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:

• 

  Great car for first 120k, but now......? - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Dutchman - May 22 - 2:20 am

  Getting some anxieties about upcoming costs. Volvo shops are VERY expensive. Are they better than local guy? I dont know. So far we had to do only the normal maintenance, but we now also have the loose sway bars, rusting brakes, the tailgate interior loose and the "check engine" light on of which the first repair did not fix it..... Is it falling apart? Selling makes no sense. Trade-in values are horribly low. So from feeling like we were driving the best car of the world, we now are in sticker shock looking at rising repair costs and no good alternative.... A lube job to a squeaking skylight would require its removal @ several hundreds....

• 

  1998 Volvo V70 Wagon - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Pablo - May 20 - 7:43 am

  Its an expensive car with cheap hardware. Its fun to drive, somewhat economical on gas, fairly comfortable, very expensive to maintain compared to other cars I have owned. I would not buy another Volvo, as much I have always liked and admired them.

• 

  Car is great but possible improvements - 2008 Volvo V70
  By aef83a - May 19 - 2:26 am

  This is not a typical station wagon. The handling is not like that of a sports sedan but it works for what this vehicle is. You will appreciate the comfort and convenience that the V70 provides, and although I have yet to see proof I hope that it is safe as well.

• 

  New Mom disappointed to give up Volvo - 2000 Volvo S40
  By New Mom disappointed - May 15 - 2:00 am

  Up until the day I had to put the infant carrier into the backseat, I loved my S40. Its stylish, peppy, and comfortable. Unfortunately, the car is too small to handle a carseat. The front seats have to practically be moved all the way up to accomodate it. My husband feels like hes driving a "go-cart" with the way he squashed in. We did have continuing trouble with the check engine light but a recall has seemed to correct that issue. The radios reception is poor also. I have had it replaced once and this has not cleared up the issue.

• 

  Awesome Black Sapphire Metallic V8 Sport - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By Bill - May 14 - 5:16 am

  I love this car!! Tested the 2007 X5 V8, MB GL450 and the Audi Q7. This one had the best performance for the price. Handles like a dream and has more than adequate power. Im not sure what a previous poster meant about not having auto locking and a compass. I have both. The auto lock is turned off from the factory, you just turn it on as per page 108 of the manual. The compass is on my rear view mirror. Test this one before you buy anything.

• 

  Often Love This Car - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Margaret Treat - May 14 - 2:33 am

  Have owned this since new. I enjoy the comfort of the ride and the saftey features. The car has never broken down on me. I travel cross country alone and even camp in it. Its solid. I have had to replace the top motor mount, mass air flow, lots of headlight and tail light bulbs, the electronic throttle and the temp sensor for the heater. But the car has 150,000 miles on it. The motor doesnt use a drop of oil. I have used Mobile 1 in it since break in. The car is amazing on icy and snow packed roads. I often say I love the car and have kept it longer than my cars in the past. But repairs are expensive and I hate the dealership. With no other dealership close, I would not buy another one.

• 

  No luck with volvo - 2001 Volvo V70
  By zandarlo - May 13 - 10:00 am

  Where do i start with the problems i have had? Ever been awakened at 6am on a sunday morning to a horn that wont stop honking? I have - 2 different times. Transmission started slipping the third week of ownership. Finally got the dealer to replace the transmission at 20,000 miles (after the car slipped out of gear and died on a busy street during rush hour). Door lock and alarm system has been replaced. Fuel tank door keeps falling off. Seems that I replace light bulbs way too often. Have contaced Volvo customer service, but they dont seem to care about my problems. They just keep telling me how safe and reliable their cars are. Needless to say,

• 

  Great car for 2 - 2000 Volvo C70
  By kadwa - May 10 - 2:00 am

  Great car, big enough to put the kids in the back seat, but as any two door car a hassle to let them in and out of. VERY QUIET, no more noise than a sedan or coupe. With the top up, it feels like a coupe.

• 

  My volvo T5 - 1998 Volvo S70
  By TJC - May 10 - 2:00 am

  When i bought this car I was very excited. I bought this because i liked the styling and the safety rating. i bought this in 98 it has about 107kms on it now and its been back to the volvo dealer so many times for door locks, window motors/conrols, and small things like that.

• 

  Overall, Not Bad - 2008 Volvo XC70
  By revolver - May 9 - 2:46 pm

  Weve had Volvo sedans before, put this is our first wagon. Its a tank. I cant imagine a sturdier, more substantial vehicle. Its outstanding in rain and youre 100% confident in matters of traction and handling all the time. Amazingly comfortable overall. My issues? A perpetual rattle in the cargo area. Had it serviced, but the fix lasted only one day. Going back in again soon. Mileage? I had to shut off the display so I wouldnt cry- -long stretches on local roads at 6MPG. I probably average 16MPG overall. Would I recommend it? Yes, but think hard if youre mostly puttering around town because of the mileage.