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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  Volvo is not Volvo Anymore - 2013 Volvo S60
  By nevervolvo - July 27 - 4:16 pm

  No Volvo is better than the S80 until my engine blew after 32000 miles. For one month I drove loaner S60 T5 2012. I decided to buy one even though it was not comfortable and has no style. Factory incentives made it more advantageous to buy a new 2013. After the first day, the car when given light gas as in heavy traffic or starting from stop has a rattle sound like a paint can. The car went back 10 times from the dealer. A file was opened by Volvo NA and they said they all do that because of the CVTrans. The 2012 has different drive train. This car is junk and everytime I hear that rattle which is everytime I drive it reminds me of a $40K mistake. After 5 Vs the next car is Lexus

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  Too many problems - 1998 Volvo S70
  By imfrommars - July 27 - 11:26 am

  Bought new in 1998 Maintained every 5000 miles (about 3 months) oil change at dealership. I was happy up to 60,000 miles (still brakes were a known Volvo problem with soft pads). But after went thru 3 batteries, heating problem, ABS module replaced, front end replaced, tires 15 inches going very quick, twice rotors both front and back, and never mind miriad of electrical problems (bulbs, etc). Service at dealership is extremly expensive. This is my last VOLVO. Two of my students are using it right now still the safest car around, but daddy will be paying all the future repair bills which Im not looking forward. Bought myself a 2005 Toyota Camry XLE V-6 and extended warranty just in case.

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  Lemon? - 2007 Volvo C70
  By Sharon Lewis - July 22 - 6:33 pm

  I have had nothing but trouble with this car. It began at about 3,000 miles with a new fuel injector, gas tank & line, then moved on to strange noises upon starting, broken button on seat, first the passenger window quit working, now the driver window wont stay closed. I have had it in the shop 5 times for 8 problems. I am in the process of trying to sell them back this car.

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  not up to Volvo quality standards - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By ahickman - July 10 - 10:00 am

  Our Volvo XC70 has been nothing but trouble -- nothing like the safety, reliability, quality image Volvo advertizes: - the air conditioner didnt work when it was delivered - a rock got stuck in the real wheel assembly, the rim cracked, and the tire deflated... not covered by warranty - the front brake pads wore out at 19k miles - interior parts keep falling off - the gas tank door fell off - everything electrical malfunctions

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  Volvo XC 90 DOnt buy one - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By SAB - June 21 - 5:53 pm

  First of all horrible mileage, 13.6 MPG average over 2 years. We had multiple problems with this SUV, loose front end, side frame supports needed adjustments. Needed new tires after only 20K miles ??? no warranty ?? I will say the dealer was very good about everything, even though it took them 4 tries to fix one of the main problems.

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  Stranded on I-85 when engine blew a rod! - 2007 Volvo S40
  By Roger - June 8 - 9:50 pm

  I have about 69,050 miles on a 2007 Vovlo s-40. I have changed the oil every 30000-4000 miles, and had service checkups on regular bases. I was stranded last night on I-85 when my car threW a rod, forming two holes in the engine block. The mechanic that took my car in was blown away and said he had never seen anything like this. Nice clean oil rain out of the car and the small pieces that fell out of the motor were nice and shiny because there was no "gunk" in the motor due to the good service history. Please someone tell me if this is not a sorry car. I will never own a Volvo again, and please if you are thinking about buying a Volvo-DO NOT BUY A VOLVO, YOU WILL BE SORRY. U WILL BE STRANDED

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  Buy Japanese - 1996 Volvo 850
  By mtlatham - June 8 - 6:23 am

  Air Conditioner has gone out $1500. Emissions sensor has gone out $1500. Incessant squeaks and rattles. I have basically torn out the dash trying to find one rattle - still havent found it. Dealerships suck. I owned an Acura before this - I will go back.

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  Oh my god what a POS - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Jim - May 21 - 6:25 pm

  Consumer reports and Edmunds have this SUV totally wrong. In 9 months its been in the shop 5 times, and has had 4 recalls and almost got me killed twice from safety installed technology features. The software crashes more that a PC in the 90s. Glitches in the software caused the entire dashboard and ipad system to go down when I was on the highway doing 70, then it locks up and wont go more than 30 miles and hour about getting me killed, has to towed in, takes 3 three days to get back and there only answer is we fixed it by updating the software?? Next the active collision system keep going of when car that are in the lane beside me slow down forcing my XC90 to abruptly break getting me almost rammed from behind 4 times. The brakes have been recalled and the transmission started locking up. entertainment system goes down and want respond almost every day and there is a delay in the car staring. After 18000 miles the belts had to be replaced from fraying... This is a piece of software digital crap read reviews of this car from people who own. The technicians have no idea and it takes weeks to get parts. Im begging you if you have children dont by this car,,, its dangerous..Volvo is owned by company out of China and has all the quality of a product you would expect out of that country. They may not MFG it there but its got that money first quality maybe mentality

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  Watch out: poor electrical system design - 2000 Volvo S80
  By craigs - May 16 - 2:00 am

  Used, 1 prev owner. Within 4 months, had the following electrical systems fail at separate times; I had second opinion for repairs: Air cond. control unit failure Antilock brake system unit failure STS (traction control) unit failure Exhaust system - faulure Intermittent light failure Transmission control unit -- failure When the STS and ABS control units fail, they cause the transmission control unit to fail. Spoke with other S80 customers who had similar experiences. 1999-2002 models are known for having faulty / poorly design electrical systems. Summary Make sure your warranty covers ELECTRICAL AND has rental car coverage. Youll need it.

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  What A Joke - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By David - May 9 - 2:33 pm

  I purchased the Volvo XC90 for safety and reliability. The air conditioner has died three times, the engine blew up when the service department turned off the service light, leather seat split at the seams at 80,000 miles, font head lights faded and had to be replaced at 60,000 miles. There are no after market parts, Volvo stands behind its product as little as possible and charges $1,000.00 for just about everything. Even the key broke and thy charged $300 for a new one.