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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  Never buying another Volvo - 1998 Volvo V70
  By dotk - December 29 - 5:16 pm

  I bought this car new thinking I would have it for 200,000 miles. Now that Ive reached 100,000, Im ready to give it up. Ive had the usual complaints that other people mentioned (lights, constantly needing new brakes, Check Engine Light that never goes off). I also spent over $1500 replacing the steering rack at a little over 60,000 miles. I cant tell you how many times the dealer has lied to us about repairs needed (they wanted to replace the A/C coil when it was only a leak). While safe, Im happy to be getting whatever little I will get as a trade-in and move on.

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  Engine noise and wimper - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By John miner - December 26 - 5:40 am

  I think a car in this price point should not have a 4 cylinder. It has way too many moving parts with a turbo and supercharger and just very loud and disconcerting from the drivers seat. There is never a case where you will be able to accelerated without downshifting. On paper it says it has acceleration and horsepower but unless you like racing the engine around town you will be wholly underwhelmed. Get a real car with a 6 cylinder.

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  Likes the shop - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By Very dissapointed - December 19 - 11:13 pm

  We trade in our 2006 XC90 to take advantage of a great offer on the new 2007 when it came out. Big mistake. We really liked our 2006 and only had minor issues with it. It drove well and was a good performer. Our 2007 has been a disaster. It has had a horrible ride since day one. It has been in the shop for almost 7 weeks in the first 18 months we have owned it. Both front axle shafts have been replaced, power steering issues along with numerous minor items. Even now, the car jolts over any bump and rides so loudly it is hard to talk in the car. At least it looks nice and we only have a two year lease. Volvo has tried to fix it, and the dealerships have been pleasant, but we give up.

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  No Way - 1999 Volvo V70
  By Tang306a - December 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new. Everything was ok for the first year. After that it went down hill fast. Transmission died at 16k miles, the car eats tires, replaced the alternator, replaced 4 engine mounts, replaced the throttle assembly, leaks anti-freeze all the time, Leather seats wore out, steering wheel covering came off and so on…. I am glad to have gotten rid of the car and would not buy Volvo again

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  Buyer Beware - 1999 Volvo S80
  By dummy - December 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought my S80 T6 on eBay (I know-what was I thinking). In the 8 mos. Ive had the vehicle, Ive dumped over $3000 in repairs. Seems like every time I take it to the shop (which is often) it costs $600. Its really too bad, because this is a great driving car with exceptional comfort and interior features. I wont buy another Volvo because of this, and its dissapointing.

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  Stay Away - 1999 Volvo S70
  By mecjac - December 7 - 6:43 am

  Always told Volvos were reliable cars. This one has had problems since day one. I have gone through 2 sets of O2 sensors and its ready for a 3rd, used both Volvo and OEM before. 02 sensor harnesses. Replaced throttle body. Oil breather box, emissions system, and PCV needs replaced. Replaced ball joints and tie rod ends. Steering still makes noise. Power steering fluid leak. Cam seal oil leak. 2 heater cores replaced. Ate 2 sets of breaks and rotors in 50K. Turbo needs rebuilt. Fuses and bulbs go out all time. Electric seat motors are going out. Cup holders are poorly designed.

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  Wont buy another one - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Nathan - December 3 - 4:30 am

  This is my first review of a car. We have owned the car for 2.5 years and 40,000 miles. We love the looks, size and comfort of the car. But we have had so many little issues it drives me crazy. Here is what we have fixed to date. Brakes all around, broken window switches, twice. fog light buttons were pushed in somehow, driver and passenger seat plastic trim, engine ventilation hose, headlight plastic hazed, engine torque mount, and the driver seat leather is incredibly worn and the steering wheel and shift boot leather is starting to flake. The center console wood is now faded. This for a car that is always garaged and we live in non sunny Oregon!

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  Were Do I Start? - 2001 Volvo V70
  By art - November 11 - 8:40 pm

  I am 59 years old and I have owned about 8-10 volvos during my life. Most recently I purchased a used off of a lease v-70 T-5 with 47000 miles on it. It had a full service till 100K. If it did not have that I would have gone broke. Here is a list. 2 radiators, one ac unit, one transmission, numerous electrical problems, 2 replaced sunroofs. Most recently I have to stuff rags and paper into the sunroof area to keep the sunroof from rattling. Numerous rattles in the car, rough ride and the list goes on. My previous car was an acura which give up the ghost at 225,000 miles. This volvo is a piece of junk. I would stay away like a bad cold. Never again. Then I found out that most of the

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  Not worth the $$$ - 2002 Volvo S40
  By Brendan Kelly - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I have had this car for almost two years and have had it in the shop on at least 5 occasions due to manufacture defects. True, Ive had no serious problems, but after driving a Honda and Nissan into the ground with nary a problem, this is new territory for me. I had to replace the brakes after only 12,000 miles and Volvo tried to convince me that this is normal! The 15K tune-up cost me almost $500. Since Ill exceed 45,000 during my 39 month lease, Ill have to pay almost $1,500 to have the tires rotated and the filters replaced.

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  In the Shop Again!! - 1998 Volvo V70
  By JDR - November 4 - 10:00 am

  The Volvo XC AWD is a reliability nightmare! Mines in the shop today for the 3rd time in 11 months, and 8,000 miles for check engine light being on. This time, Im 19 days out of warranty and theyre replacing the carbon evaporation canister (the 2nd time in 2 years). The bill is $460.00 and Im hopping mad! Oh, lets not forget the stupid light bulb I need replaced this go-around too. The one bulb I wish would burn out (check engine) hasnt! Im seriously contemplating dumping this junky car and return to driving my old, reliable, 140,000 mile, 88 Honda Accord once again.