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:

• 

  Mediocre Car - 2000 Volvo S40
  By VOLVOS40DRVR - August 6 - 10:00 am

  The S-40 is an average attempt by Volvo to create a fun little sedan that will appeal to a younger demographic. Ive had no major issues with mine, but little things have plagued me... especially that darn "check engine" light that seems to need resetting every month. The paint is of very poor quality and looks much older than three years even though Ive had the car repainted. The leather seats have already started to crack and the car has less than 40k miles. Overall, I would not recommend this particular car.

• 

  On the 4th transmission! Terrible car - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Ericg - August 5 - 10:00 am

  I bought the car certified pre-owned, THANK GOD. Im on the 4th transmission - Im an easy, family driver, this car is terrible from a mechanical standpoint. Ive had the front axle replaced, seats breaking after small kids sit on them, emergency brake problems, fuel door breaking, etc., etc. I like the car, but the mechanical problems are simply unacceptable for a car in this price range.......and clearly Volvo/the dealership doesnt care about transmission issues since they are replacing it for the 4th time ON THEIR NICKEL - they said each was a new trans...yeah... Gas mileage is bad, also. All considered, I regret buying this car. My advise is to stay clear, if not, please buy mine!

• 

  so NOT for life! - 2002 Volvo S60
  By DL - August 3 - 4:50 pm

  I will never set foot in a Volvo dealership again. First, an acorn cracked the windshield. My husband would NEVER have believed me if he had not been driving the car when it happened. Light bulbs have failed the entire 81,000 miles (I have lost count), gas door fell off, starter replaced TWICE (service says it may have more to do with the solenoid valve), oil pan is shot, car leaks oil. It is currently sitting in my driveway because it will not start for me to unload it on a trade.

• 

  Mechanical Cascade Failure - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Plantiful - July 27 - 7:30 pm

  Bought this car, used, and it was fine until it was maintenance time. Once you need a clutch and/or timing belt replacement, it is downhill from there: Since April, we have replaced the braking system, a leaking drive boot/seal, heating core and 2 window motors (did myself), a seat belt that would not release, a power steering rack 2 weeks ago, and this week, we are featuring a mysterious motor-oil leak of some significance. Most of the interior plastic is broken, as it is some cheap junk Ford must have introduced, paint has been off of the bumpers for some time. After 120,000 miles, just say "No".

• 

  rolling blunder - 2002 Volvo S80
  By michael torres - July 19 - 3:30 pm

  volvo touts its safety features but its hard to have an accident when the auto is in the shop for repairs. acelerator module, struts, turbo seal leaks are common. volvo knows this and wont recall. do i hear class action lawsuit? save yourself some headaches and look elswhere. these autos suck.

• 

  New Volvo for me - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By MatthewP - July 1 - 10:53 pm

  Within two months the windshield crack not cover by the manufacturing warranty. Too small for 7 seaters, will not fit teen for a trip.

• 

  No more VOLVO - 1999 Volvo S80
  By skipper - June 6 - 10:00 am

  Can you spell unreliable. Let me help you! VOLVO 1999 S-80 T6. If time and money are no object, here is your car. You will need both for your numerous trips to the service department. If you enjoy seeing your check engine warning light illuminate weekly this is the vehicle for you. What an engineering flaw. Obviously others have had the same problems I have experienced, yet no releif from Volvo exists. I have steered numerous friends and clients away froming buying this vehicle. Could be a great car but sadly isnt. Look to BMW, Acura for better value and more reliability.

• 

  Waited all my life - 2016 Volvo XC60
  By New Mexico driver - May 13 - 3:59 pm

  All I have ever wanted was a Volvo. I could not afford the 90, but test drove it anyway. Bought the 60, even though I am a bells and whistles kind of girl. Boy did I settle. I live in the mountains at over 7000 feet and we get a lot of snow. Even without snow, my drive up the mountain is switchbacks. I need power and it needs to look good as well. Boy, was I rudely awakened. The difference in the 60 and 90 is HUGE! Ok, I got over it and took the 60. Empty nester was my excuse. Point A to B. The eco sucks. Restart is so loud. And delay on start up will leave you in a lurch, regardless of "turbo ". Ok turn off eco. Car surges. At a complete stop and it moves ar least a few inches more before complete stop. Please gage your distance. Less than 1000 miles and black sutt in tail pipes. Backup cam, $1200 add on stays on when in drive. Interior, excellent, luxurious, except when the passenger door does not unlock when you push button on drivers side door. I received a great deal for my trade in. Rebates and discounts were unbelievable. Customer service was impeccable. But did I buy a lemon or just need to work out the kinks. New Mexico driver

• 

  Disappointed - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By California Mom - May 13 - 10:00 am

  We bought this car planning to take long road trips. The seat back has real problems. It is very stiff leather, not conforming to the body like leathers weve owned before, Further, it is poorly configured for a shorter person...breaks in the wrong places and is unforgiving. Additionally, the headrest does not adjust. Small foot well(no room for purse and sit straight). Dual air conditioning is usual in many car of this price range. Navigation hard to use and hard to see v. in dash ones weve had before. Clock is unreadable by passenger.

• 

  Im Glad Its Gone - 2000 Volvo S40
  By Mrs. Showers - May 4 - 2:00 am

  I have never had so many problems with a car in my life. It has spent time in the shop (averaged out) every four months. It was in 33 days at one point for a cracked battery casing which caused battery acid to spew in the engine compartment. The control module and several other parts had to be replaced. The headlights also burned out frequently. The mileage never impressed me. Not enough room for more than 1 passenger.I took a bath financially to get rid of this leased vehicle and Im glad I did. I will say that I felt like I was in a foreign film when I went zipping down our narrow side streets.