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 reliable at all! - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Lorraine - December 3 - 11:13 pm

  I love the ride but it has died in the middle of a busy intersection twice. It had to be towed back to the dealership and they replaced the fuel pump and we are waiting to see what they think it is this time. The drivers side beam has had to be replaced twice. The DVD system works intermittently. I thought Volvos were supposed to be dependable and safe. I have a 3 year old and I am going to have to get something else unfortunately.

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  GREAT CAR - 2007 Volvo S80
  By beach4 - December 3 - 12:06 am

  This was our first Volvo and we planned on keeping it for years but due to a relocation we will be trading it in for a XC 90 AWD. I hope I love that car as much as I love this one. We have taken the S80 across the country with two adults and two teenagers and everyone was comfortable. Well, as comfortable as anyone can be going across the country with two teenagers!!

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  Not so Reliable after all - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Ian - December 2 - 6:13 pm

  I had always heard Volvos were reliable Safe cars and I came across one and decided to buy it because it was a good value for that price. Its really the most luxurious vehicle you can get for the price. There were many issues from the start for me. First the interior started to fall apart and that wasnt any fun because the prices for parts are ridiculous. Eventually my entire motor blew because Volvo decided that A plastic radiator hose was appropriate for a $55,000 vehicle and it broke off and blew the entire engine. Basically It is a very nice, fun, comfortable car to drive, but it is not worth it for the horrible reliability and price of parts that comes with the ownership of this car.

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  Lovin it - 2007 Volvo S40
  By Rick - December 2 - 4:33 pm

  I am blown away with the comfort of my car. It has virtually no road noise and the sound system rocks. I love my Volvo.

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  Battery died because of software glitch - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By kawvt - December 2 - 1:36 am

  I bought this car 9 months ago and have had it die 3 times on me. The battery had died because of a software glitch (they think) as described in a technical bulletin Volvo Int. put out. Each time the vehicle has been in my garage and when I went to start it, nothing. I love this car but am so disappointed in the reliability. I also think for a beautiful SUV such as this is, and not a big mammoth SUV, it should get much better gas mileage. Our local dealership has been great but it has been extremely inconvenient to have our brand new Volvo die. I love the way it drives, handles, its comfort, but if I have another problem, Im inclined to ask Volvo Int. to take the car back.

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  [Review by Jim] - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Jm - November 30 - 6:16 am

  I have a roof vibration that seems to have been resolved for the time being. I love the tight handling performance and accesibility into the back. There is an uncomfortable edge on the steering wheel in the design that I dont care for. The seats are VERY comfortable and I have a bad back, so I know! I wish the back seats were heated also. The GPS could be easier to use without all of the current steps necessary now. I wish the rear, side windows could vent open for the pets as they do in the Lexus. I wish also that the side mirrors would dim with the rearview interior mirror. There is a bad blind spot in the design that could be improved. I love this car even though I would change a bit.

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  Love This Car - 1999 Volvo V70
  By Speed Mom - November 30 - 2:00 am

  Great car! Almost no mechanical problems. Handles beautifully. Comfy for long road trips. Hauls dogs, kids, canoes, stuff. Goes like stink!

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  My best Volvo yet (out of 8!) - 1999 Volvo V70
  By Dr Rick - November 29 - 3:10 pm

  This black rocket is nearing the 200,000 mile mark, and I cant wait to get her 200K merit badge. Like any Volvo, I can ride for 12 hours and feel like its just been 2. Ive done every service recommended and find the car a tremendously economical vehicle. In fact, I went beyond that and replaced everything at 150,000, with the intention of keeping it for a long, long time. I am now doing routine services myself, which I am finding incredibly easy with the help of friendly folks on the Internet. A new heater blower cost me $100 (eBay) for a new one and 15 minutes -- seriously! -- of my time. Who needs a Volvo dealership?! I should have been doing this several Volvos ago!!!

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  Best car in my 30 years of driving! - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By greatjohndini - November 28 - 1:39 pm

  I created an account just to review this car for anyone on the fence or evaluating cars in this class. I traded in my Infiniti EX35 for this car and I will never look back. Audi Q5 looked boring and audi/vw has a lot of issues. BMW X3 too small-image of driving a beemer:( And weird styling. Lexus.-comfortable but boring. Infinti.Was good but WAY too small and was not aging well after less than a year. And it felt -light?- VOLVO XC60. Totally solid car. I held back on it before because the audio/nav in the 09-10 was an absolute JOKE..but the 2011 version is great! Perfect! European. Safe. Best looking of the bunch. And 5/60 maintenance on everything but the tires! In love w/ driving again!

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  electrical problems/brake pad surprise - 2000 Volvo V40
  By alicemary - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Three months after purchase, went to use car and found it had no power. Had Volvo Roadside tow it to dealer. Battery recharged. Now after 14 additional months, same problem. Dealer service replaced battery; found a bad cell. Also, told me brake pads soon need replacing, mileage now at 11,500 miles, $135;is typical to replace at 15,000! Called Volvo Consumer hotline. Indeed, the materials used in the brake pads wear quickly. No warranty coverage. I rate this most poorly with regard for the reputation the Volvo name seems to promote.