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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  Not there yet ..... Need more work . No reliable - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By rani sharma - September 8 - 1:30 am

  when the car came out and I reviewed it on line I was so happy that I got a car I wanted to buy . did a test drive and loved the car but center console is too cumbersome and will take some time to get used to. Was bout to pull the trigger but I read multiple reviews on lien about the software issue and poor costumer support of Volvo . One of my co worker who own it and he was Curs***** Volvo right and left when I asked him how his experience with the car. He has issue with the battery Darning for no reason and other software issue. I wanted to like this car so bad but with so may issue I decided to go with time tested Mercedes. Sorry Volvo I really loved this car and how it looks and technology but may be I have to wait for next 5-6 yrs before they fix the bugs . I owned a Honda for seven years and never a problem with it .

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  Electronics were the worst I have ever encountered - 2017 Volvo S90
  By Terribly Disappointed - June 5 - 5:39 am

  Volvo designed a spectacularly beautiful vehicle and destroyed it with an inadequate computer system. It was as if the entire car depended upon a Windows 95 operating system that needed defragmentation and rebooting every day. Systems froze constantly but at random, providing a bad entertainment system of a sort. Applications never worked. Mobile WiFi connectivity was usually beyond the cars ability (displaying a nearly-ubiquitous message of "No connection to service"). On my last drive the drivers seat moved on its own, the cruise control failed, the pilot assist failed, and the rear brakes (which had been replaced once) resumed their habit of bringing the car to a stop (when in reverse) with a lurch and a boom (as if I had hit something, which was never the case). I have driven a Volvo for 33 years and still own some older ones, but I do not think I will ever buy another one. Update: I traded in the vehicle and took the loss now as opposed to later. It was only going to get worse. Months later Volvo USA sent me a nice magazine, which went immediately into the recycle bin.

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  Chinese Engineering! - 2015 Volvo V60
  By Jeff D - April 28 - 5:39 pm

  Do you like a car to be stylish? Do you like your car to perform? Do you like your car to have seamless phone connectivity? Do you like a car that makes you say "WOWZER!" when you get in and it roars to life? If you have answered "yes" to any of these, then you should pass by the V60. The bluetooth entertainment system facilitates that the driver will need to physically use his/her phone to navigate through music selections. Power? There is none. I cant imagine having a load of family and bags in this thing and trying to cross a busy road. I have no confidence in doing so solo. Selecting manual shift mode will help somewhat, but even then, the shifting is so delayed that you could get stuck trying to get out of traffic in a hurry. Style? It has the style appeal of a harvest gold dishwasher in a granite and stainless steel kitchen. Youve no doubt heard the expression that one could screw up a ball bearing....Welcome Chinese ingenuity to the world of Volvo.

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  Great ride but electronic nightmare - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By CGleas - January 15 - 2:18 pm

  I love the ride and the drive of this vehicle. However, it has had one electronic glitch after another-each computer reboot leads to a new issue that cant seemed to be resolved at the dealer (Volvo of Louisville). The touch pad has gone completely blank, the temperature gauge can have wild swings, the apps dont work well- the latest is that when I start the car or first back it up in the morning, the radio changes from sirius XM to a Christian FM channel. I have the beige Napa leather seats but the drivers seat has worn thru the finish and I await a new seat cover for a car that is 11 months old. Unless you have much time to spend at the dealer, I would not recommend this vehicle. I tried to trade it in, at the dealer where it was purchased, and was told I would have to pay $52000 in addition to turning in this vehicle to get an similar XC90 ($32000 is owed). Shocking, right? but Kelly the manager said this was her best offer. Do the math, my car is worth about $23000 according to this manager. I would consider this extremely poor resale or an extremely poor manager. Anyhow Im stuck with an untrustworthy and overpriced vehicle for now.

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  Worst New Car Experience Ever - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By DCHammer - September 13 - 11:22 pm

  The 2016 T8 Volvo XC90 was the car I wanted to love. Looked forward to owning it as soon as I heard it was in the works in 2014. Got what appeared to be a good deal on the lease. Unfortunately for this $70K car, Ive had more days in the shop for repeated repairs than all the other automobiles Ive owned in 4 decades put together. Software problems, sunroof water leak problems, transmission problems, navigation problems, acceleration problems. Now it needs to go back in the shop again and the local Volvo dealer has closed. The nearest Volvo dealer that will take care of warranty service is 5 hours away. Volvo is not interested in taking back their lease. I will be investigating our states lemon law. If youre looking for a good PHEV, I suggest the Ford CMax Energy. Half the price, twice the car except for smaller size and no AWD option.

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  NEVER AGAIN - 2000 Volvo S40
  By SLOWVOLVO - June 25 - 10:00 am

  Ive had every problem thats been discussed. Brakes wear out at 15K, front head lights burn out after 5K, the piece of junk has always vibrate at 70 miles per hour. I suggest before you buy one of these, you take it out on the Interstate and get it up to speed. Dyer & Dyer Chamblee really should feel guilty for allowing these pieces of junk to sit in their showroom and for providing years of terrible service. All in all, the car is sooo bad, it sits parked in my garage. Terrible just terrible. I will not only never purchase a Volvo again, Ill never purchase a FORD again, since Ford in responsible for this junk.

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  worst car ever !!! - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Los Cabos - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Replace transmission 2 times going to third. Its worst car ever !! Avoid Volvo brand!

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  STAY AWAY FROM THIS CAR!!! - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Vick M. - March 26 - 9:57 pm

  Reading the reviews on here, I cant believe my eyes. But then I see that most people raving about this car also say this is one of the only cars theyve ever owned, so that puts things into context. This is HORRIBLY EXPENSIVE AND UNRELIABLE CAR. Ill get into that in a little while, but let me list the pros and cons before I list all the reliability issues. Pros - Exterior has a classic, timeless look. Not unlike a similar year BMW 5 Series. - Luxury car with low resale value, inexpensive to buy - Great Handling on corners - Turbo Engine available with non-premium gas Cons - TURNING RADIUS IS THE WORST IVE EVER SEEN IN A SEDAN. - Horribly designed cabin. Cheap hard plastic at literally all of the places you rest your knees when you drive. (Door handle and side of middle gear shift console). - Small back window and poor visibility - Fuel Economy is crap. Its 19/27 and most of the 3 years I spent driving this car, I averaged sub 21 mpg. Its only recently with 90% highway driving that Im getting 24 mpg combined - Sound System and Speakers are lacking - Center console/dash is just ugly - Green interior lights give it a 1980s feel. My 03 Honda Accord Coupe had red and gray. Now for the REAL problem. I bought this used with 75K and am now at 120K. I made the decision early on not to put money into this vehicle unless it was for required maintenance Best decision Ive made as it has saved me over 10K in repairs in that time. - CD Player doesnt eject any CDs or take any CDs in. On/Off button is glitchy, and there is an electrical short somewhere in the car that Im 90 % sure is related to the non-working audio system. I havent used it AT ALL for the last 15K miles because it almost killed me, twice. - That electrical short, on TWO occasions, KNOCKED OUT THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER AND MY CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO EXPLODE! I HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE AND CALL TRIPLE AAA. I literally havent turned on stereo since because Im scared for my life when I drive this car. Both times the transmission shop said that nothing can be done because the short is ruining the transmission computer unless I want to spend hundreds of dollars to find the short. Better not to use the stereo at all. - The drivers side leather seat has completely ripped at both sides. The passengers side power window adjuster broke so now I cant use that window (the part is 300+) and the shocks on that side are messed up too. - There is rattling from 3 or 4 different areas and the window noise from the passengers side window is super loud. - The Fuel gauge is idiotic. 75-80% of your car fuel can be used and still be on half way and then the other half of your fuel gauge empties out incredibly quickly. This is a HORRIBLE car. I had a 03 Honda Accord coupe that was in a frontal collision and drove for 130K miles with absolutely no problems even coming close to the issues Ive had with this car. STAY AWAY.

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  Buyers Be Very Aware!! - 2017 Volvo XC90
  By JT - March 5 - 4:33 am

  Oh, were do I start? I will keep this short. DO NOT buy a new model year Volvo XC90. Our first 2016 XC90 was in the shop more than we drove it. Volvo ended up buying it back from us. The problems are too many to list, but range from dashboard and info screens going dark (while driving), auto park feature wanting to engage when stopped at a stop light, exhaust noises during acceleration, AC not working properly from time to time, the $2,600 B&W sound system whos speaker grills rattle more than anyone should tolerate and driver profile settings not working/syncing with the key fobs, acceleration is jerky and anything but smooth (we have the Polestar performance chip installed) and various infotainment glitches. Now the kicker, Volvo wanted to keep us "in the family" and worked a deal to get us a new 2017. LOL, this one has the same issues and has been in the shop 5 more times, with one of those service appts lasting 4 weeks. Also, it gets terrible gas mileage (15 mpg city-20 mpg hwy) and the ride is so stiff it’s worse than driving my BMW with the sports suspension pkg. You feel EVERY bump and crack and not in a good way. The whole driving experience is like a twitchy, nervous gazelle before a lion feeding frenzy. Don’t believe all the reviews that paint a glorious picture after driving this SUV for a few hours. The designers, engineers and Volvo management should be ashamed of the car they approved and built I wish we would have walked away after the first one was returned. Now I see why the original Volvo company went bankrupt. Never Again

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  This car was NOT ready for prime time - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By MrMan - February 21 - 12:31 am

  I was one of the first to take delivery of the 2016 model (non-first edition). The car is great if you are just taking it for a short test drive. All of those glowing reviews.... Were from reviewers that took it on a few hour test drive. Actually owning the car was a different story. Mine leaked twice, and after a long, drawn out, months and months long story, it was lemond and I got into a Q7, which is far and away a better vehicle. Its not even close. And the leaking wasnt the only problem that I had. For the first several months that I owned the vehicle, my car spent more than 30 days in the shop. The support from VCNA and the dealers is just awful. I could literally go on and on for pages about my experience, but Ill just leave it at that.