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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  Lots of pros and cons - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Sara - January 12 - 3:26 am

  I bought a certified used S60 T5 from a great dealership. Unfortunately I moved and the dealerships Ive dealt with in Los Angeles are pretty bad with customer service. Calabasas Volvo in particular is horrible. Anyway, I do really enjoy the car, but have been frustrated with some random problems that I think are unacceptable for a "luxury" car. Pros: 1) Very comfortable, wonderful seats and beautiful interior 2) adequate power and muscular feel 3) safe and stable Cons: 1) The turning radius is AWFUL. I cannot make U-turns, period. Ever. Even turning around in a parking lot is tough. 2) Visibility is really poor. 3) CD wont play burned CDs, often gets "stuck". 4) random electrical problems

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  Good for the money! - 2003 Volvo S80
  By Jack B - January 11 - 1:50 am

  I have owned the S80T since Aug 2003 and have mixed feelings on the car. Decent acceleration & Braking. However, the turbo lag can be somewhat annoying. Love the Stepronic like shifter. The interior of the car is cheap. Tons of plastic. Volvo saved a ton going this route. If you have experienced a BMW, Lexus, or MB, you will be dissapointed. The main reason I bought the car was for the seats. These seats are incredable! The Stereo rocks when playing CD s. However, the AM radio stinks. Several trips to the dealer to solve the ear popping crackling and interference have failed to solved the prob. Good Performance, Cheap interior, Great seats. 15K less than a BMW.

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  No Longer Happy! - 2002 Volvo S40
  By MDB - January 10 - 9:23 pm

  Chose Volvo for safety and supposed longevity. Generally agree with comments of satisfied owners, though have had some of the problems -- lamp bulbs and brake pads. Owned the car for 7 years, yet only 58,000 miles, so expected at least a couple of more years w/o major repairs. Surprise! Last week my wife drove home from work, and upon arrival stated that something was really wrong with the car. Wheels very hot; towed to dealer; week later Volvo area expert determined that ABS pump failed, entire brake system damaged; repair cost $2800. Have followed all recommended servicing; most recent visit no brake problems noted. Dealer service has been very good, yet we will not buy another Volvo!

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  Needs Work - 2005 Volvo V50
  By CDF58 - January 9 - 5:33 pm

  My 2005 V50 lacks power, the S40 has more "pick-up" than this car. It has trouble with even a gradual incline and theres a delay when stepping on the gas to speed up. From the time I took delivery of the car, it had an acceleration issue after slowing down to go over speed bump or turning corners - very annoying. It would seem like it was going to stall when I reapplied pressure to the gas pedal. Service people didnt know how to fix it for the first 2+ years I owned it. The horn went out, my keys have fallen apart, and I hear a loud click/clunk when I back up while parallel parking. Visibility is poor - rear view and front-sides of windshield. Driver seatbelt seizes up regularly. Whew!

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  Great Family SUV! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By SonnyH - January 5 - 6:50 am

  I purchased this XC90 from an original owner about 2 months ago with a little over 80K on it. The XC90 is a very tight/safe ride to be in. Before searching for an SUV Ive looked at the Sequoia, MDX and Pilot (all good cars) but at the end decided to purchase the XC90. The main reason for that was the safety features (curtain airbags on all seating rows) and how stable the car handles on the road especially at high speed.

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  Performs quite well - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Tony - January 3 - 3:03 am

  We bought ours as a certified pre-owned vehicle and have had no problems what so ever since purchase. Overall the fit and finish of the XC90 is very good and reliability is excellent.The 2.5T is not a powerhouse of an engine, but on the highway and around town its adequate. Its a good,safe family car.

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  Fix it! No probs... - 1998 Volvo V70
  By neuftimes67 - December 31 - 11:20 am

  This year car is easy to fix yourself, Ebay has tons of parts for every issue you may have. Makes me scratch my head when I see people say too much to maintain. well find another person or do yourself. Had this tank over 8 years and 2 kids learn to drive on it. they did not break it maybe a parking lot slam but replace fender and there ya go. Best car for my kids to learn to drive around and I feel they are safe, always starts, never failed ever. all I do is replace the rubber parts and electric stuff, shocks, break pads, took 3 day to replace timing belt but oh well. This car is a Tank. when my car breaks down I take out old reliable. so this Volvo v70x/c is a good buy.

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  Florida Volvo XC90 - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Gerry Kirkpatrick - December 30 - 11:26 am

  I enjoy driving this vehicle and feel extremely safe in it My only disappointment is in the gas mileage. I traded in a Tahoe in perfect condition to get rid of the 8 cylinder engine only to get less gas mileage. If I had know about the mileage I would have gone with the more powerful 8 cyl.Volvo as it had a smoother ride and more power on the road.

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  Comfortable but.... - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By flolive - December 30 - 11:21 am

  Lots of little problems, but very very safe. Got into an accident and totaled the front and rear end of the car, the other passenger and I walked out without a scratch. No problems with the first XC60, but the 2nd one is a different story. Very comfortable ride, but sometimes the engine gets fussy. The smallest press on the gas pedal can make the RPMs jump from 1200 to 4000. The inside is nice, but I have had many small electrical problems. After 3 months of owning the vehicle the horn stopped working, USB port, side mirrors folding in, garage remote, electrical outlet, and many other small problems. This is my 4th volvo, and the only one Ive had this many problems with!

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  Do Not Buy This Car - 2001 Volvo S80
  By mwdlaw - December 28 - 7:43 pm

  Bought this car in 3/05 with 69k miles. Three days later the transmission blew, needed a complete rebuild, then one month later upper & lower tie rod ends needed replacement. Then at a routine fuel stop the gas tank lid hinge broke. As if that was not enough 2 power door lock actuators went bad after that. Now the car is in the shop again after failing on 4th of July weekend. We we turning left at an intersection when the car died, alsomost got struck by onccomming cars! Also lost the power steering, Im just glad I was driving and not my wife! After limping to the shop for repairs I was told the air mass meter & the throttle body needed to be replace for $1400. This car is junk