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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  check engine 2 times in 5 months - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By gpkng - May 28 - 8:16 pm

  Returned to dealer for check engine 2 times and 3 times because the windshield washer fluid does not work when temperature is below freezing. Still not fixed. I wonder if anybody else had the same problem. They changed a valve, but did not correct the problem. Scared to drive when it snows - defeats the reason for purchasing a SUV.I am taking it in again.May be I should get a new car. Otherwise drives well. 3rd row seating is too crammed.

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  Love/Hate Relationship - 1999 Volvo S80
  By DME123 - May 25 - 2:00 am

  This car is so much fun to drive, but is too unreliable to keep. Three radiators, 2 transmissions, 2 gear shift mechanisms, more bulbs and sensors replaced than I can count, etc.. Towed to the dealer twice within a month. It is truly a shame that an automobile that is this stylish and enjoyable to drive is so poorly engineered. UNRELIABLE=UNSAFE

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  T6 - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Greg - May 23 - 10:36 pm

  Have T6 for 5 months. Replaced VW Passat 07 2.0T. Runs excellent, real fun to drive. Very comfortable. The worth thing is gas mileage. Not to bed on the highways (24-25mpg), absolutely poor in the city - never more then 12mpg, same super and regular gasoline. Comparing to Passat 2.0 - 25mpg in the city, 35mpg on the highways.

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  184,000 Miles and still going strong!! - 1998 Volvo V70
  By ryan - May 21 - 12:26 am

  I have owned a lot of Volvos, this is by far the best one yet. My car has 184k miles on it and it still going strong. it has only had a few small problems, (MAF, small oil leak and o2 sensor) other then that the car has been great. I drive all the time and this in car is the most comfortable I have ever had. The AWD is great in the Snowbelt where I live. just make sure you keep ALL 4 TIREs with 2\32 of each other. If you dont you will have to replace the entire AWD system. and when you replace tires you must replace ALL FOUR at once.

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  If they could provide reliable service.. - 2000 Volvo S70
  By Shelster - May 20 - 10:00 am

  I am an original owner. I love how the car looks and how it handles, and overall I love the car -- but I have had problems. The blinkers took 5 trips to the dealer to get fixed, then I gave up. Also, bulbs burn out on this car every day it seems. Goes through headlight bulbs every couple of months. Also, I had to replace the fan in the air conditioning. Also the check engine light was coming on, and the dealer told me that hardly ever happens - it was a $900. repair and the car was out of warrantee by 5,000 miles. Thank goodness the dealer ended up fixing it for free. What a blessing. I guess you can say Volvo and I really have a love-hate relationship!

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  Former volvo lover - 2001 Volvo S60
  By John - May 19 - 8:20 am

  I started with a 122s, then a 240. Loved them. Not this car. Bulbs constantly burning out from day 1. Dealer replaced rear control arms at 30K. Since then weve replaced another $2000 in suspension parts. Problems with air conditioner vents on hot days. They close, even though cold air is still present. Door lock system sometimes fails to lock the passenger door. Will never buy another Volvo.

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  Not Comfy - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Jimbo1234 - May 13 - 10:00 am

  This car is amazing, I really enjoy almost everything about it...the handling is great, the looks are wonderful, and the safety is second to none.

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  Has the worst interior! - 2000 Volvo S80
  By msC - May 6 - 3:43 am

  I agree with previous reviews about the maintenance, every time I took it for maintenance was $300 or more. The leather has cracked and the door and window panels has totally come apart. Had window tint done at dealership it literally shrunk, they guaranteed it but when went to dealer, states they dont used that company any more and I need to find someone to replace it.

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  good overall car - 2000 Volvo S70
  By cube35 - May 3 - 2:06 am

  So far I have been pleased with my purchase. Very comfortable on long drives and the power is adequate. I expected a more quiet ride for a car in this price range. Overall complaints are few except for road noise (on par with wifes previous Honda Accord) and the cup holders are a joke. Like the distictive looks and comfortable seats. Have not had any service issues.

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  Before you buy - 2003 Volvo S40
  By CBG - May 1 - 2:00 am

  I really do like my S40, but the maintenance cost are a bit outrageous. In one year I have spent apx. $700.00 JUST ON MAINTENANCE. Plus every 15,000 miles you have to replace all the break pads ($150). The car is very fun to drive and has great pick-up, but if I had known I would be spending so much money on maintenance I would have stayed with my Toyota.