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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  Cant Afford this Car Anymore! - 1999 Volvo V70
  By Bummed - July 11 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my Volvo XC70 new,planned to keep it for 200,000 miles. Within a month the problems started and 80,000 miles later havent stopped. The list of problems is long (bulbs, engine mount, turbo leak, door locks, power windows(4xs), etc, etc. Volvo fixed all under warranty. But unfortunately the problems continued after the first 50,000 and are now my expense. I am now replacing this car because I wont continue to pour money into this vehicle anymore. I had seriously considered the XC90 - but wont take the chance. The dealers must also know that this year was a lemon because I cant get near the Trade-in Values that are listed on-line!

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  Do not buy this car w/ more than 100k miles - 2007 Volvo S40
  By Andrew B - July 8 - 12:24 am

  My the 2.5T back in college w/ 75k miles because we got a good deal from a friend at a dealership. Drove fine until we hit about 110k and then it was one repair after another. My wife has sentimental attachment to the car, but I would get rid of it tomorrow if I could. It is a mediocre car that calls itself luxury - decent power, decent interior, decent handling, poor brakes, outdated infotainment even for the time...nothing great about the car. Over the past year weve easily put $5000 in non-routine repairs and have experienced several breakdowns. One was a software update which the dealer never notified us of. If you want a luxury car spend a few grand extra for a beamer or audi, if you want a reliable car (which has basically everything the volvos do minus a little power) get a Honda or Toyota. Will never get another Volvo. Also get mediocre MPG for the power offered.

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  Heed this warning! ( wish I would of) - 1999 Volvo S80
  By HEBES - June 29 - 1:26 am

  Purchased car used. Expected much more from this car. I was afraid to drive it shortly after I got it fearing what would break next. I swear anything I touched in that car would break or cause something else to break. Something as simple as trying to put a cd in the stereo ended up costing me a new stereo and caused some kind of urgent airbag warning. Every time I get in its a mystery what will happen or not happen. I gave up putting money into it and will drive the car until it refuses to move. There is nothing consistent about this car except for some item or feature failing to work.

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  Not what a Volvo used to be - 2002 Volvo S60
  By Miguelito - June 18 - 10:00 am

  I have had many issues with this car. The transmission slips, hard start in the morning, and hard to keep it running when cold, stalls out repeatedly . Ignition Cylinder just had to be replaced. Electrical system also. Cannot understand what happened to Volvo quality. I have 3 Volvos. All 2002 model years, S40, S60,and a S80. No problems except with the S60. I am planning to get rid of this one very, very soon.

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  Sunroof & Brakes - 1997 Volvo 960
  By Larry - May 27 - 6:26 pm

  This is my third Volvo. I have been VERY disappointed with the poor quality sun roof. After having it repaired five times (three under warranty) I finally gave up. In addition, this car eats brake pads and ended up needing new pads every 9-12 months. Cup holders in interior are a joke.

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  Dont wasteyou $$ - 2000 Volvo V70
  By rottn1escaped - May 24 - 10:00 am

  Bought CPO at 23K. 2 months later, the front axle and transmission needed to be replaced. Ive also needed to replace the Turbo & Catalytic converter. Carfax clean, volvo certified. From reading Msg boards, I have one of the better dealers who replaces everything as warranty work - not always the case. Car now has 43K and its decision time as New car warranty is expiring. I bought this to be a long term tank, but not the case. Stick with the pre-1998 for quality (pre-ford years). My first Volvo was amazing, not this one. Also, check message boards, Im not the only one with this opinion. JD Powers and associates is downgrading Volvo quality.

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  volvo - 1996 Volvo 850
  By robarakira - May 4 - 10:00 am

  way better quality than american equivalents - also for resale

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  Review - 1999 Volvo S70
  By RF - April 30 - 2:16 am

  Bought the car in 01 mostly due to the safety factor especially after 3 totals in 18 months. At first loved the car and still kind of do. Rides hard and it is expensive to keep up. As well to change the oil you have to go to the dealership since no one can reset the computer. Otherwise the oil light will come on and glare at you...oil change is nearly $70 and nothing special about it. Repairs at the dealership are expensive...go to an independent for most things, better pricing. Like it, wont buy another one however. No compelling reason to with the others ranking there in safety and other reasons that I bought a Volvo for.

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  not sure - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By jo-lin - April 11 - 10:00 am

  Had the vehicle a month and a few things puzzle me. With three rows of seating, my family is cramped. Also, the automatic transmission fells sloppy. Aside from these, has a nice car-like feel.

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  Most disappointing car ever - 2003 Volvo S40
  By Marco - April 9 - 4:03 am

  When I was shopping for a car back in 02, I chose the Volvo S40 after looking at the Acura RSX, Saab 93, and Audi A4. Ultimately, I picked the Volvo because it seemed luxurious, the dealer promised that this was a performance car, and I had the Ford Aplan discount, which made it the cheapest of the bunch. Oops. What a disaster of a car. To be fair, I think that Volvo just has no idea how to make a small car. The performance is a joke. The handling is ponderous and, at highway speeds, can be a little scary. When passing at high speeds, the car wobbles -- literally. The braking is AWFUL. The nose dips and the car takes too long to stop. Would not recommend this car.