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:

• 

  Electrical System not Reliable - 2006 Volvo V50
  By CEB - September 13 - 5:16 pm

  Imagine driving the highway at speed and experiencing a complete electrical system failure. After two years and multiple dealer "remedies" including replacement of major electrical components, these problems continue and overshadow an otherwise decent vehicle. Often the car simply will not start, but when you get it to the dealer they cannot duplicate your issue and appear to be unable to troubleshoot. For the money, the Audi A4, Volkswagen Passat or the C-class MB wagon (no longer sold) are better options.

• 

  60K for a 4 cylinder underpowered engine - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Stay08 - September 13 - 12:03 am

  I test drove the X90. I own a 2008 XC90 v8. The v8 Yamaha engine in the 2008 Volvo XC90 is a GREAT engine. Smooth, quiet and quick. This was the PERFECT engine for the heavy XC90. Volvo decided to make a one size fits all 4 CYL engine and its really a poor choice for the XC90. Its overworked and underpowered. Its a cheap work around. Take a look under the large plastic cover hiding the little engine that couldnt...How can I pay a 60K price tag for this SUV? Volvo was once upon a time a car company that had a quality car from the inside out and today they make a car that has a sharp stylish look but cheaply built compared to the older models....Other options in same price range. the BMW X5,,,,,,Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne, and VW Toureg. These SUVs have decent performance...Think about test driving a one year old BMW X5 v8 with low miles....

• 

  This car is a lemon! - 2006 Volvo S40
  By deuce316 - September 12 - 8:50 pm

  Within the first year of owning this car it had to be flatbed towed due to a faulty steering column. The doors and locks would not respond to either the key or the controls inside the car. Volvo looked at it 3 times before they could determine the problem.I had to drive there while the problem was happening to prove I wasnt crazy. I have 60k miles and I have to spend $1600 on a new clutch and clutch slave cylindar. the car is 4 yrs old and just over the warranty. Volvo will not take any ownership of the costs. A clutch should not break in 4 years. I am a very experienced standard transmission driver and it was not due to my handling. This car is a money pit! stay away at all costs.

• 

  low miles tons of repairs - 2001 Volvo S60
  By dondeb1028 - September 5 - 2:00 am

  I own a 2001 Volvo s60, with only 35K, we have replaced 5 headlights, Brakes, rotors, tires, and just had the transmission replaced, key will not come out of the ignition. What a wonderful car. Also paid 30+ for it can only get 15K. got to love it.

• 

  An unreliable tank - 1997 Volvo 960
  By mb - September 3 - 10:00 am

  Unreliable in its first few years, seems to be settling down in middle age. Many similarities to a tank - limited front visibility, rough ride, tight headroom & legroom. An old style Volvo that only a true Volvo lover (which I am not)will like. On the upside, with regular visits to the shop, it will probably be around for another 20 yrs.

• 

  XC 90 Big disapointment - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By m navarro - August 30 - 2:00 am

  car is fun to drive but not built very well. Have had 3 interior trim pieces fall off, Rear seat leather came apart (had it fixed 3 times) Car hesitates at shift points (feels like you took you foot off the gas) Surgers under hard acceleration, 3rd row seat hardware broke, rear stereo control broke, CD changer had to be replaced, Key unit had to be replaced, engine has a rattle, turdo whines under deceleration, lights on switches too dim, can not see in sunlight. One of the worst cars I have owned. Have bought BMWs for last 20 yrs. I wish I had not changed. Volvo has been no help

• 

  The Lupus Car - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Sara - August 27 - 11:43 pm

  This is the most unreliable car I have ever owned, in the few months of ownership the car has been towed 3 times. I fact it reminds me of the ford "exploder" I once owned. Where should I begin? at approx. 70,000 the rotors had to be replaced, the sunroof broke, both headlights and license plate lights burned out with the plastic casings needing to be replaced, the fuel injection caused the car to stall into limp mode (the first tow), the battery cables were loose causing (the second tow) the transmission is slipping causing the car to lurch forward, and the third tow is do to another stall with unknown causes. I have owned this car 4.5 months. I will never recommend a Volvo.

• 

  XC 90 is not quite what I expected from Volvo - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By Jim Jackson - August 19 - 10:01 am

  Bought car with 68 k miles, and later found out the front axles needed to be replaced. I have 143 k and still havent replaced them, but I have replaced two wheel bearings this year. Park assist went out, had it repaired, and within days the alarm would come on solid when backing and nothing close by. Had serpentine belt, tensioner and idler pull go out while on interstate. Could barely steer enough to get it to dealership. Then the read assembly bearings failed about 5 months later. Both repairs over 6K. Other little nagging issues with hinge on center console breaking, etc. Maybe it is my fault for buying a car with high mileage, but expected more from Volvo.

• 

  what a decision - 2001 Volvo S40
  By mkoh55 - August 18 - 4:49 am

  So I bought this car two years ago...thought I was getting a good buy but within a month I had problems. First, the service light came on and they told me I needed an oil change. Then the check engine light came on and had to replace and o2 sensor, then the thermastat, now spark plugs and wires, replaced two complete struts, one coil spring, now I am on another o2 sensor and ECT sensor. The check engine light seems to always be on and something seems to always be breaking. Horrible decision, intending on getting rid of it.

• 

  OK car - 1999 Volvo S70
  By bw626 - August 13 - 3:20 pm

  I bought this used with 120,000 as a gas mileage car. To tell you the truth, it only gets one more MPG than my Chevy Tahoe. The interior is kind of cheap and until it died in the middle of the road, it was decent mechanically. Now, with 130,000 miles on it, it doesnt run and know one can figure out why. The engine dies when you accelerate it. Overall: This is the first import Ive owned since a 1981 BMW 8 series, and I think I will stick to American cars. My Chevys and Pontiacs have never given me problems. I dont think I will go back to Volvos, because I am very disappointed in the reliability.