drea88 - January 4 - 5:36 am

  I have had so many problems with my 2005 XC70, that I am w/o a car more than I am with one. This is my 3rd Volvo and the worst one so far. From the driver door coming open while I was driving twice to gas shooting in my face due to a faulty gas line and cut off. I think I would have been better off with a car that is 20 years old. My car is now inactive again ( every month) because of a faulty trans. Do you think that Volvo or the Volvo dealership will take it back. NO! It is a lemon but of course in PA the lemon law is so crazy that I cant do anything with this car but to leave it in my driveway, due to the numerous times that it breaks down and put myself and my family at risk. So buyer beware

• 

  Best car with horrible problems! - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Angela - December 23 - 11:46 pm

  Love my XC90! We have had too many issues and Volvo has done nothing to help. 1. knob on thermostat broke 2. check engine light came on and remained on till sweeden developed software to correct 3. radio-CD player was changing stations without pressing buttons (rocker switch in steering was bad)4.sunroof leaks & more... We are military living in germany and have US specs on our car. They have blamed that for many of our problems however, Volvo has done nothing to compensate us for the 16 trips to the dealership in the seven months of ownership.They believe driving their product with the check engine light on for six months is acceptable. They are selling us poor quality and horrible service!

• 

  volvo - 2001 Volvo S40
  By not happy - December 16 - 5:26 pm

  Bought this car used about a month ago and can wait to get rid of it, worst designed car i have ever been in, cup holder blocks most of console controls, 12v plug dosent work, really strange noises come from engine compartment-sounds like someone is pulling a heavy box across the ground every once in a while when i am stopped at a light, the engine "bumps" between 30-40mph when i let off the gas and then accelerate again- used to have a maxima- same year- but crashed it- should have bought another maxima- this car is garbage- dont buy it!!

• 

  Constantly in the shop - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By EX-Volvo - December 5 - 7:46 pm

  Ive "owned" my XC60 for 1 month - half the time its been in the shop. Dealership tells me theyre "working on it" - at this point, Ive been paying my lease for a car that I cannot drive. Worst part of this experience - little remorse expressed by dealership, no attempt to take the car back. Dealership tells me that its up to corporate which I found out was a lie (according to corporate). Dont buy this car. Very questionable business practices. Embarrassingly poor customer service

• 

  I think I got hoodwinked - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By Nervous Wife - December 4 - 3:10 pm

  Always wanted a Volvo XC90. Bought one. Very happy when delivered. Thought I got a safe and reliable tank! Wrong! The car broke and was towed to the dealership after one week of ownership. It is now back in my garage. How do you feel when you shelled out 40k for a SUV that breaks this early in your ownership? I now keep my fingers crossed. Read your states Lemon Law. I did. I hope I wont need it. I like this car, but...

• 

  Just dumped my S60 - 2006 Volvo S60
  By Mickey - December 4 - 1:30 pm

  I realized early that this car was not perfect. The drivers seat was uncomfortable, the turning radius must be almost 1/2 mile, the back seat is almost useless. But it handles well, has good power and is fairly good on gas so I kept it. 4 months later the odometer turned over 7500 miles and a written notice lights up on the instrument panel to announce that it is time for scheduled maintenance. I exceed the maintenance and frequency called for by Volvo ... but not at the dealer. I told the dealer when I got the car that Id go elsewhere for service based on convenience. Now they tell me that theyll turn this notice off every 7500 miles for $40. Enoughs enough. Traded it 3 hours later