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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  Love the design hate the execution. - 2000 Volvo S70
  By MrHorrible - March 11 - 10:00 am

  Love the design and ergonomics of this car. Its extremely comfortable and well designed both inside and out. Great sound system stellar handling and suspension feel. Its ONE HELL of a car and the sexiest car "ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD". Thats where we get to the not so nice part. This is the most unreliable car I have ever owned. Not only does it break often but the dealer is often unable to fix it and often does more damage than good in the repair process. There are a TON of recalls as well. For the record I will NEVER buy another one again.

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  headache - 2001 Volvo S40
  By sadvolvo - March 5 - 10:00 am

  i dont even know where to begin with my s40s problems. the breaks need to be replaced a second time (at 20K). srs light has been on several times and air bag has been replaced. i have had problems with the air conditioning, check engine light, trunk lock, gas door motor, heated seat light, headlight, and more in less than two years. and sometimes the car wont start. i thought i was investing in a safe and reliable vehicle. lesson learned.

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  Going back to BMW - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Back to BMW - February 27 - 9:13 pm

  Never intended to buy a Volvo but wound up buying this one. I do like the acceleration. The brakes have already been replaced due to squeaking and are doing it again! Had to replace very expensive tires at 20,000 miles! Multi CD player skips and was replaced with another one that does the same thing. Back seat doesnt have any leg room when drivers seat is set at a comfortable setting for me at 58". Could maybe fit a baby car seat behind it as there is only about 3" between front and back seat. This car is next to impossible to park with its horrible turning radius! My husbands truck turns and parks much better than this tank!

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  DO NOT Buy a used 2001 XC - 2001 Volvo V70
  By The Sluffy - February 26 - 10:30 am

  I loved the design of these Cross Country wagons, very handsome, and the interior fit and finish is really beautiful in this car, but otherwise this think is an abosule MESS. Stay away at all costs. I have owned two other Volvos in the past, but this piece of junk has really soured me on Volvo. Its too bad...but I think the 2000 and 2001/2002 are really bad reliability wise. Ive had to replace the transmission, there is always something going wrong with the car, and its so crazy expensive to get it fixed, at least $500 to $1000 each time it goes to the shop. Im dumping this piece of junk before it eats my lunch.

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  I HATE this car! - 2001 Volvo S60
  By manofsteel05 - February 15 - 8:23 am

  This car is an absolute nightmare! Ive had this car for 5 months and its spent most of the time in the shop. This car has MAJOR transmission problems. $3200 to rebuild the transmission and its still not working properly. The front suspension stinks, it has major design flaws and wears out prematurely. I just replaced the right side CV joint, control arms, sway bar links and tie rod assemblies. $1000 plus. The cooling fan went bad (previously replaced in a recall) and blew out my heater core $1200. I havent dealt with my ETM but from what I heard its only a matter of time until mine dies. $1000 Do not read any of the early posts, the most recent posts are when the problems begin.

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  Run away - 2001 Volvo S60
  By kelleyga - February 1 - 4:50 am

  Very dificult car to keep running. Averaged around $250 a mo to keep running. Kept losing its memory. Brake booster went out, suspension shot, transmission problems, turbo problems, oil leaks, multiple brake problems, wiring crumbling. And no one one knows how to work on it, they just throw parts at it. Dealer always says its mass air flow sensor, how maney in one year! Lost 15k in value in 2 yrs and still falling. Finally gave up and traded it in.

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  Tire problems - 2004 Volvo S60
  By steveng - January 22 - 2:00 am

  I have two major complaints. First of all I have had to replace two tires already. My theory is that since the tires are made to run flat in order to give the car a sleek look, this puts added pressure on the sidewall and this was where the holes were in my tires. Second, there are an excessive number of blind spots because of the stabilization bars.

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  BOUGHT A VOLVO BUT GOT A LEMON - 2001 Volvo S40
  By jaykap - January 21 - 10:00 am

  We bought this car for my wife. Thought Volvo meant reliability and safety. Headlights had to be replaced 4 times. Check engine light would never go off. Brakes wore out after 15,000 mi. Ashtray door jammed shut. Cupholders were an afterthought. Tires wore down after 20k miles and had to be replaced. This car became very high maintainance. Ive had less trouble with my Jag. Dont buy this if you need a reliable car. I never got response from Volvo North America after I wrote them 3 times about my c

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  S-80 problems - 1999 Volvo S80
  By WCG - January 19 - 6:46 am

  Lots of computer problems. Not my usual experience with a Volvo.

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  Worst Vehicle Ive EVER Owned - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Sarah - January 10 - 10:00 am

  This is BY FAR the worst vehicle Ive ever owned. The Saturn Vue I had before buying this was more reliable! Unfortunately for me, I was so dazzled by this "Luxury" SUV that I didnt do enough research. I put MORE THAN $12K worth of work in less than 6 months, the last of which was $7,000 for a new transmission that, unbeknownst to me is a HUGE issue with this year, make & model. Volvo is conveniently refusing to acknowledge any of the innumerable consumer complaints- offer any sort of resolve or recall. Trust me Ive tried- (Ive contacted the Sales Managers of every dealership in the state, and put in a complaint with Headquarters in Sweden) no one cares.