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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  After 24,000 miles... - 2004 Volvo S60
  By GV3 - February 29 - 2:03 am

  ...glad to report this is a great car. I purchased my 2.4 at the end of the 04 model year from my dealers service fleet. In the two years Ive owned it, it has been completely trouble free; the only $ I have spent is on oil changes. Front seat comfort is outstanding, although rear seating is a bit tight. Not a fast car in terms of 0-60 acceleration, but not slow, either; mid-range acceleration when passing or merging is quite good. Ergonomics are terrific. My other car is a BMW 3-series, which frankly is more fun to drive, but the Volvos comfort is the choice of my wife and I for a longer trip. I traded a C-class for the Volvo, and feel we traded up in comfort and reliability.

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  T5 - What A Drive! - 2002 Volvo S60
  By Volvo For Life - February 27 - 2:43 am

  Following a thorough research process including safety, gas mileage, and long term cost of ownership (as compared with the BMW 325, Audi A4, VW Jetta, and Lexus IS300), the Volvo S60 T5 was an obvious choice. At 37K miles it is still every bit a great drive. Exterior styling has details like no chrome or visible radio antenna making for a truly classy profile from any view. The interior follows with plenty of leather, logical controls, two stage heated seats, and plenty of little stowage areas. The engine backs this up with linear and drama-free throttle response. The S60 R is quite a deal as well, but if you want a great substitute for substantially less money, the T5 is not lacking much.

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  The best SUV on the Market - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By CarMan - February 25 - 5:20 pm

  Having driven most of the SUVs on the market, the Volvo XC90 combines safety and comfort with ease of operation and a car like ride. Not only does its design allow for a roomy passenger and cargo compartment but as far as occupant safety there is no comparison with other SUVs on the market today. The vehicle is built on the large sedan platform so it gives you all the advantages of an SUV with the ride of a luxury sedan.

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  HOT & UNIQUE! - 2000 Volvo C70
  By J Jay - February 25 - 2:00 am

  Tired of seeing yourself in every driveway and on every highway? Want a car thats luxurious and hot at the same time? Well, this is it!! Had the car for 3 years and its been GREAT! A much better value vs the CLK, which was $10k more at the time I bought the C70. Volvo blew it when they stopped making the coupe, but I guess that will make it even more unique and desirable in years to come!

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  Finally Its Here - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Boston Driver - February 25 - 2:00 am

  Excellent vehicle to own. Its a pleasure to drive this vehicle.

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  Price Gouging - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Ripped - February 25 - 2:00 am

  Ordered new XC-90 in January. Received notice that now getting 04 model and will be subject to $600 price increase. Volvo knows they have a hot car for once and sticking it to consumer. Dealer unwilling to negotiate any reduction of increase. Volvo jamming all customers with this increase. Also, watch for expensive scheduled service.

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  What Volvo is not telling you about this car. - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By marigold1 - February 24 - 6:09 pm

  I would stay far away from buying another Volvo after everything my family has been through with our 2003 XC90. The engines are not built to work with the transmissions. We have replaced the transmission every 30,000 miles. It has now become a safety issue. It has broken down on me too many times to count. I have dumped almost $12,000 into it. Go look at the service center at your local Volvo dealership. The lot is full of cars needing repairs. We have replaced the transmission 3 times, radiator, shocks, struts, axles, arm bushings...even down to the door handles. Do not make the same mistake we did. It is not a reliable car and I consider it a safety risk to drive.

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  Pretty decent car! - 1999 Volvo V70
  By jb99v70 - February 24 - 4:30 am

  Bought this car in January and its been a pleasure to own. I got it VERY cheap, and all I had to do was put new tires on it and about $700 worth of suspension work. Other than that the car has been pretty much trouble free. No break downs. Check engine light pops up about once a week. But usually goes away. Drivers door window pack isnt working right. A/C works when it wants to. One door doesnt lock and the car seems to think one door is open always. So just removed dinger and light fuses. Tailgate panel still makes noise even with new clips. A couple creaks and rattles. Gas mileage is pretty bad for a wagon. About 14 city 25 highway. But it has been a decent car for the price.

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  Transmission issue - 2004 Volvo V40
  By logiclane - February 21 - 1:20 pm

  I have 37,000 miles on mine, and it has been a great car for highway travel. I too have had the transmission hangup issue, which the dealer was able to diagnose and replace the shift control unit under warranty. I drive on the highway quite a bit, and like the solid, heavy feel of the car without it driving like a tank.

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  Time for something different... - 2000 Volvo S80
  By pamandbrad - February 20 - 10:00 am

  On the plus side, very comfortable vehicle inside, also great looks. Unfortunately, many trips to service dept after only 24k miles for suspension/electrical/ problems mostly. Unacceptable for a 40k+ automobile. I think Ill go back to Japanese cars next.