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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  never again - 1999 Volvo S80
  By ADF - September 8 - 11:00 pm

  I have had a love/hate relationship with my S80. Beautiful styling, best seats in the business, great 8 speaker stereo. LOUSY reliability, Paid $15,000.00 at 5yrs old and 37,000 miles. Noisy front end, repairing strut mounts twice, engine mount, ball joints, rear shocks, broken fuel line in the tank, ABS speed sensor failure, repairs too numerous to remember. Cost of ownership is way too high with every repair costing $1000.00 or more each time. Volvo has proprietary software diagnostics which requires you take it to a Volvo dealer every or most every time. Its simply too unreliable and costly to own. Too bad, it is a top of the line car. SHAME on Volvo for the poor engineering.

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  Initial Experience - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Dukem - September 4 - 2:00 am

  Responsive acceleration, but not mean to be a performance sport car; excellent all-around value in terms of features and price compared to competitors.

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  The best SUV! - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Hacky - September 4 - 2:00 am

  The SUV that handles like a car. IMO a better ride than that of the MDX. The XC90 is the best combination of space, safety and practicality. If you need the huge space of a minivan, you should get a minivan. However, minivans do not provide the sense, real or imagined, of security that one gets driving the XC90. The third row fold-away seats are awesome, designed to be safe for kids, big enough for smaller adults on shorter trips. Better design than the Lexus 3rd row. With the 5-speed tranny this engine is smooth and it feels much bigger than it is. Better for stop and go driving than the T6 with the 4-speed tranny. That being said, a few more horsies wouldnt hurt.

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  V70 Very safe - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Yope - August 31 - 1:53 pm

  I recently got in quite a nasty accident with my 98 v70 wagon; and boy was I lucky to be in this car than any other... The guys that hit me were both taken to the hospital, and I did not even have a scratch on me.. The Volvo was total loss unfortunately. So safety is definitely my favorite thing about Volvo. Other nice features are sturdiness on the highway, and reliability.

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  No better wagon for the $ - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Rick Stadler - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Ive been driving this wagon for almost 3 years and still love it. Its fast, responsive looks great and hauls a bunch of stuff (or 7 people with the 3rd row). Its still a solid ride, never been in the shop for anything other than regular maintenance. Cup holder lost its spring and original 17" tires (too loud) swapped for Michelin Pilots. Its only fair competition is the BMW and MB wagon (at least another $10K more). No mini-van or SUV comes close in terms of value, style, performance. In response to previous comment on 01 wagon being a "jerry-rigged Ford" ...Ford bought Volvo in 99 when the new model was already at the auto shows.

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  fun but slow - 2001 Volvo S60
  By william newman - August 27 - 7:56 am

  As an accident reconstructionist, safety is #1. Volvo has always been the leader and thats why I drive one. Volvos build quality is always 1 step up from most. Our 60 was used but certified with an extended warranty. The standard motor is adequate but not much acceleration. But it makes up for it in fuel economy 30mpg. The ride is a bit stiff. Would not recommend for long trips. Volvo replaced the transmission at 48k but it only cost of 50.00. I wouldnt buy any vehicle without an extended warranty. Volvo for at least part of my life.....

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  Disappointed... - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Mark Blum - August 24 - 10:00 am

  Purchased the Volvo after considering several other LUVs. After 3 weeks, Im not sure Id buy another one. It lacks some of the "creature comforts" found in Lexus and Acura and its not as fun to drive as you might expect from the T6 version. The XC90 has a much harsher ride than Id expect from an LUV in this category. Get the wood wheel, its more comfortable to drive.

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  S80-T6 - 2000 Volvo S80
  By paulin - August 16 - 10:00 am

  Overall the car is a great ride when it is working properly. I have had several problems w/ the suspension and struts and it has been a pain to fix since I purchased the vehicle in Baton Rouge and I live in New Orleans. The local dealership puts you at the end of the line to get anything repaired since the vehicle was not purchased there. This vehicle is overpriced and I would not recommend buying a new Volvo.

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  good car but expensive to keep - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Anonymous - August 16 - 2:00 am

  i bought this car this past summer with 144xxx miles on it but when i bought it the motor was gone so i got a good deal on it, i bought a motor for $3000 with 70xxx miles and first it ran great but then one of the turbos quit. the transmission has ever been an issue for me but this car is very expensive to keep it only gets about 8 mpg but it rides nice so i guess its not too bad

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  I like it - 2009 Volvo V50
  By eugene - August 12 - 11:36 am

  The car drives wonderfully. Its my first new car, and I am quite happy with my decision. So far, no problems; but then again, Ive only got 2000 miles on the car. Back seat is a little tight, if youve got tall folks in the front seat. Having cargo room is great, and the size of the vehicle is perfect for New York City. Sometimes I look out the window at my car parked outside, and watch pedestrians admiring the car as they walk past. The car is definitely a head-turner. The BMWs and Audis are way too common here.