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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  Absolutely recommend! - 2012 Volvo S60
  By leasingman - November 8 - 5:28 pm

  Ive had mine for about a month and took it on a 1000 mile trip. This car is stylish, fun to drive, solid, and very comfortable. If you dont need AWD, dont bother with the T6 and save at least five grand. The T5s power is excellent. The front seats are the most comfortable ones that Ive ever had in a car, but the lumbar adjuster is in an awkward place. Gas mileage is astounding. On the trip using cruise as much as possible, six hours from PA to VA we averaged 34mpg!! 28 mpg up and down hills from VA to WV. Didnt reset and after the WV back to PA run, we were back at 32 mpg. I, and my son with ipod, think the base sound system is fine. Excellent value compared to the A4, 328i, & 300C.

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  Love my S60! - 2012 Volvo S60
  By dogman99 - November 5 - 7:25 pm

  I cant say enough of this car. I test drove the T6 because thats all what the dealer had but I really dont see much of a deference between the 2 cars. Would of got the T6 but it was out of my price range. The T5 is perfect for me anyway. Just like others people said, it drives, handles great and is has a comfortable ride. I got about 550 miles on it so I havent really got on the gas. Definitely going to drive this car into the ground! I would suggest this car to everybody. I was lucky enough to be stationed in Germany so I got a discount on my car which saved me like 6 grand then from buying it in the states.

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  New Blue Volvo - 1996 Volvo 850
  By P Cars - November 4 - 5:56 am

  I work at a Volvo dealership and found these cars to have the best quality for purchase price ratio of any Volvo. I found this one through a private party and loved it the minute I saw it. It had numerous problems at first. ABS control unit, spring seats, torque mount, fluid conditions and leaks. After repairing these for cheap and flushing every possible fluid this car runs great and drives wonderfully. I find I just feel good driving in it. I never mind giving people rides or going on errands just to have the chance to drive it. The paint isnt the best but I still love the color. Unfortunately, the best mpg Ive seen is 22. The interior is laid out well and its easy to access all buttons.

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  Worst car Ive ever owned - 2005 Volvo S40
  By sgtcheesenols - November 3 - 6:25 pm

  I have owned a Mitsubishi and 2 Hyundais in my lifetime, and taken all of them beyond 100K miles. They all had minimal issues, and 2 of them are still running with their new owners. At 50K miles, this Volvo began having a myriad of issues. I spent over $6K fixing it, and finally gave up. I had to replace the Dashboard A/C vents, the A/C compressor, the ceiling carpet, the brakes, both engine mounts, among other things. I finally gave up! The quality and reliability of this vehicle is horrible enough to make me never want to buy a Volvo again. Buyer beware if you plan

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  3 years, 45000 miles - 2007 Volvo S60
  By Revolvolution - November 3 - 1:16 am

  We bought this car in 2005, the first year the R was available. After much research it came down to the Audi A4, BMW 3 series, Mercedes C Class and the Volvo S60R. After a test drive in each the Volvo was the clear winner. Faster pickup, more solid build quality. The BMW and MBenz felt like toys compared to this. The Audi was nice but had now where near the OOMPH! AWD was a must for us living in the Northeast. We have driven it over 45,000 miles now in the city and highway with no major mechanical issues. This is the 2nd one we owned (yes, I was the first person in the United States to total an "R"). Major rollover accident. WE ALL WALKED AWAY WITHOUT A SCRATCH! Volvo saved my life.

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  My best car ever! - 1999 Volvo S80
  By autotech - November 2 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned several vehicles in the past and no vehicle has ever been anywhere near as enjoyable as my 1999 Volvo S80 T6. I have absolutely no complaints with this car at all. The car did have one repair right after I bought it and of course it was covered by the warranty. They also updated the cars computer software free of charge. The software upgrade takes care of just about every issue with this car. I am nearing the 80,000 mile mark on my S80 and love the car more and more. Just try an S80 T6. Youll be happily amazed!

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  Great Car - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Beck - November 2 - 2:00 am

  Purchased as recertified in 10/01. Awesome car! I guess any problems with this model were fixed by previous owner. Sounds like the first buyers got screwed big time. Anyway, 13k miles later (now at 38k), not a problem since day 1. Incredible comfort, reliability, acceleration is something else. To sum it up, this car is power and luxury. Anyone driving with me is stunned by the performance and comfort. I hope I never need to know how it is safety wise.

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  Very Costly Driving Pleasure - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Joe Balasicka - October 30 - 2:30 am

  I love everything about this car except it is as reliable as a newspaper in a hailstorm. It only has 50k and the following already has had to be repaired: front struts, bearings and plates, ABS module, oxygen sensor, front bushings, motor mount,has oil leak that mechanic said to wait until I see oil on ground, engine light currently on?, just recommended tie rods to be replaced by mechanic-can wait on that.

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  Excellent Value - 2005 Volvo S40
  By chaz - October 30 - 1:46 am

  This is our first Volvo and so far I,m very impressed, The styling, both interior and exterior is very eye catching. The safety features are second to none and while the performance of the 2.4I is nothing special it does offer adequate power and above average ride and handling. I highly recommend the heated leather seats as well as the sport package which includes 17" alloy wheels. The base single CD player is more than adequate. On the downside the interior is a little cramped for me,(602,200lbs)and the back seat would be very tight for adults. Also, our standard sized booster seats did not fit in the back seats. Volvo does offer as an accessorie a booster cushion/ backrest.

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  Great CAR!!! - 2003 Volvo S40
  By Maria F - October 28 - 2:00 am

  This car has been a dream, I have had no problems with it, and the service department is amazing.