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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  Sorry Volvo - 2001 Volvo V70
  By rkientz - May 20 - 12:16 pm

  Cruise control works randomly half the time. Message center randomly shows that engine needs service. Fuel door fell off the car three times. Message center has shown exterior lights out but none found. replaced the front end suspension at 55,000 miles. (wifes car). Engine roar at idle very annoying.

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  2004 s40 t5 - 2004 Volvo S40
  By laurenc8283 - May 6 - 2:53 pm

  This is my second Volvo. And Ive had so many problem with the s40, from engine problems to transmission problems... I bought the car with 75,000 miles on it and it had a bad compresser, and a blown amp.. My cd player had to be replaced... All the Major belts have had to be replaced twice.. The care also stinks on gas! I do not think this is a reliable car, and very disappointed in Volvo.. Havent had the car a year yet and im already in the process of getting a new car... Not recommended!

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  disappointing experience - 1998 Volvo V70
  By peter - April 22 - 12:16 am

  this is 3rd volvo and maybe last.first 2 gave very good service with 200k miles on each with very minor problems.current vehicle is constant maintenance problem wth endless check engine lights, early tire and brake wearouts, abs problems, emission problems. everything expensive to fix, trade in value low for price of car.getting rid of this irritant, probably wont be back.they used to be great cars and distressing to hear overall poor support from volvo

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  A mistake - 2007 Volvo S40
  By TallahasseeVolvo - April 18 - 7:43 am

  The problems since Ive owned the car: the light under the driver side mirror has fallen out 3 times, stereo stops working and has been replaced twice, leather seats are cracking, brakes squeal in reverse, headlights gone bad, interior rattles that cannot be found/fixed by dealer, random interior parts falling off, and I just was informed today by the dealer that my front right axle has to be replaced. This is the second S40 Ive owned, the first being a 2004. Never again will I buy a Volvo. The car has been in the shop 18 times. I strongly urge anyone considering this car to think twice. Volvos safety reputation doesnt matter these days when a Honda gets 5 stars also, buy a reliable car.

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  Expensive to Own, Expensive to Repair - 1996 Volvo 850
  By brokebyvolvo - April 17 - 10:00 am

  Has only 62000 miles, but AC cost $2200 to fix, including $1500 to replace an evaporator buried in the dashboard,& the ENTIRE dash must be removed to get to this part. Plus ABS sensor $600; new rotors, $1000; starter relay $200 motor mounts $350; rear stabilizer bar $500; power antenna $450. Add in $750 every 10,000 miles for required maintenance, & your insurance plus car payments are zilch compared to the special payments you have to make to a bank account dedicated solely to the 1996 Volvo 850 Repair Fund.

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  Reliability Nightmare - 2000 Volvo S80
  By silver02m5 - April 17 - 1:23 am

  Pretty much everything that can break on this car did break. In a single 18 month period we replaced an oxygen sensor, a mass air flow sensor, a motor mount, both lower control arms (under recall), an ignition switch, an ABS control unit, two upper strut assemblies, a piece of door trim, the computer thumb wheel stalk, the dash display, and an oil return line. The last straw was Volvos refusal to replace a turbo that was blowing oil through the engine. Also, the transmission was slipping at 50,000 miles. A terribly made car from a company that has no interest in keeping long-term customers.

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  S40 - The Brake Eater - 2000 Volvo S40
  By Brendan Kelly - April 4 - 2:00 am

  I write this on the eve of my 45,000 "tune up." Based on past experience, this is when they tell me that I need to replace all of my brakes and rotors, even though these were just replaced at 39,500. Im so fed up with this car. The brakes, which Ive replaced 3 times, cost about $500 each time. Also, a new warning light greets me about once a month. Those of you happy with your car are in for a rude awakening when you realize how much this piece of junk has depreciated in a short period of time. Check out Consumer Reports "used cars to avoid list."

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  It could have been a good experience - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Sven - March 29 - 6:56 am

  Replaced: entire rear suspension, two sets of front sway bar links, rear brakes (twice), front brakes, 02 sensor (twice), master window switch, IP lights, headlights (4!!! times), Lamda sensor...and the list goes on. Nothing ever rendered the car undriveable, and its a hoot to drive fast in the snow. Much better to drive than any SUV. Dealer is awful in every sense, and Volvo service doesnt couldnt care less. They could have had me "for life," but they blew it.

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  volvo headaches - 2000 Volvo S40
  By Klondike Kev - March 25 - 10:00 am

  Overated. Returned to dealer on 4 or 5 occasions for various moans, groans, or grunts. Replaced left side strut assembly, steering column removed for addition of some special grease, headlight bulbs all replaced(at my expense), several rear brake bulbs and taillight bulbs,broken window switch, rear brake pads. Car still grunts and groans and I am replacing bulbs at an alarming rate. Rear seat horrendous for more than ten minutes. Fuggetaboutit.!!

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  Terrible reliability - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Shelline Holmes - March 16 - 10:00 am

  I thought the Volvo was a reliable vehicle. But I should have done more research. The Volvo which I brought had 55000 miles. Today it has 69000. The transmission has to be replaced. The brakes have to be replaced again. The check engine light is on and off. The sensor system is bad. The control arms have to be replaced. The repair bill is just unbelievable!!!! I have to let the car go.