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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  Money pit - 2000 Volvo V70
  By depressed - February 12 - 3:43 pm

  We bought this car 3 months ago and its already in the shop with a blown head gasket (the major problem) and a leaking AWD box, total cost to get our car back is $3,100.00 if they dont find anything else wrong. None of the local import mehcanics could fix the head gasket so we had to have it towed to the nearest Volvo dealership 90 miles away. As soon as we get the car back its getting traded in. Apparently when they get near 100,000 they are no longer dependable and Ive been told to expect between 1,500.00 and 2,500.00 for every repair. Its not worth it. Our passenger side window doesnt work either.

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  Excellent car! - 2005 Volvo XC70
  By tomas007 - February 12 - 5:16 am

  I love the interior of the XC70, and it handles extremely well in rough conditions (specifically with the nice winter we just had!)

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  My fourth Volvo - 2000 Volvo V70
  By Marc - February 11 - 11:53 pm

  ...and my last; hello Toyota!. This car is a disaster, I had a lot of problems from the start: rear axle fell off, blew 3 injectors, catalytic converter, one headlight does not work anymore, driver door cracks, weak air conditioner even after a $2,500 repair, also quite a few false alerts from the check engine light coming on for various defective sensors, and a host of other annoying issues. The Volvo dealers have always this attitude that they are doing you a favor to attend to your car. Also forget about getting an appointment less than a week ahead. The dealer in Hyannis took 3 days to replace one injector (no courtesy car)..

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  I will keep it forever - 1998 Volvo S70
  By ShortCircuit - February 9 - 3:06 am

  This is my 3rd Volvo and its buy far the best to date!! I will always own and drive volvos. The stereo is fantastic and the fuel economy is brilliant. I dont like how the check engine light comes on all the time and im sick of taking it in for decoding so i now just ignore it. Its unbreakable and the engine loves to rev. 350,000 km and still going strong. Lack of cup holders in Aus delivered S70s. VALUE FOR MONEY!!! I love you my Volvo! xx

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  Good car but... - 2005 Volvo S40
  By letodo - February 9 - 2:12 am

  Safety- big win here- got swiped by a Lexus LX trying to get into my lane- nothing but a tiny scratch. Rear ended by a Honda- the front bumper of the Honda was torn off but I only had a small scratch. Performance- no, it is not a BMW 3 series but it does 80% of what the BMW does for $10,000 less (compared with same options). Ride is a bit harsh. Reliability- flawless since I got it... until recently. Ignition switch, engine motor mount, engine speed sensor all failed at once. Parasitic draw from trunk wiring 2 months prior to that. Running costs- expensive (more on that below)

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  Former Volvo Fan - 1998 Volvo V70
  By justsayno - February 8 - 2:00 am

  Purchased used V70 GLT Wagon with 60k miles and I have had nothing but problems. Car even came with all service records. Great to drive, very comfortable and lots of space. BUT car was in the shop FIVE times over an eight month period and I have paid almost $7k in repairs. I am in the process of selling. Volvo (sorry.....Ford) needs to make a more reilable car.

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  Got a good one - 1996 Volvo 850
  By T-luv - February 8 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car in 99 with 57k on it. Now has 150k miles. Had all of the normal problems (brakes, cam sensors, squeaks in dash, bulb burnout, etc.) but these have all been relatively minor. I can never understand why folks take their cars to the dealers for service and get ripped off - find someone else! I fix most things myself so costs have been rather low. Its a solid car that we got for my wife to be safe in. Will probably sell it next year but overall it has been a decent car and well miss it. Probably the best student car out there (safe, durable, not too powerful).

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  Great Car - 1999 Volvo S70
  By Jefster - February 8 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I bought this car because of the safety ratings that volvo was known for. It has been a great car so far. We have has the same types of problems that other owners have had with the electronic system with it being very sensitive. I had to take it to the dealership because the check engine light was on and the reason for the check engine light was because of the gas cap was not fully on. I also had to buy a new cup holder and rear view mirror because I did not grease it.

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  The worst car I ever purchased - 2002 Volvo V40
  By MICHELE - February 6 - 10:00 am

  Every time you turn around there is another problem. My car has been serviced monthly for a variety of problems from AC malfunctioning, to the check engine light, and I am on my forth set of headlights! ENOUGH SAID!

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  V70 T5 Stick - 2001 Volvo V70
  By mercury_62 - February 6 - 10:00 am

  We love this Car, Got all the options! it out handles most sedans and out excelarates most sports cars!