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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  First Year XC90...Gremlins - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By hpark - October 25 - 10:13 pm

  Bought the T6 as a certified used car from a local dealership in 2004 with 24K on it...thank goodness for warranty as this vehicle was in the shop too often..during our first year of ownership approx 4 visits and about 1.5 months of non-use as they finally determined the engine block was cracked which caused a perpetual coolant bleed into the cylinders...plus since then sunroof drain blockage caused water to leak into the vehicle and soak all of the electrical in front. Tires burn through in about 20k miles and a window switch that sank into the door panel. Guess this is part of the First year gremlins that came out...long story short...I think the Japanese earned their quality reputation.

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  EXTREMELY high maintenance - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Ext HIGH Maintenance - October 17 - 10:00 am

  Maybe they have worked the kinks out by now, but after my experience with my S80 I will NEVER own another Volvo again. It has been EXTREMELY high maintenance, in the shop for warranty repairs over 30 times in 4 years and drives poorly. It does not "hold the road" and over-sensitive steering makes it almost dangerous in hairy situations. I would sell it but the resale value is NOTHING!!! $16K for a low mileage car I paid $42K for... I bought it because I loved the way it looked and I have been regretting it ever since it went to the shop for the first time with only 800 miles on it.

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  Unique but poor design! - 2000 Volvo C70
  By dezitrondeluxe - October 15 - 2:01 pm

  When I bought this car it was already 5 years old and over 90,000 miles and now it is up to 130,000. I have taken such good care of this car yet I always have to take it to the shop for major problems. It has had electrical problems from day one, the throttle is going out and so is the transmission. There was a recall on the electronic throttle in 06 I was never aware of. From what I have read online this car was just a bad design because everyone else I know with other Volvo models have not had nearly as many problems as I have with the c70. I admit I love its aesthetics because it is so sleek and rare but I spent over eight grand fixing it. Not worth it!

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  Stranded - 2004 Volvo V70
  By Stranded Again - October 12 - 10:00 am

  I have driven more miles on the loaner than on my own car. I have owned this car for 30 days and 12 of them have been in the garage. So far the car has left me stranded twice. Then to add insult to injury they pick up the non-working car, and leave my wife and children* on the street to call our own cab and arrange our own rental car after hours on a holiday weekend. I would have to say I am dissappointed. * wife and children - For whom you bought the car, so they would be safe!

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  Not sure I would buy another one - 2004 Volvo S40
  By Paul - October 10 - 12:33 am

  I really enjoy the way this car handles and drives. However, I have had a lot of mechanical problems. As a result, it has been in the shop more than any car I have ever owned. The transmission sometimes kicks hard when it shifts and the dealer keeps telling me this is normal. This car gets pretty bad ratings from Consumer Reports, something I wish I would have checked before buying. My warranty will run out soon and I will definitely trade it when when it does. I doubt I will buy another Volvo because of the mechanical issues. My wifes Toyota is much more reliable and more than likely I will trade my car for a Toyota when the time comes.

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  First and Last Volvo - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By New Birdman - October 6 - 10:00 am

  Purchased this XC70 at the beginning of the year and have had numerous drive train problems that require ordering parts and waiting. Cruise control went out on the way to have it serviced! Now the front passenger door wont open from the inside. Lots of road noise and clunking sounds. This car is not worth the money--cant wait to get rid of it.

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  Too many problems dont buy - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By bob458 - October 4 - 11:10 am

  Bought a used xc90 from volvo. We have averaged a new problem every 2000 miles. Including a breakdown leaving my pregnant wife stranded and now flickering headlights that cant be fixed despite visits to the dealership and throwing money at it. (computers and modules are next on the list) It would be nice if the dealership looked like they knew how to fix what is apparantly a common problem on their vehicles... So its going to be traded in with a 6 mth loss of 5-6k. Looks pretty but its not engineered well nor built well - certainly not the volvos of old.

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  Im driving a Vord - 2002 Volvo V40
  By Vord owner - September 30 - 2:00 am

  The good is overshadowed by the bad: Brakes @ 15K miles, windshield @ 12K, cruise control / headlights @ 24K, tires @ 25K. Worst was thermostat @ 25K. Dealer flushed the system to find "peanut butter" like substance. Dealer says this is "bars leaks" (never heard of it). Dealer says this was added and is reason for thermostat failure. The car has been serviced by 3 volvo dealers only! All deny adding this. It could impact the radiator, new thermostat, and my warranty. Volvo of North America will do nothing! From my experience with the manufacturer, dealer, and car its clear that I bought a Vord. Stay away from this vehicle, it will only disappoint you.

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  C70 i can belive how bad the quality is. - 2000 Volvo C70
  By Saint - September 29 - 10:00 am

  I loved the first minute i saw this car. So i got it, and its the worst thing it ever happend. I visit the Volvo service every month. 3x for gas cap. 2x driver side window getting stuck on a cold rainy day. Grage door opener stoped working. Seet gets stock. head lights whiper brok off. Other then that i guess its ok. I just cant belive it is built so poorly. And they charge $500.00 just for a tunup. Verry hard to find parts.

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  Worst car Ive ever owned - 2002 Volvo S60
  By Janie Doe - September 22 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car about a year and a half ago. Since that time, it has been in the shop on no less than 5 occasions for major electrical/computer malfunctions: total shutdown of all electronic read-out; power window,locks and sunroof not working; and brake lights that stay on despite the fact that the car is turned off. I thought I was upgrading from my Honda Civic when I purchased this car, however, the Civic was not in the shop once in the six years I owned it. I would NEVER buy this car again.