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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  Piece of junk - 2004 Volvo S60
  By DZwink - February 5 - 11:43 pm

  We bought our Volvo when we decided to start a family due to the safety reputation. My sister had owned three, one of which saved her life in a wreck, and had also managed to put 300,000 miles on one without incident. Ours is now about to go in the shop for the third time in two months. It has had three parts in the fuel system fail so far with Volvo comping me on one due to my less than pleased opinion of the car so far. Ive never had this many problems with a car before. I wont be buying another one. Makes me wish I had bought the Infiniti or Volkswagen I was looking at instead of this.

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  Good Lord - 2005 Volvo S60
  By My 3 Rs - February 5 - 2:30 am

  After having two 850 Rs 96 /97 thinking that what more does one need for style and performance, until I purchased the 2006 S60 R. Got all the added features. Most fun Ive had in driving in years. Just a fantastic car. I have had several people tell me its sexy looking. Mostly women thankfully. Have left a M3 in the review mirror, jaw dropping. How cool the feeling. People complain in reviews about the back seat room. I dont want anyone back there anyway. Dont need the added weight to slow me down. Ok the turning is limited, but who cares. I looking ahead to passing the unexpected. Got the 18 rims and boday package, very aggressive looking. Its BAD!!

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  V40 is a disappointment - 2000 Volvo V40
  By NHDriver - February 4 - 7:53 am

  Used for highway driving primarily, this vehicle has not performed well, interior is not forgiving, & bulbs go out frequently. VERY expensive to maintain - and other owners of this model seem to agree.

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  Love at first sight - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By Wesley Tarner - February 4 - 1:08 am

  I absolutely love this car and would buy it a million times again. The seats are very comfortable and plush. The leather doesnt hold up as well as some others but its still comfortable. My Volvo lasted around 200,000k and then broke down. Had regularly maintained it, but it needed alot of work done to get it up and running again so i had top part with it. But i am looking for a newer one because i loved it soo much! I would recommend this car 9/10 (lost a point due to a few quirks such as low-tech compared to competition and also the common transmission issues).

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  I wish Id kept my C30 - 2013 Volvo S60
  By raindances - February 2 - 12:57 pm

  Well, where do I start. Lets do the good stuff: I love the interior, it is comfortable. The freeway ride quality is great. It is fairly quiet on good road surfaces. Now the bad stuff: Had an a/c problem with a pressure relief valve. Took 4 visits to resolve even though it is a known issue. Had a bad fuel pump, causing hard starting from cold. Took 4 visits to resolve even though it is a known issue. Have a steering wobble at speeds around 40mph. This is "normal" according to Volvo. Engine surges and is jerky in any gear and at any speed. This is "normal" according to Volvo. Transmission experiences a delay engaging first gear when pulling away from a stop. This results in a jerk.

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  Love at first drive - 2004 Volvo C70
  By Dan Tetirick - February 2 - 2:00 am

  Sitting behind the wheel of a C70 is a return to the pure pleasure of driving. Driving this vehicle allows me to counterbalance the fast pace of other aspects of my life. I have never previously owned a Volvo. I hope the love affair continues well into the future.

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  volvo for life - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By rwallace - February 2 - 2:00 am

  fun to drive, relaxing larger than I thought good gas mileage if you dont have a lead foot. feels very safe on slippery roads

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  Vail Pass at 85 MPH, W/ Nelly thumping!! - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By VailVolvo - February 1 - 3:13 pm

  OK, I have no kids yet I have a soccer mom car. I had an Infinity QX-4 and it was great, but I was in for a change and a car from Japan was not going to be it, ergo the VOLVO XC90 w T6 and Premium sound. I live in Vail and blast back and forth from Vail to Denver a lot. 2 passes, windy roads, lots of snow and ice and I couldnt be happier. The manual option for the trans is key to making it up the passes fast, I am never passed (unless it is icy and some tourist with a cowboy hat on in his rented SUV thinks he has crampons for tires) The stereo is awesome and the creature comforts are all there. My wife has the Cross Country and both are outstanding. Sorry to all those who hate theirs!

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  The Best Volvo Car - 2000 Volvo V70
  By diemrtei[ - February 1 - 10:00 am

  The best Volvo car with fantastic value.

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  V70 T5 - 1998 Volvo V70
  By 70rsz28 - February 1 - 10:00 am

  This car is a sleeper.. very fast and handles very well. I just accumulates milage too fast!