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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  our perfect safe car - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By joseph f konkolics - December 17 - 10:00 am

  driving our grandchildren in our XC90 puts our mind at ease knowing that their being transported in a safe vehicle. I read that the XC90 is "safer than sitting on grandmas lap, and whoever said that speaks the truth. we love our XC90

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  xc90 - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By sdath - December 17 - 10:00 am

  Excellent SUV. Only real down-side is the mileage, avg. 15 mpg

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  Massive Mistake - 2007 Volvo V50
  By krgrimes - December 16 - 5:36 pm

  I begged my husband to trade in my 99 4Runner for a more stable vehicle on the highway so he got me an 07 Volvo V50. Took it on the highway and it was amazing, but then I started to notice little noises you wouldnt expect to hear in a "luxury" vehicle. Had the tires and rear brakes replaced and it got quieter but there is still noise. It is starting to get really hot in NC so Im using my A/C frequently, that is of course when the compressor wants to work. Today I put my key in the ignition and the car "immobilized" because it thought I was trying to steal my own car. On top of the grinding noise in my front wheel bearings I now have electrical problems! Do not buy one!

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  XC90 Transmission Nightmares - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By idealltg - December 16 - 7:33 am

  My 05 T6 XC90 has already had three transmissions replaced. Lucky for me its all under warranty but based on the frequency of the problem Im afraid that the new transmission will fail after my warranty has expired. Looks like the only solution for my problem, since I cannot use the lemon law, will be to get rid of this thing as soon as I get it back. The dealer has had it now for two weeks. They cant figure out why the new transmission went out after only one week!

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  DER PANZER WAGEN - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Grimshaw - December 15 - 11:43 am

  With this economy I went from a 05 Jag XJ8L (repoed) to a bicycle to this car. I bought this car 3 months ago. I gotta say, I dont miss the jag that much! This tank could use some more power and my friend says it drives like a golf cart but I dig it. Ran into the heaviest rain Ive ever seen in Jacksonville and handled like a dream. Made a couple of 7 hour trips to Charleston from Florida and it was great. City driving is good too, although it is really loud. The odometer is broken ($300 to fix)but the dealership can still get the mileage from the computer. All and all Im really pleased with this ride and Im going to be driving it for a long time or at least till the economy comes back!

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  One of the best! - 2006 Volvo V70
  By Phil Corray - December 14 - 6:26 am

  Easily one of the best cars I have ever driven! I am an enthusiast who has owned and driven everything. If youre to buy this car, youre getting $65,000 of quality for 40. If youre the kind of person who likes to have something that is all about quality and also shows complete thoughtfulness without wanting to impress anyone but yourself, this is the car for you. Its a car that can easily be put on a track and later cart your wife, kids and the dog home as well.

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  Best car I have ever owned - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By glennzwif - December 12 - 4:10 pm

  Hands down this is the best car that I have ever owned. From the day I drove it off the lot, I havent had one complaint (which is rare!). It hugs the road even in our snowy New Hampshire winter, has made it easily through the slippery mountains of Vermont when others couldnt, and last weekend we drove it to Quebec in a blizzard and it handled great. My husband is a pretty big guy (64" and about 240) and he is extremely comfortable. Couldnt be happier with my purchase.

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  Never Again - 2008 Volvo C70
  By bruceko1 - December 11 - 9:37 am

  I purchased this car used with about 22k miles on it. It now has 36k miles. Its been in the shop twice to fix a front wheel/hub issue that impacted braking function and a third time to replace A/C compressor. A/C still doesnt work correctly and now check engine light is on. Ive owned 50 plus vehicles before this one. Ive never had a vehicle that required so much time in the shop. So 4 times in the shop in 14,000 miles. Cant wait for the next 14. Ill be dumping this pc of junk before the warranty expires.

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  bye Volvo - 1998 Volvo V70
  By little_blaine - December 10 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car new in 1998 for almost $40000 including a third row seat, taxes etc. Im about to trade it in for $5000 (if Im lucky). The repairs that this car has needed are incredible - leaks from everywhere, shot turbocharger, A/C, broker power locks, busted ABS, "Check Engine" light on constantly, failed inspection multiple times, burns lights, brakes and tires very quickly. The car is luxurious and rides well, and handles excellently in bad weather. However, given all the problems, I would never buy a volvo again.

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  A great SUV! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By xuan liu - December 10 - 10:00 am

  This is a truely great SUV, the best I have ever had!