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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  Expensive All-Weather Hauler - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By scottque - December 4 - 6:58 pm

  Have had this thing now for 10+ years and 90,000 miles. Went from primary car for hauling two kids to a third car that sits outside and is reserved for "dirty work". Have been lucky enough to avoid any engine and transmission problems but the cost of multiple failed wheel bearings, sway bars, and ignition coils have really mounted - especially for a relatively low-mileage vehicle. Still, the fact that we still have this car says a lot about it. It is extremely versatile, in terms of hauling people and stuff. It has always started and never broken down. And one thing about the Swedes - they know how to make safe cars that can drive through snow! Ten years old and does not look dated.

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  Follow up - 2007 Volvo V50
  By ChrisM - December 1 - 2:16 pm

  Had the car for just under a year and 16000 kms (10,000 miles). No mechanical problems at all, I have only done two scheduled maintenances on the car. My longest trip has been about 500 kms (300 mi) and the car performed very well. In town mileage has been around 24 mpg (US) and highway mileage in the mid 30s. Service at the dealership has been very good. The factory Continental tires were replaced at 36000 kms and replaced with Nokians. The factory tires never seem to last too long. Still very much enjoying my first Volvo.

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  Dont buy unless you are very wealthy - 2000 Volvo V70
  By Karen Ball - November 29 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car after totaling my 99 Subaru Forester. Huge mistake. Impulsive buy because I had no car for 2 months trying to find a subaru. Finally bought this piece of garbage. It is in the shop every month for something. Check engine lite is permanently on because there is always something about to die and they do like to give you fair warning. I am so disappointed in the price and frequency of repairs for this car. I dont trust it to start or keep going once it has. O2 sensor, catalytic converter, all belts, oil shield, tires, battery, you name it and I have replaced it.

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  Love Hate Tolerate - 2001 Volvo V70
  By MishNY - November 28 - 9:13 pm

  Beautiful car, quality interior materials and exterior fit and finish. Outstanding fuel economy and extended range comfort and utility. Difficult radio set up, bulky A- pillars and out of place cheap plastic touches. The ride is detached for cars in this price range, light bulbs blow more often than you need fuel. The tranny went at 30K forcing an extended warranty purchase. Local Volvo dealer provides exceptional service at a price you would expect with this class of car. The car is far too noisey for this class. With 100k just around the corner a new Volvo is not out of the question although better cars in this price range exist.

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  Best Car Ill ever own - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Bruce McNally - November 27 - 4:09 pm

  I paid more for my 2001 V70 2.3 (manual trannie(but with just about every extra available) than I ever had for anything - 20K with 37K miles. It just turned 240,000 and has gotten me from NYC to Merida, L.A., Portland, New Orleans (yearly), Florida you name it - snow, ice, rain & wind, in great comfort, style and if I could figure out how to keep this car for the rest of my life Id do it. It aint cheap but youve gotta find great (not dealer) mechanics and sometimes buy your own parts online. I do understand the auto trannie in these first years sucked and have friends with those problems, but otherwise *****

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  lemon, literally - 2006 Volvo S40
  By monicald - November 27 - 4:47 am

  After 1 year I had taken my car in to repair the electrical 5 times, they couldnt do it. At one point the driver door wouldnt open and I had to enter my car through the passenger side. Volvo ended up settling for a good sized pay out. Here is a list of other problems I had with car, none of which were covered by warranty as they occurred just after the 50k warranty was up: 1) engine thermostat never worked 2) due to above, car overheated, replaced radiator reservoir & new thermostat 3) spark plugs replaced 4) door lock covers popped off 5) plastic peeling off control buttons 6) major water leak when rains, floor thoroughly soaked 7) radio shorted out 8) Trunk stuck in closed position

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  AS EXPECTED AND BETTER! - 2001 Volvo V70
  By mrsimpson - November 26 - 3:42 am

  First, after much review perhaps the XC models have far more problems than the 2.4T V70. I am at 124,000 and this car is the most comfortable, reliable and all around best car to drive. I also own a 2008 Audi A4, and although the Audi is the prize, I lean more toward driving the Volvo ALL THE TIME! The only issue I had was the radiator modulator going bad, which ran me about 575 dollars and only because my friend is a mechanic! Volvo would have easily been a 1000 plus job! But you know the parts are pricey, find a trusting local guy or do the regular maintenence yourself, it pays! That said I commute just shy of 90 miles a day and this car runs so smooth it is a pure joy. Also good on gas!

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  A classic wagon (with great seats) - 2008 Volvo V70
  By Peter - November 21 - 8:56 pm

  This isnt necessarily a "fun" car, but it is comfortable, quiet and practical. I think it makes a lot of sense for a family that needs something big enough for kids and gear, but isnt interested in a minivan or SUV. The interior is beautifully designed and assembled. It is one of those cars where almost every design decision appears to have been driven by a lot of thought about ergonomics. Materials are generally high quality. While the base price might be 32K, it is difficult to find one without a lot of options (and a much higher MSRP). However, I was able to get a "left- over" 2008 at a bit over 25 percent off. I have had this car for only two weeks, so ignore my reliability score.

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  A great car if you treat it right. - 2001 Volvo S40
  By Jesse Coley - November 20 - 3:30 am

  I bought this car used with 80,000 miles on it. Its currently pushing 100,000 miles and I have had none of these problems other reviewers keep talking about. My brakes are FINE. The Check Engine light only comes on if I gun the engine while it is still cold, but then the light usually goes back off before the day is over. I had to replace the turbo when I first purchased the car, but Im sure thats why it was for sale in the first place. Turbo cars have special needs. Synthetic oil and letting the engine idle a bit before shutting off the car is a MUST. Im sure the previous owner didnt. Some people complain about bulbs burning out. The solution is to turn off the day-time running lamps.

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  Reasonably satisfied - 1997 Volvo 960
  By Richard N. - November 19 - 10:00 am

  Original owner. This is my third Volvo (previous 2 740s). Nagging problems during first few years of ownership - nothing serious, just irritating. I had less problems with the 740s. Mechanical repairs limited to a faulty O2 sensor and a fan installed to prevent a malodorous aroma from airco (high humidity climate). Sun roof repaired twice. The service problems seem to have abated in the last couple of years. Bought extended warranty - so far they are ahead with one year to go.