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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  Im happy, its not that bad! - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Happy - April 28 - 10:40 am

  Wow! After reading the poor reviews of the 2001 XC 70, I had to let everyone know about my good experience. Ive owned Volvos and my parents have owned Volvos for many decades. I purchased this car for the turbo and carrying capacity. Ive been pleased. I bought it at 75,000 mi and now its at 100K. Ive kept up with the maintenance, which has been a bit more expensive than my sedans, but I have not experienced the transmission issues nor electronic issues that are posted on this site. Issues have been: alternator, 1 software update, transmission flush, cam seal leak, and common maintenance. There will always be the bad stories that are reported first. Im happy with my car.

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  Volvo = Tank - 1999 Volvo S70
  By ed - April 25 - 10:40 pm

  I have owned this car for five years and have been very happy with it. The car is heavy but the handling is excellent. The torque is somewhat under powered without the turbo. Super car built like a tank.

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  intro. to sport sedan - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Daniel Dingo - April 22 - 9:36 pm

  The 2005 volvo s40 is a great intro. level sports sedan. For under $25,000 the s40 gives you a great unique design and comfort. The 2.5L engine is under powered for this car, and the lack of power doesnt give you a good fuel economy in this case. I am getting about 18-20 mpg for city and highway. The s40 have one of the best features for safety, it drives like a Toyota camry but it have to look of a great sport coupe.

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  expensive but nice - 1996 Volvo 850
  By sarahbaker - April 16 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this car for a little over 8 years now. It is an awesome car - great interior, solid exterior, fun to drive. My biggest complain has simply been with the cost of repairs. In the past year and a half I have put well over $2000 into the car. With the car not even being worth much more than that, it is time to say goodbye. I would recommend this car highly, but only if you have the funds to maintain it. It requires more money than I can put into it, but I truly do hate to see it go.

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  Wish wed read the reviews first - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Mrs. D - April 14 - 10:50 am

  Loved the car overall but our 94 Jeep Cherokee with 230k miles is more dependable. After several repairs of one kind or another, she started hesitating. Trusted mechanic said it was throttle body covered by extended warranty so take it to them for free replacement. Local dealer charged $100 for diagnostic and said it needed $3000 head gasket. Not so local dealer charged $100 for diagnostic and said it needed a $2300 head gasket. Car currently sitting at trusted mechanics lot waiting for retired Volvo mechanic who agrees its the throttle body to come fix it. Its been 5 months. Tomorrow were buying a Lexus.

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  transmission klunks - 2000 Volvo V70
  By volvodriver - April 14 - 10:00 am

  the automatic shift in my car performs poorly. shifting between 2 and 3 cause a klunking sound and creates a kick as the transmission engages into next gear. Volvo has said they dont see any problem, and are unable to re-create it.

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  lMy first volvo- - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Michele - April 8 - 7:00 am

  I waited 2 yrs for this car! Needed the suv body style, very happy with this! A few minor problems (computer errors). At 25,000 miles, had to replace tires. Not happy about that. Was told its common on Awd suvs?! Would like to know what other owners think about this.

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  Money Pit - 1996 Volvo 850
  By KBarry - April 7 - 2:00 am

  This car is an utter joy to drive and one of the most comfortable cars when it is not in the repair shop. This year alone Ive had the rear main seal, ABS controle module and radiator fan go. Very common problems on these cars and Volvo does not stand behind them, especially the brake problems. They claim they have no knowledge of these problems. I have filed a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Association for the brake problems. Repairs are astronomical and relaibility is subpar for a luxury vehicle.

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  Happy with my S40 - 2001 Volvo S40
  By gurgstar - April 1 - 7:13 pm

  I have owned the 2001 S40 for about a year and a half. Contrary to many of the other reviews (many of which pertain to the 2000 model anyway, which I know had more issues), I havent had any service problems with mine, aside from the "Check Engine" light coming on once. The car handles well, and the engine is powerful (though my previous car was a V6 and I do miss the V6 a bit). My only complaint would be the that the interior controls (climate and radio) are poorly designed.

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  2nd Volvo - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Huron92 - March 30 - 5:03 pm

  This is my second Volvo (1st was an 01 XC 70), that Ive only had for 3 weeks but so far its a great car. Turbo lag is almost non-existent. From the 1st tank of gas Ive averaged 20 MPG in the city and the engine isnt broken in yet. Homelink should be standard and the turning radius needs to be better. I did get the sport package which translates to a very firm ride.