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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  Luxury, Safety for less - 2000 Volvo S40
  By mjm66 - August 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car the first month that it became available in the US. It has been a reliable, quality car during this time. The headlights did burn out rather soon (but only require a new bulb that dealership gives away). I got the winter/leather package and this has made all the difference. Heated seats and traction control make it a great winter car, turbo and nice wheels/tires make it a great driving car too. Priced against the Audi A4 and BMW 3 series, this was a much better deal.

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  OOPS - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By john perkowski - August 12 - 2:00 am

  Good long distance runner, very good front seats. optional 18 tires(MXV) POOR in snow and worn out in 18K mi. T6 engine needs a five spd., Four spd auto is a mis-match. Very conveient rear hatch design. Needs a larger fuel tank. Great brakes. Love the styling, outside shape. Overall for the money, keep looking.

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  great car to drive - 2006 Volvo S40
  By Oleander - July 30 - 9:10 am

  This car hits the sweet spot for me: powerful due to 5 cylinder turbo (plus I have stick shift), fuel efficient, reliable and good looking. Now my issue is to keep it running forever because they are no longer selling the stick shift. I also have 4WD which is helfpul when it snows.

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  Solid & Reliable - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Brian - July 30 - 5:03 am

  Solid, reliable car with no perks. Its never quit on me, but that darn check engine light has been on nearly the whole time Ive had the car. Apparently Im not the only one this happens to. Timeless, classic style holds up well, and the 10yr old interior still looks like new. Nice trunk space and good room for 4 Americans(I think you know what I mean). Its not called "The Brick" for nothing.

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  Solid Car - 2003 Volvo S60
  By Nikki - July 25 - 11:33 pm

  I am on my third volvo and they have maintained their high level of quality. I continue to be impressed with the comfort and useability of the interior. The performance is lacking the oomph that many newer cars have. Great highway gas mileage (I get around 36 MPG highway). The backseat is lacking leg room, but is comfortable with two adults, three is a squeeze. I recommend Volvo to those looking for a comfortable, reliable car.

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  Great little car - 2000 Volvo S40
  By GaVolvo - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Ive put about 34K on my S40 in the 3 years Ive had it. I have had very few problems and those were handled by the dealership. They replaced both the headlamps when one went out. The brakes made it to 25K - and were inexpensive to fix at the dealership. Gas mileage in the city is 24mpg. The hubcap centerpieces kept popping out, but Volvo fixed that. Its been a great little car.

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  Disappointed - 1998 Volvo S70
  By STL - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Purchased this certified used Volvo with 35k miles. While fun to drive, reliability issues have plagued me since purchase. A/C required over $1000 of repairs, windshield washers stopped working; check engine light appears and disappears weekly. The antenna motor is louder than the engine. Add in the starting problem which the dealer cannot diagnose along with fighting with the dealership to honor the warranty and you will understand why I will never buy another Volvo.

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  Pulls Left but great in the snow! - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By Busbart - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I basically love the car but I have a real problem with the car pulling to the left. The first time I compained to the dealer, the put air in the tires. The second time, they charged me for an alignment. The third time, they said they noticed no problem. There is definately a problem. Im building muscles in my left hand and calling my lawyer with my right.

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  Love it, hate it, love it, hate it - 2001 Volvo V70
  By A driver in East TN - July 22 - 1:40 am

  This is my first non-Honda/Acura vehicle, and likely my last. I bought it used less than 3 years ago, and since then it seems as though something or another is constantly breaking: ABS module ($900); outside temperature sensor; turbo boost sensor; body and interior hardware; a/c blower; fuses blowing; you name it. I love the comfort, the looks and the cargo room, but its wearing me out.

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  Volvo - 2010 Volvo XC70
  By zakwilliams - July 11 - 5:10 pm

  I have had this car for a little bit now, and love every thing about it! i have heard that they have some problems but mine has held up fine. This car is amazing off road and in the snow. i live near Lake Tahoe and wile other cars and trucks were stuck in last years big snow storm my car just kept trucking along like there was no snow at all! heck iI was even able to pull my friend out of the now when all f the roads where absolutely covered in ice. and let me tell you when his car is not small at all. so if you are looking for a car that can get you there safely in any and i mean ANY type of weather this will be he car for you!