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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  The S40, a poor mans BMW 3 series - 2000 Volvo S40
  By graphics_diva - November 1 - 10:00 am

  Overall, this is a great car. Some of the interior items (knobs, handles) scratch and wear poorly. Cup holder and automatic window controls are poorly located. This car goes thru break shoes extremely fast, like every 15K, but to be fair, it stops on a dime. Volvo dealerships treat all car owners like gold, even if you have their lowest priced model as I do. They fix head and tail lights for free and with no argument and will provide a loaner car if only you ask for one. Customer service is a number one priority and they are THE BEST. It is mostly the service that convince me that my next car should also be a Volvo.

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  Review - 2002 Volvo S80
  By Mo - November 1 - 10:00 am

  I love my car! The only drawback is that, being a "petite" (short 53") woman, the ergonomically designed seats dont really work for me. I have 2 kids and feel really safe in this car while fully enjoying its creature comforts.

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  My lonesome 2000 Volvo S40 - 2000 Volvo S40
  By avonbyval - October 18 - 6:22 am

  Once again, my poor Volvo sits and waits for my attention. Bought it 3 years ago with new engine. Absolutely love the way it drives and still do (but not at the moment). Replaced radiator last year. Have blinker problems sometimes. Last problem was weird; the car started to accelerate while we were driving in town, and when I went put it in park the rpms revved up, then turned off the engine. Later that evening we went out to eat and when we first parked, the car revved up again, then I turned the car off. When we came back out the car wouldnt start at all. Didnt sound like a typical timing belt issue, sounded more like it was out of gas. Towed car home. Car sits waiting for me:(

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  Volvo wins me over - 2007 Volvo S40
  By PianoMan - October 14 - 5:40 am

  I love this car! I picked it up at the factory in Sweden (a fantastic deal that I would recommend to all), and drove it through Denmark, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Austria. It is stable as a rock at any speed (my son pushed it up to 110 on the autobahn), handles responsively, accelerates acceptably, and has good fuel economy. My onboard computer says I am getting 28.2 mpg overall, which I think is quite good. I consider it to be a BMW 328 for 10K less. (Yes, the BMW is superior in handling and acceleration.) The factory pickup experience was so fun that I may never buy a car any other way.

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  A Well Maintained Vehicle - 1998 Volvo V70
  By longislanddriver - October 14 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd Volvo. My experience is that the V70 is more reliable that my 1989 245. I always buy a base model for price and more importantly to eliminate problems. The AC compressor and condensor was replaced the first week. I guessed Volvo probably put the wrong refrigerant in it. I used to replace the headlight bulbs but after recall never replace a build yet. Replaced air pump and recently blower fan. A good dealer is the key. I had serveral brake and noise problems but convinced dealer to kept car for a week. They replace rotors, oil pump and pan.

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  Acceleration Hesitation - 2003 Volvo S80
  By Harder99 - October 14 - 2:00 am

  We purchased the car for its safety performance and chose the T6 model for the performance and added features. The car is fantastic except for one problem: hesitation during acceleration. The car hesitiates between 1st and 2nd gear under moderate to heavy acceleration. After four trips to the dealer I discovered the hesitation problem is designed into the car to save the tranmission. Volvo is working on a software patch, however, I was told the acceleration hesitation will always be noticed. Why make twin turbo model if the throttle is cut during acceleration?

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  Content Owner - 2000 Volvo S40
  By Sarah - October 13 - 11:53 pm

  I bought mine as a certified car in 2002 with only 18,000 miles on it for $14,000. Id always wanted a Volvo, and for being a junior in college, I was lucky to purchase one at a young age. It now has 60,000 miles. The cup holder above the cd player was an annoyance. I had to remove my drink to put in a cd and couldnt really see any buttons when the cup was there. But now I dont have to worry about it because I pushed in in one time and its completely stuck. Completely stuck as in, Im not paying $80 for them to unstick it. You all know of the headlight situation. Luckily if the dealership replaces the bulb, there is a one year warranty on it. Makes the $15 labor charge worth it apparently

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  Great Car - Until 170,000 miles - 1999 Volvo S70
  By Bill - October 13 - 11:20 pm

  I purchased this car used in 2000 with about 11,000 miles. It was absolutely perfect until about 170,000 when the Electronic Throttle Module failed. Before buying any used Volvo from this time period I would thoroughly research the ETM and the problems its caused. Its a very expensive part, and the replacement is just as likely to fail as the original. And since replacing mine, Ive had several other problems with it and related parts. Ive completely lost confidence in the car. Having said that, it was a great car for 10 years.

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  Mechanical Problems - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Steve - October 9 - 3:50 am

  I purchased the Volvo for its safety and value. During the 27 months I have owned it, there have been at least 10 recalls, the brake pads had to be replaced at 20,000 miles (and I had to pay for them even though I leased it with all maintenance included) AND the transmission was replaced at 37,000 miles. I cant wait until my lease is up!

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  Volvo? - 2001 Volvo S40
  By Volvo? - September 30 - 2:00 am

  I am both alarmed and glad to read the other reviews and see other similiar problems, I am not alone. Our breaks are beginning to squeak at 13,000 miles, the driver side door wind noise has always been abnormaly loud, there are a few areas on the car that the clear coat appears to be coming off, and last but not least the cruise is failing periodically.