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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  I own it since 1996 - 1996 Volvo 960
  By JOHN HAPUARACHCHI - August 30 - 3:40 am

  I bought my Volvo 960 made in 1995 October in 1996 March and has been with me since. I have gone through several BMW 5 series cars since 2000 but Volvo 960 stays with me. This is a car you never get tired of seeing, never get tired of driving or travelling in it and no rush (aluminium body), great quality all around except for the cup holder design. it has done 188000 now and it is going to stay with me and I drove myself to work in that this morning just to keep it in good shape. Ive travelled from Darwin to Adelaide and back 5 times in this car which is 6000 kms plus per trip and it never missed a beat. It is now without a doubt the best Volvo 960 in South Australia and Im very happy as cars are not made this way anymore and no Volvos come out of Sweden any more either. So I guess my 960 SE is a special car.

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  Wish I had test driven other models - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By nana50 - December 29 - 2:00 am

  I am somewhat pleased with my XC90. I love the body style, the handling, the ease of controls and I have had absolutley no maintenance issues so far. I didnt realize how much I would miss the driver arm rests and I am surprised at how noisy and bumpy the ride is for the price of this car. My first choice was the Lexus Gx but was way out of my price range. The gas mileage on the XC90 is not that great either. I did find out however that it is okay to use regular unleaded in it. I put mid-grade in mine and performs well. If I had it to do over I would have liked to have looked at the new 330. I am reluctant to buy new models but have a friend who loves her.

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  A great vehicle but lots of repairs - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By VolvoBuyer - December 29 - 2:00 am

  I came on this website because i have a bad dealership working on my XC90 T6 and want to inform other buyers. I have had it in the shop 4 times and the same problems keep recurring. The last problem was the seat which moves 1/4- 1/3 of on inch upon stopping and the dealership admits problem but wont replace the seat. I have a BMW 528 and E320 and bought Volvo for its reliability. Brakes have drag against the drum until mod was performed. Squeeking in front left strut upon turning. Interior molding has come loose or has been broken under normal wear. Car is costly but I expected better quality from Volvo. I say one thing - Buyer beware!

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  Nice car but has a very rough ride - 2008 Volvo S80
  By Dave M - December 23 - 10:23 pm

  My S80 is a well built car, but after owning it a couple of weeks, Im extremely disappointed in how rough the ride is. I called the dealership to see if they had could order shocks that arent as stiff but they tell me that none are available. Their recommendation was to decrease the tire pressure; not much of response if you ask me. Next time, Ill be sure to test drive a car on something other than the dealers recommended route.

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  High Maintenance - 1999 Volvo S80
  By William North - December 15 - 6:46 am

  Volvo T6 is generally a great car, but... The maintenance required, frequency of failures, and quality (and high price) of parts means I would never have bought it "if I had known." Examples: replaced the computer chip regulating gas flow 3 times (at $600 parts plus labor), replaced the fuel pump twice, same prices.

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  Frustration - 2001 Volvo S40
  By tmbbmt - December 14 - 3:03 am

  I wanted to get a Volvo before grad school because I always viewed them as safe, reliable, lasting cars. Our old volvo wagon went 330k miles with few problems. This car is one big electrical malfunction. Windshield fluid spray/wipers randomly coming on, air/heat confused as to whether it should be putting out hot or cold air and at high or low, constantly replacing lights, check engine light coming on and off when it pleases (believe this is a sensor issue). Sometimes its like the radio display is possessed. But for me, I kinda lost faith in my car when I stopped in the middle of a toll plaza on 95 and my car shut off and took 15 mins to restart.

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  Lemon - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By Bruce Shaw - December 4 - 10:00 am

  Volvo has agreed to take back my car under the lemon law. car will not start under 47 degrees temperature. Computer shuts down auto with every possible excuse as to what is wrong appearing on the consol. dealership and consulting engineers have been unable to locate problem. They are replacing the vehicle with a 2004 xc70.

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  Solid sports sedan - 2013 Volvo S60
  By tomhager - December 1 - 8:45 am

  Traded in my Acura TSX after the second timing chain went out, test drove a T5 AWD and was hooked -- great combo of comfort and fun. Drove it through a late-night thunderstorm in the Oregon mountains and felt perfectly safe -- the thing corners like its on rails. Love the power and quiet.

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  i must have gotten the good one - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By doug - December 1 - 1:03 am

  we have put all but 23 miles on this vehicle and are not unhappy. 5 cylinder is a bit noisy on hard acceleration but we change the oil when due, put gas in the tank and drive. still has original battery, did do the 105000 maintenance. at 70000 put front break pads on. just put the 3rd set of tires on last august this vehicle can carry a lot of stuff. the back seats are rather flat so no comfortable for long trips however like ivory soap, only two of us ride in the think 99.44%of the time. we can get 2 bicycles in but it is a hassle so they go on top. only if i go by myself do a bike go inside. expect to drive at least another 100000 miles before retiring

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  217,000 and going strong - 2004 Volvo S60
  By birddogphil - November 28 - 12:25 pm

  I have driven this car for business for the last 8 years.This is my second Volvo in recent years and I consider this S60 to be as close to the perfect car for me as I will ever get.With the 2.4 engine,I think the performance is good but obviously not stellar.Reliability,comfort,style,MPG are however all stellar.Keep a few extra bulbs on hand,change the oil and do regular maintenance and do what I am planning to do-keep driving this car for 300,000 miles and then decide if I should look for a new ride.