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:

• 

  The Best Family Wagon You Can Buy - 2004 Volvo V70
  By John Davis - December 19 - 2:00 am

  I leased a 1998 V70 when it first entered the market. Since then, Ive leased another 2000 V70, and just this past October, I leased a redesigned 2004 V70. My current V70 is by far the best V70 yet. Not only is it more luxurious, but it is larger, more useful, and feels safer to drive. I feel more comfortable in this car than ever before. And it is worry free; everything is easy to use and maintin.

• 

  Our Second Volvo - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Tankjr1996 - December 18 - 8:33 pm

  We also own a 90 240DL (175K mi). I bought this car with 45K mi for $14,900 as a lease return from NC. The ride is tight but not rough. It handles great and feels VERY solid. No problems yet except for a loose radio knob. Even with 80K on it, it still wholesales for $10K. All in all Im glad I bought it.

• 

  Underrated and under appreciated - 1998 Volvo S70
  By 1S701 - December 14 - 11:20 pm

  Simply put this vehicle is up to the task. I purchased it in 2000 and performed zero maintenance until it was paid for. (4 years). Currently, I replaced almost everything except body parts. That being said this vehicle has over 3 hundred thousand miles and is unbelievably quick. I have run up with 09 Mercedes "C" class of course with ease. So if you can perform your own maintenance thats a plus since most people are absent to how to work on Volvos and you will lose your shirt if you dont have repair skills. Happy driving.

• 

  Lots of problems along the way - 1998 Volvo S70
  By Mercedes/next - December 13 - 10:00 am

  In general I like the car. However, I have had some problems....frequent bulb changes, three batteries (battery just goes dead, replace it and it is fine for 1.5 to 2 years and then it goes again, leather on all inside door panel is puckered (Volvo refuses to repair even though this is clearly their responsibility), wears tires very quickly, problems early on with the brakes. Handles well. I would probably not purchase another Volvo because of Volvos arrogance in not agreeeing to repair the problem with the glue on the inside door panels. Dealer very difficult to deal with and not customer friendly.

• 

  Dont think Id buy another one. - 2002 Volvo S60
  By ratcher - December 13 - 10:00 am

  This car is fine for someone who rarely transports more than one passenger unless the backseat is for kids. It drives well on all kinds of roads. The interior layout is okay; the stereo system is confusing and a pain to use. They needed to add a changer for the component as well as station/track on the steering wheel. The airconditioning system is also confusing. Blind spots make backing out an adventure, though the flip down rear head rests are helpful. The battery is nearly inaccessible in the trunk (you must hold the trunk floor up with your head to access it), though a jump point is located underneath the hood. Pricey for the quality of the car.

• 

  A little pricey, IMHO. - 2001 Volvo S40
  By Tom in Nor Cal - December 10 - 2:00 am

  Overall its been a reliable, fun little car. Ive read some of the horror stories from other reviews, I havent experienced any of these. I bought the S40 and a Cross Country the same day. Volvo of Pleasanton, CA has a great sales stff but go elsewhere for service, trust me! The only problem Ive had with the car is the shift-lock mechanism getting stuck.

• 

  Bad Bad Tires! - 2001 Volvo S60
  By confussed veteran - December 5 - 2:00 am

  I owned a 240 dl,850,940,andloved them all!I thought the s60 would be a step up!I love the bodystyle,heated seats,& gadgets.But there is a HUGE problem with the car,it haslow profile tires!5 blow out/flats in 1.5years!I beleive this is directly related to the wheel base size and the tire size.In my total driving experience with a volvo I have never had a flat or blow out! I fear this is a serious design flaw and would warn anyone about purchasing the car with the low profile tires on it! They are very expensive and replacing the tires is making me have a bad taste in my mouth with a company I have loved for so long.

• 

  Frequent Service - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Sad volvo owner - December 4 - 9:20 pm

  Second volvo to own. Other was turbo S80. Both required frequent servicing. The S80 become costly after the warranty period. I was happy that I did not purchase the extended warranty because most of the problems were not covered or I used up the time before reaching the mileage. We are now located in Houston and recently their service is not user friendly. At least in St. Louis, the service was user friendly. Frequent service but user friendly. Service problems in this XC90 included the transmission needing replacement, the Turbo needing service and then multiple small electronic issues. I guess the Swedes havent mastered computers yet. With only 28K, looking for a new vehicle!

• 

  2006 XC90 2.5T - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Pirates - December 4 - 4:43 pm

  Great SUV. Enjoy driving and great for long trips. We test drove the BMW X5 but decided the Volvo XC90 was a great SUV for about $10,000 less. More cargo room, very safe, but needs a little bit more horespower but helps in gas savings (takes regular gas) compared to the X5.

• 

  2006 Volvo XC90 AWD V8 4dr SUV (ocean) - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By socaltess - December 2 - 1:06 pm

  Got this car for thousands off because I bought it in 2007 when it was a 2006 model, but it was new. Very happy with the looks outside and inside. After a 5 months I had some problems, some anti-skid message that kept coming up, they said it was a computer problem but it happened twice. Possibly due to extremely horrible speed bumps where I live the car began making weird clicks when the gas/brakes were pressed; brake pads, alignment, sub-frame, etc all needed work. Right window makes whistling noise. DVD system headphones sound fuzzy sometimes. Very fast for an SUV, and I always feel safe.