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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  Poor dealer service - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Rob Erb - May 2 - 11:36 pm

  The vehicle itself is fantastic, very quick and the 6 speed manual is the only way to go. It has a bit of a rough ride and a very low profile but is an exceptional piece of work. Beware of the wide turn radius on u-turns or in garages, it is more work than my last SUV. The bi-xenon headlights were adjusted wrong and it took me 3 days at the dealership to get it right, now I can actuially see at night.

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  Mostly great! - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By WSB - April 30 - 10:06 am

  This is our 6th Volvo, but not necessarily our favorite. While the XC90 provides seating options that our V70 wagons and S70 and S80 sedans could not provide, the 2.5T engine is clearly underpowered for the weight of this vehicle. Gas mileage is POOR and would have been worse if we had chosen the V8. We love the safety features of this vehicle. It handles well and is roomy enough for our passengers--- mostly children.

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  Hating the payments - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By poor man Rey - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Way too many electrical problems for a car of this status. I did just had a wreck which was my fault. 20 mile/hr and did little damage to my car. Only killed one of my side panels if that tells you anything but absolutely destroyed the poor domestic car in front of me. My damages totaled 11,000!!! I was told that if my air bags deployed that would cost me an addition 5,000 to reinstall. I love my car and think that it is the sexiest set of wheels on the road. Boy but am I ready to finish up with these payments.

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  v70s great - 2001 Volvo V70
  By gman - April 28 - 10:03 pm

  car drives like and suv and performs like a sports car handles well at high speeds and does well off road.the looks are very manly and the inside very womanly. the ground clearance is very high and better than most pickups. interior comfort is very good and the noise level inside is very low. the stero is excellant with the safty features be best around.

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  Made From Volvonium - 2006 Volvo S40
  By bbradley - April 26 - 10:10 pm

  I bought the S40 T5 "slightly used" at the beginning of the year; it never let me down once. The car looks cool without being flashy and the interior is smartly designed. It just plain runs and is sturdy as an ox. It even has above-average pickup for such a tiny 4-door packed with so many options. Unfortunately, 10 months later due to some questionable road conditions I got intimate with a concrete wall. The Volvo wasnt exactly indestructible-- the entire drivers side was smashed in. I was a bit smashed in myself, but thankfully nothing permanent. Im convinced that the Volvo saved my life. Im driving a clunker today, but you can bet that Ill be a Volvo customer for life.

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  Superior performance..excessive troubles - 2001 Volvo V70
  By volvojapan - April 25 - 11:30 am

  I bought this volvo a year ago. The engine performance, styling, and comfort is like no other. However, I have had too many problems...suspension parts, rubber bushings, brake booster, light bulbs, turn signal relay switch have been replaced in a 12 month period. My previous Toyota 4runner I drove for 5 years and not one single problem. I had the opportunity to drive a Toyota while my Volvo was being repaired and I will say that even with the constant little troubles, the Volvos ride, performance, and craftsmanship are way above the Japanese and American cars I have owned in the past. Conclusion....even with the little problems, I still love my Volvo.

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  2007 Volvo V50 T5 - 2007 Volvo V50
  By Frank C - April 21 - 9:06 am

  Volvo follows a distinct car philosophy which is not to everyones taste. If you like Volvos approach to design, handling, and safety the V50 is a great choice over any small SUV. We compared the V50 to station wagons from BMW, VW, Audi, and Subaru. The BMW 3 series and Audi A4, while nice, were quite a bit more expensive. The Passats drive train (2.0l 4 cylinder turbo) was uncompetitive. The Subaru felt tinny. In sum, the V50 offered the best compromise between performance and price.

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  Just bought the T6 AWD XC-90 - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By LoriRayna - April 17 - 2:00 am

  We compared this car with the Lexus RX330. Both were great. The Lexus has better luxury features and the Volvo is more rugged. Unfortunately, Lexus couldnt touch Volvos price. I do like the car and it is fun to drive, but for the high price of the car, it would be nice to have the upgraded luxuries as standard. Add a towing hitch,running boards, or navigation and get ready to pay pretty penny. Running boards alone=$850. Also, turbo chargers make a loud whistling noise which dealer says is unavoidable.

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  The car I want to love - 2001 Volvo C70
  By samp - April 15 - 10:00 am

  What a gorgeous car! The largest and most comfortable interior of all. Unfortunately it is in the shop about every 4-6 weeks. From doors that pop open while driving, interior parts coming unstitched/falling off, seats that dont work, cheap interior materials, check engine light that malfunctions - the list goes on. Volvo and my dealer have been very helpful and accommodating in repairing the vehicle, plus always suppling a loaner car. Every time I get excited about the car,it needs repairs. This is the most expensive car I have ever purchased and the only one that has ever gone into the shop for warranty repairs. I dont know how much longer this beautiful automobile will grace my garage.

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  Nice family car - 1999 Volvo V70
  By Aaron B - April 15 - 10:00 am

  W ebought used and naw have 49K miles. There were definitely some significant electrical problems at first, but buyers should be aware that a recall has addressed this issue (at least for me). We have also experienced the ignition problems noted by others. Otherwise, a very nice alternative to a minivan for your family automobile.