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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  Service Problems - 2006 Volvo C70
  By John - June 26 - 9:00 am

  This car is beautiful to look at but is at the dealership more often than at home. Leaks, stereo speaker rattles, and in three times for airbag indicators coming on. Add to that the tires wearing out completely after less than 10k miles with no assistance from volvo and Im not a happy camper. Tires cost $1200 to replace at under 10k miles.

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  Never-ending repairs - 1998 Volvo V70
  By adampeart - June 18 - 12:30 pm

  I admit it. I fell for the comfort, space and "safety" of my 98 V70XC. I purchased the vehicle used, and everything seemed to function for the first month or two of owning it. Then the onslaught of malfunctions and glitches began. In the two years of owning this car I have had the following work done on it: 3 headlights, 2 tail-lights, 8 new tires, two alignments, CV joint replacement, ABS Control Module($700), Viscous Coupler (drivetrain issue-$1700), 2 sets of brake pads, 4 new rotors, engine mount replacement, and ETM replacement ($700). There is still a long list of comfort features that dont work, but I cant afford to fix - interior lighting, power windows/seats, etc., etc.

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  DON - 2004 Volvo S60
  By none123 - June 11 - 10:00 am

  The second day I owned the car I got stuck! Volvo has still not found the problem (2 months later). Certainly, things like car trouble will happen. But the truly concerning issue is the TERRIBLE customer service I have received from the dealership. (Another interesting defect I found was that the interior lights dim when the hazard warning lights flash...good luck looking at map while you are stopped by the side of the road.) My advice...dont make the same mistake I made. Spend a little more and buy a Mercedes.

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  The Worst Car Ever! - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Bowman - June 4 - 11:56 pm

  We bought the 2000 model after threatening our dealer with a lemon law suit for the 1999 model we purchased 60 days prior. Dealer took the car back at full refund and offered us the 2000 model for a "deal". I wish they would have just kicked us in the head. Two ABS modules, engine struts, 3 radios, 3+ software upgrades, bi-annual computer resets (the kind that required a shuttle to and from work), two extended warranties (paid for themselves in six months), suspension problems. I would estimate the maintenance cost for this car have exceeded $20k. If it was a plane or a boat we would be dead. I thought Volvo Corp. could be trusted to release a product complete.

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  Great car, but.... - 1999 Volvo S80
  By ss21 - May 15 - 2:00 am

  In the year Ive owned this vehicle, the ABS brake module, air mass sensor, engine mounts, tie rods, power steering stops, and a vacuum line had to be replaced. And the car only has 40000 miles on it. Other than that, the car has been excellent. Great performance, looks good, and drives well - when its not in the shop. I would highly recommend against buying this vehicle unless you have a second car and lots of money to spend on repairs/maintenance. Otherwise, just buy a Honda.

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  Glorified Yugo - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Doug - May 12 - 3:56 am

  I can agree with the safety and reliability written about this car. The comfort is just marginal. What destroys this car is the turning radius! The car is slow and the gas mileage is average. The interior is sooo small. I have a child seat in the back and it takes over the backseat! Being 62" is a real problem with the interior size. Overall, I would never get another Volvo!

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  Worst Car I Ever Had - 2000 Volvo V70
  By bdbest - May 4 - 8:00 pm

  Not even used cars I ever had gave me the problems this car did. Elegant and fun to drive, all that offset by its unreliability I had to tow it at least Two Dozen times. Its a shame.

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  Volvos Reliability Vampire - 1999 Volvo S80
  By teamsc10190 - May 4 - 10:00 am

  The Volvo S80 is a beautiful car with traditional Volvo virtues. Unfortunately it became apparent in short order that Volvo neglected to finish development before they released the car to market. The car is filled with substandard materials, and design, parts, and build defects. Clearly Volvo was more concerned with short-term profit than the welfare and retention of customers. While the car is a pleasure to drive when its working, its a short lived pleasure because the breakdowns are reliably frequent. Routinely shedding parts like a snake sheds skins, this car is a service nightmare.

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  THIS IS JUST HONEST - 1999 Volvo S70
  By TOO BAD - April 30 - 8:50 am

  I so wanted a volvo. Less than a year after purchasing my car my check engine light went on - it has basically been on ever since. Try passing AIMS test with that. I have paid several times to have the car hooked up to a "Volvo" computer to get the problem codes. Ater a while, I just taped a picture of my dog over the numerous lights that go off and on for no apparent reason. It is comfortable inside and looks great on the outside. Hate the cup holders (what genius designed that) Anyway, hate the thought of buying another car but may have to - will it be a volvo, for sure - NOT. Give me the basic designs of the 60s and 70s when you used to be able to change your own oil!

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  Worst Vehicle Every Purchased - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Brian - April 8 - 7:43 am

  Probably in the top 5 worst cars every made. 7yr old car, with 89k mi. Here is the short list: Warning lights constantly going off. Engine constatnly surges, even after multiple trips to dealer, multi software downloads and new throttle installed. Transmission is slipping. ABS system failed. Already replaced front bushings, struts, strut mounts and bearings. After 2nd set of new rotors, still vibrates like crazy when stopping. Cloth interior drooping, seats cracking. Sunroof brackets coming off. Headlight assembly is bad. AC fan vibrates and makes noise. Incredible depreciation rate! Owe $6500 on car and will have to put $3 to $5k to fix tranmission. Volvo wont help! Warranty ended in 06.