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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  My First Wagon and Loving It!!!! - 2002 Volvo V70
  By SavannahRunner - August 23 - 10:00 am

  Get the Turbo Get the Turbo Get the Turbo!!!!! I am 33 and was not ready for a "family car", but my younger brother just bought his second Volvo and convinced me to check them out. I drove the non turbo and the turbo model - did I mention Get The Turbo? I would suggest driving both models to see for yourself. I also got the upgraded 17" wheels. They look great, handle awesome, and give it the sport wagon look (But on rough roads can be a little harsh). So far I have had it for a month and still have a smile everytime I drive it. I am hoping for a long and supportive relationship with Volvo.

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  Best Car In Its Class - 2000 Volvo S80
  By mel - August 23 - 10:00 am

  Best car Ive ever owned. Performance, safety, security, ergonomics, comfort are tops. Outstanding follow up support from Bob Penkhus service department. If theres a problem, they will fix it. No problems here.

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  Best Car In Its Class - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Mel - August 23 - 10:00 am

  Best car Ive ever owned. Performance, safety, security, ergonomics, comfort are tops. Outstanding follow up support from Bob Penkhus service department. If theres a problem, they will fix it. No problems here.

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  Reliable for us - but not for many - 2002 Volvo S40
  By Matt - August 21 - 4:00 pm

  We bought a used 02 in early 06 with about 50k miles. It is now approaching 85k and we have had few problems. We had an oil leak for 1.5 years that the dealers could not fix, thought it was RMS but started cheap (RMS is $2k) fixed the Camshaft Seal ($300). That didnt fix it Finally an independent shop found it was the turbo return line, not uncommon and a $100 fix. Otherwise, we have had no real problems. The A/C occasionally blows hot air, something also not uncommon. In general, reliable for us, comfortable and fun to drive. However, shop just told us it was very rare to see this car with 7 years and 80k plus miles without a roulette of engine lights. So maybe we got a good one...

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  Buy this car if you like throwing money in the trash - 2001 Volvo V70
  By heather50 - August 21 - 3:35 am

  Everything has systematically broken down, cracked, snapped off or ripped on this car. My mechanic even shakes his head at the ridiculously poor quality of this vehicle. I spent well over 10,000 on mechanical repairs in the last 6 years, always thinking that each trip to the mechanic would be the last.....Ha! In addition to that expense- the following have happened: glove compartment hinge broken, electrical door locks and windows dont always work, panel by drive shaft cracked, side view mirror adjuster broken off, most speakers are not working, locking system on back hatch doesnt always close, vent panel for defrost fell off, and more burnt out head and tail lights than imaginable.

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  XC90 T6 AWD vs. XC90 V8 AWD - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By DENNIS - August 20 - 3:10 pm

  Purchased a 2003 XC90 T6 new. Traded it in for a XC90 V8 in 2006. Totally different vehicle. Engine powerful and quiet. No comparison with the T6. T6 noisy, rough running and a gas hog. V8 smooth as silk and much better MPG. Also, the T6 was a five passenger, the V8 a 7. The V8 rides much smoother because of the self leveling rear. All in all a world class vehicle with a top IIHS safety rating. You can spend a lot more money on an SUV and I dont think you can buy a much better vehicle. Dollar for dollar an excellent investment.

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  My next car will be another XC70! - 2001 Volvo V70
  By GMLovesVolvo - August 20 - 1:46 pm

  I had heard about other bad experiences with Volvo but really wanted this wagon instead of an SUV. I have had no problems in over a year (except for headlights which every time my dealership has replaced within 5 minutes and given me for free). This car drives like a dream in the city and is awesome on long car trips. I do not get the kind of mileage the reviews say (18 city, 25 hwy) I average 21.7 in the city and over 26 on the highway! Way to go Volvo!

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  Just right SUV for family - 2011 Volvo XC90
  By philo4 - August 19 - 1:58 pm

  We had a minivan for a decade, so its time to change to something different. Looked for a 7 seats SUV and XC90 was our choice. I write this review after 6 months of driving. Its designe is old but still looks good. The engine is just adequate for 4700lbs vehicle, but not refined. The gas mileage is bad and its idling is rough. Volvo needs to improve its engine badly. The ride is ok for SUV but the seats are very comfy. I feel very secure with the XC90. Its not a fancy nor fast SUV but more like driving solid built vehicle.

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  Another Great Buy... - 2002 Volvo S60
  By an9reaw - August 19 - 10:13 am

  I was kind of sorry to see that so many people had S60 troubles. I bought my pre-owned 2002 S60 in 2007 @ 90,000K knowing very well that Id own it for years to come. Its nearly 2011 now and I still havent had anything unexpected. This is my second Volvo (first being a 1996 850) and its true they are extremely expensive to maintain, but I havent had unexpected issues, as Ive always gone to the Volvo deal for every single last part on the car/service. Things that needed replacement for were: + Fuel Filter + Muffler (I live in New England, they go quickly with rust) Other than that, the car is now at 170,000K and seems to be going well.

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  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.