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 - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By MTG - November 7 - 6:56 pm

  I would not buy this vehicle again. Have replaced almost the entire suspension of the this vehicle and the transmission failed twice, once at 60K miles and again 6 months later. As other customers have said, the customer service was awful.

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  Our XC60 Nightmare - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By nzgazza - October 30 - 10:58 pm

  We live in NZ and bought a new XC60 T6 12 months ago. It now has done 6,500km, and has been off the road for a total of 4 weeks. The issues -Engine oil leak - new gasket was fitted -Since the oil leak repair we have topped -up the engine oil. (still an issue?) -False seat belt alarms (not yet resolved) - City Stop activating twice with no obstacles in the way, terrifying my wife and two boys. -The car failed the WOF due to a leak from the power steering, a new steering rack was fitted -A new faulty steering pipe had to be replaced - A fastener was also required the same job We contacted Volvo Sweden who didnt want to know. Our first and last Volvo, worst car we have ever owned

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  Bad Bad SUV. Frustrated - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Me - October 16 - 11:40 am

  I purchased the Volvo XC90 V8 due to the safety and convenience features. I have nothing but problems with the SUV. It stalls and is a hazard. Upon checking the internet, there are many purchasers that have had problems with the Volvo XC90. Next time I will stick to Toyota/Lexus. This Volvo is a headache. By the way, this is supposed to be my wifes SUV. She is 7 months pregnant. She will not be driving this vehicle! Another issue is the towing capacity. It is rated at 5000 pounds. This is with the driver only. Any passengers and cargo decreases this capacity rapidly. Also, it requires a transmission cooler and brake controller. The dealers wont install them.

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  Great SUV (When It WORKS) - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Dave H - October 10 - 8:49 pm

  When my wife and I leased this SUV, we fell in LOVE with it. The screen, controls, the safety features and even the gas mileage was great. We had it for 5 months and then the entire computer system went NUTS. Left me stranded in a parking lot without being able to start the car because the computer applied the parking brake and would not let go. Then the car only started the first try 70% of the time. It took some button pushing and resetting with the door locks the other 30% (NO IDEA WHY) Then the noises started. The dealer ended up replacing the entire front end and still noises persisted. It ended up being faulty transmission and engine mounts. To reiterate what another reviewer said, the dealer had to learn from Volvo Cars of America technicians how to work on the car. Our XC90 was in the shop for more than 2 months that we had it. We are now giving the car back to Volvo but if we were to keep it, it needs a software upgrade and the windows screech all the way down and up. I love the styling and honestly love the SUV, but it seems they need to work through many items to make this Car of the Year worthy.

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  Never ever again My friends too - 1998 Volvo V70
  By DaveM - September 30 - 2:00 am

  Got this v70glt for my wife new. From the start it was a nightmare. I cant tell you how many times its been in the shop. But I know all the service managers by their first names. It is getting worse over time. Im out at 75K with thousands spent in repairs. Run dont walk.

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  Poor Reliability and Quality!!! Dont Waste Your Money!!! - 2013 Volvo XC90
  By sah2075 - September 14 - 6:12 am

  Volvo shouldnt even classify the 2013 XC90 in the midsize luxury SUV category, because it is a poorly designed and unreliable vehicle that is poorly manufactured. Issues I have had with my XC90: * Brakes- Squeal, rub, vibrate...dealer would not fix. * Starter went out...leaving me stranded in the middle of the highway * AC compressor went out * Loud rattles and clicking noises while driving * Leather seats get scratches on them easily from clothing rubbing against them * Back up warning alarm did not alarm at times * Blind spot indicator sensors would not work properly at times. * Third row seat is a waste, no adult will fit in it.

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  Do Not Buy This Car - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By jennelle - August 13 - 9:45 am

  Do not buy this car. I bought brand new from the Ontario dealer. I have had one problem after another. However, I only have 700 characters here. Most were minor but annoying since my closest dealer is 1 1/2 hrs away and they dont offer authorized repair anywhere but at a Volvo dealership. Now at just 60,000 miles the transmission and drive shaft have to be replaced to the tune of $5000+. If the dealer does the repairs is $8000 . And Volvo wont help one bit. Talking to my local mechanic and reading the blogs the Volvo SUV have had a lot of major mechanical problems. Do your research... do not buy a Volvo SUV you will be sorry.

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  Mix Bag of Unknowns - 2008 Volvo XC70
  By Kevin - June 11 - 2:10 am

  We bought this in April and I am very sensitive to transmission quirks . It hunts incessantly from gear to gear indecisively making me a bit uncomfortable. I never felt confident and the mpg is not near the perf we should get. . I kept getting the runaround from the dealer saying its an "adaptive" trans. and would smooth out after break in , but I know cars and was upset 4 months later- gas mileage under 20 I finally snapped sold it on craigslist saying we were moving . Yeah moving from one car to another . The Volvo was true to its FORD bones-poor-power to weight. We got an Audi A4 - Like night and day- some sap got the VOLVO- Volvos now I know what all the hupla is about- nothing!

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  The C-70 SUCKS - 2004 Volvo C70
  By Anthony Ciara - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I have a 2004 C-70 ,,, 2200 miles..stering suspention horrible, Interior the wood grain actually just fell off the shifter, The interior roof ripped from poor design, the seat is showing wear on the leathor , and as i was vacuming the car ,the door panel ripped ,STAY AWAY,,IT SUCKS

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  Worst Car Ive Ever Owned! - 2000 Volvo S80
  By s80nightmare - May 26 - 10:00 am

  How I wish I knew what I was getting into three years ago! I have had nothing but problems with my 2000 T-6 and the first one (a 99 T-6) was taken back by the dealer. Volvo tried to make a really awesome car but put it on the market to let the consumer find the bugs! Shame on them! Mechanically, it is by far the most unreliable car I have ever had. My advice: SAVE YOURSELF A HUGE AMOUNT OF TIME, MONEY, HEADACHE, AND HEARTACHE AND DONT BUY THE S80!