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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  Could have been a lemon - 2001 Volvo S60
  By old one - October 2 - 10:53 pm

  We purchased the Volvo S60 based on reputation. We were very disappointed. The car was always in the shop for one thing or another. Also frustrating, was having the car fixed and maintained. Finally, after less than 2 years of having the car, the sway bar broke. We turned it in, purchased a Maxima and have been happy since. Additional note - the only seat comfortable to ride in was the drivers seat. The back was very uncomfortable.

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  Transmission and AWD Problems - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By tracyt302 - September 29 - 3:56 am

  Bought new and replaced rear wheel bearings at about 50K miles replaced transmission and angle gear (AWD) at 94K. No assistance from Volvo. Very poor design flaw. Will not buy another Volvo. Replaced steering rack and power steering unit and another rear wheel bearing.

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  A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT - 1999 Volvo S70
  By arabela - September 27 - 10:00 am

  I have had multiple different warrantee problems from power window switch failures to fuel uptake problems. I also do not like the make or design of their bumpers, as they are not as sturdy as previous years. They mar very easily and are difficult to repair.

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  Mixed feeling after nearly a year of ownership - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By CN - September 22 - 8:22 am

  My wife and I purchased the car last year after narrowing down the choices to this and an MB GL350 diesel. I preferred the Benz, but this car was for my wife and she liked it better. Between the two it is the better overall value option. Ours has every major option except the trailer hitch and HUD. Overall, its been a good car, but there are some nagging design faults that really detract from it. First up is the HUD. Im 6 2", and it was not possible to adjust the system to permit me to see it clearly; the top edge was always cut off, hence one of the reasons we didnt get that option. Next are the seats. They are the most uncomfortable seats I have ever had to suffer through. After nearly a year of driving it I still cant adjust them to a comfortable position. The seat bottoms literally pinch my butt on the drivers side. On the passenger side my tail bone sits directly on the seam for the extendable thigh support. The lumbar support in the seat back cant be set in a position that works for me for long periods. The seats in our car are the contour models (I think); maybe the comfort seats dont have these issues. For me, the 2nd row seats are far more comfortable. My wife is 5 3" and she doesnt have any issues with the seats. My recollection is the Swedes are pretty tall, so why cant they make a seat that fits a tall person? The next item is the cruise control. The controls are backwards in that a single button press adjust the speed up (or down) by 5 mph, while press and hold adjusts by 1 mph. These actions should be reversed. The infotainment/electronic systems occasionally glitch, though software updates seem to have generally improved their operation. The most serious glitch, experienced by me and my wife separately, has been the emergency braking warning going off for no reason, accompanied by the automatic emergency braking. This occurred to each of us on the highway. Fortunately, traffic was light during both instances, and the action was momentary. Fuel economy is, frankly, lousy considering the engine size. Were averaging around 21-22 mpg in mixed driving. The best weve managed was about 25 mpg on a 450-miles trip. Our Odysseys engine is nearly twice the size and that car gets nearly 30 mpg on the highway. And, its a larger car (and weighs the same). Compounding the low fuel economy is the ridiculously small fuel tank. 18.5 gallons? Seriously? It should be at least 20, preferably more given the lousy economy. Volvo really missed an opportunity by not offering a V6, or bringing the diesel to the U.S. On the plus side, the infotainment system is easy to use. The ride with the air suspension is sublime. It feels like a tank. Fit and finish, and materials are first rate and every bit on par (or better) than the Germans. The biggest plus in my book, though, is that my wife absolutely loves the car, so its a keeper.

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  Never Again Buying Volvo - 2000 Volvo S80
  By longliveGM - September 21 - 10:00 am

  Bought a used 2000 S80 Turbo for a "safe, reliable, and comfortable" commuter vehicle. Well, its definitely comfortable, and safe from all accounts Ive read, but reliable? HA! Ive had this car 4 months and its been in the shop for SEVEN weeks total! Electrical problems with message center, faulty parts installed on a routine 60,000 mile service, and the transmission went out at 70,000 miles. Followed service manual to a T, and this is what I get for a $45,000 car? Im going back to Chevrolet.

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  DO NOT buy this model... EVER - 2000 Volvo V40
  By Cynthia - September 14 - 5:13 am

  I have had nothing but major headaches with this vehicle ever since the 5 yr/50,000 mi. warranty expired. From O2 sensor problems, faulty engine mounts,transmission replacement at 80,000 mi., several brake pad kits, fuel regulator, battery, constant alignments, gaskets/seals,timing belt. The cupholder broke in first 3 months,as did armrest, front wipers, moonroof and passenger side mirror- I have had to spend more money on this car than I ever did on my Toyota Camry in 15 years of life. Either I got a lemon, or this is the worst car ever designed. Just skip Volvo altogether- Its expensive and not what it used to be

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  Quality Control Doesnt Exist - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By mountaintown - September 12 - 4:20 am

  In the shop multiple times since purchasing. Squeaks and rattles still not fixed. Problems with 3 separate car systems. I feel like Volvo has stolen my money. Avoid until Quality Control improvements documented.

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  Electric network broke after 3 days - 2010 Volvo XC70
  By MM - September 7 - 5:36 pm

  Four days ago, I bought a new xc70. Was very happy and impressed by the look of the car & interior comfort. Yesterday, a brake failure signal start blinking & asked me to stop. I stopped & put the car in park & turned it off. Anyway, a big mess. The dealer service could not fix it the next day & gave me a loaner & stating it will take a week or more to find the problem. It is hard to digest this. Anyway, I hope they fix the car soon, although I do not know how I can be sure that the problem is fixed.

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  Be prepared for monthly repairs - 2001 Volvo S40
  By jgookassian - August 29 - 10:00 am

  Date-Odometer-Service 6/5/01-4847-Fuel gauge is not reading 9/10/01-7284-Replaced a door molding 5/30/02-14706-replaced front washer valve 8/8/02-16536-Replaced the rear brake pads 3/8/03-23553-Takes 2-3 tries to start the car. Performed speed sensor update 3/19/03-24503-Takes 2-3 tries to start the car. Could not reproddyce 5/30/03-28186-Replaced all light bulbs 7/8/03-30247-Turbo oil return tube leaking. Replaced front brake pads 7/31/03-31586-Install SOP oxygen sensor, install updated wiring harness 9/16/03-34079-Replaced front oxygen sensor 12/9/03-37319-Transmission internally slipping. Replaced the transmission. Continued below.

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  My Review - 2000 Volvo S40
  By Schmelter - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Had to replace rear brakes at 7500miles. Seats small and lack support. Feels like sitting on a bench. A lot of rattles and noises.