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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  Dont Buy Volvo S60 - 2003 Volvo S60
  By cward13 - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I have made several trips to the Service Department to repair the STC system. Overall the quality of the car is extremely poor, performance is very average. The only attribute this car has is comfortable front seats. Interior engine sound is very noisy. Nothing quite like a car that audibly lets you know that it hates bumps in the road. Transmission doesnt shift right. Any favorable rating on this site must of come from the dealerships.

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  Disappointed - 2000 Volvo V70
  By Louise - February 27 - 2:53 pm

  Very disappointed with the reliability of this car. Have owned 4 Hondas - never a problem. Splurged on this used Volvo (same price as a new Accrord). I have had numerous bulbs go out, lic plate still out - too expensive to fix. Throttle body, sensor, trip computer switch, electric window and remote for key. THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS on repairs in one year. Brakes pulsate sometimes when braking and I have had to stand on them twice to stop. SCARY. My next trip to service to deal with. But...I feel safe and that is why I put up with this expense. I commute 60 miles a day down "Blood Alley." It has not left me stranded, Ive been able to limp to the shop.

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  Class Action Lawsuit on ETM problems - 2001 Volvo V70
  By dont_buy_Volvo - February 10 - 3:56 am

  Volvo has a class action lawsuit on models with Electronic Thottle Module (ETM) (V70, S80, S40, late model cars). This was filed in 2002 and is pending. The engine shuts down with no gas pedal response. This is very dangerous. ETM gets carbon deposit buildup. I tried to get Volvo North America customer care to replace this unit because it is a MAJOR design flaw, but they would not. Im waiting on a decision. It would cost me over $1100 because it is out of warranty. Yet they never sent me any communication while I was under warranty and they knew about this problem. I would never buy Volvo again because their slogan, "Volvo for Life" is far from the truth.

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  S60 AWD - Slightly Sopoforic - 2003 Volvo S60
  By beau - February 9 - 11:33 am

  A sturdy car without a whole lot in the character department. I always felt safe. However, there wasnt much soul to the ride. AWD worked great in snow/ice. However, be warned that if you get a flat tire and there is slight wear on the tires, you must purchase 4 new tires. This increases the cost of ownership in my opinion.

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  Weird Sounds, Other Troubles-a Mistake! - 2006 Volvo S40
  By Paul Margolis - February 2 - 4:53 pm

  This is my third Volvo (740 960 and now S40) I am very disappointed with the quality and support from volvo. Pressure sensor was bad inside gas tank and fixed by dealer. The car makes very annoying Owl-like sounds, which the dealer has not fixed. Supposedly volvo is working on a computer software fix. The clock occasionally resets itself--another annoying feature. Save your money for a higher quality car. Do not expect any help from Volvo when you complain....apparantly Volvo has lost all class after having been bought by Ford.

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  Too many problems. - 2005 Volvo V50
  By Sally - January 26 - 11:23 pm

  Our V50 has been in the shop a lot. Problems with the radio, the auto rear view mirror, the alignment, the radio, the outside temp indicator, engine cutting out. Cant remember how many computer upgrades have been done. The electronics on this car are terrible. Just got it out of the shop again--engine light on and the engine would cut out. Cost me over $500 to repair--this time it was the fuel pressure sensor which surprise needed to have another computer upgrade. Expensive to repair.

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  HORRIBLE CAR - 2006 Volvo V50
  By chrishel - January 25 - 2:38 pm

  bought in 2006 for its safety and reliability. beautiful interior but looks can be deceiving. has just over 100k miles. always regularly maintained. Anything and everything has gone wrong.. A/c doesnt work. CD player broke 3 years ago. oxygen censors broke. transmission needed to be replaced($5000 cause volvo doesnt sell parts for transmission) now its the alternator. of course this all happens after warrenty has expired. its been a total nightmare and I will never purchase another volvo

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  My Last Volvo! - 1999 Volvo V70
  By fsails - January 21 - 10:00 am

  Bought car at dealer with 23K miles. Started having electrical problems right away.(wipers,turn signals,headlight switch,signals,power windows,etc.)Most of these failures occured after warranty expired. Last friday the ETS light came on. (electronic throttle system)Dealer charged me $120 just to download the codes.They ended up replacing the throttle body.($1144) This type of failure is not acceptable with a car as expensive a Volvo. Failure occured at 71K miles. Volvo should be embarrased! Car is now for sale and we are for a new Subaru Forester XS.

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  Loved it the FIRST year - 2001 Volvo S40
  By Jen G. - January 4 - 2:00 am

  This car was great until I hit 23,000 miles with it. That is when the back brakes needed to be replaced and also the tires. Of course none of this stuff is handled under warranty. I leased the vehicle specifically so I wouldnt have to deal with these types of repairs but no such luck. I also think this car is a little sensitive to normal bumps in the road.

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  Less Than Expected - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By volvosucker - January 4 - 2:00 am

  My Volvo has been in the shop 3 times since purchase. Vibrates when decelerating from high speed, engine whines, had electrical problems, loose wiring connections causing navigation and radio to cut in and out. Interior is much louder than expected. Gets very poor gas mileage. Very cramped in rear seats, not worth the money, wouldnt buy another or suggest one for a friend.