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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  Great car S70 - 2000 Volvo S70
  By Sean - December 12 - 11:23 pm

  I bought this car with just over 100K on it. Being my first Volvo I was unsure how it would hold up. I am pleasantly surprised, what a great car! Ive put over 10K miles on it and it just purrs. Went to synthetic oil and min. 91 octane gas my mpg is 25.2 / 34. The 5 speed shfits smooth and likes to shift around 4K on the tac., a very solid car. Im 62" tall and fit easily, but I dont think Id like to long in the back seat, a bit tight back there.

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  European Disappointment - 2001 Volvo V70
  By sailon - December 12 - 6:06 am

  Expected Volvo lifetime, got Ford reliability. Well known transmission problem as listed on web, tailgate lift springs both shot, replaced top torque motormount after I could see daylight thru it, all rubber bushings in the suspension replaced after 85000 miles. Might be sophisticated European engineering, but LOUSY execution and parts quality. I will probably take the seats out and use them to watch TV in in my living room, and scrap the car. STAY away from this pile of junk.

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  Almost did not happen - 2010 Volvo XC70
  By Ben Makowski - December 9 - 2:30 pm

  We were looking for a weekend hauler for our Golden Retrievers and were all set to pick up a new Outback. Over the weekend waiting for the Subaru to arrive for delivery I was on line and saw the XC70 and then saw the amazing deals on this amazing wagon. Monday morning first thing went to Capital Volvo and told them about the Subaru and then asked them to show me why I should change my mind and all I had to do was simply drive this car, no comparison at all the subaru, it excelled in every aspect. It is more "premium feeling and so far we have had only 2 weeks but are very happy of our purchase. Me and my "significant other" both drive new MBs but we argue who gets to drive the Volvo.

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  Beauty lasts so long - 2002 Volvo S60
  By omid - December 9 - 1:46 pm

  The car rides comfortably. The seat grabs your body and makes for great long trips. The exterior is well designed. The trunk is full of space and Ive moved several times with the car. Rear passengers are really comfortable. The two plugs are great. Other than that the car is a pain. Things that shouldnt ever go bad, go bad on the model. Ive changed the brake booster and front suspension and O2 sensor. It would have been nice if the O2 sensor had lasted a bit long. The repairs are really pricey too. The stock stereo is plagued, either the speakers blow easily or the stereo gets tired of your music. My heart wants a new Volvo but my mind knows a reliable cheaper to fix car might be better.

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  Noise Problem - 2006 Volvo S40
  By jn - December 9 - 7:13 am

  The car has 7,000 miles on it and has developed a noise in the drive train. Volvo has replaced the tranny, the clutch, the shocks, the motor mounts and the axles. They now say that the sound is normal!

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  Volvo Victim - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Mike - December 8 - 11:20 pm

  Like the safety, reliability and flexibility of the wagon. Have had no problems with the engine. Within the past year have had to replace oxygen sensor, ABS module, PCV valve, radiator, etc. Maintained normal maintenance schedule throughout ownership. Has 134,000 miles, but parts and service are very expensive to maintain the vehicle. Am in the process of selling due to that fact.

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  06 V70 2.5T - 2006 Volvo V70
  By Mr Vette - December 8 - 5:16 am

  I purchased this car used in March. The fuel economy is not too bad compairable to my 97 Honda Accord. Interior comfort is a little lacking. Performace is good. May buy a used 08 next year if it is more comfortable inside. Car has nav system. I hate it, gets on my nerves! 3rd row seat is also useless

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  Hell Yeah! - 2001 Volvo S80
  By DavinK - December 7 - 11:13 pm

  I recently purchased a used 2001 S80T6 and have been nothing but pleased with the car. My only complaints are that it could benefit from AWD and a 5 or 6 speed transmission. The manumatic transmission it has is still good and fun to use though. It has been well maintained and only accumulated an average of 9k miles per year. I previously owned a 98 S70 T5 and that car was enough for me to trust the reliability and quality that Volvo provides, the S70 has over 200k miles and still going! All it takes is following Volvos regularly scheduled maintenance.

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  Not reliable at all! - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Lorraine - December 3 - 11:13 pm

  I love the ride but it has died in the middle of a busy intersection twice. It had to be towed back to the dealership and they replaced the fuel pump and we are waiting to see what they think it is this time. The drivers side beam has had to be replaced twice. The DVD system works intermittently. I thought Volvos were supposed to be dependable and safe. I have a 3 year old and I am going to have to get something else unfortunately.

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  Not so Reliable after all - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Ian - December 2 - 6:13 pm

  I had always heard Volvos were reliable Safe cars and I came across one and decided to buy it because it was a good value for that price. Its really the most luxurious vehicle you can get for the price. There were many issues from the start for me. First the interior started to fall apart and that wasnt any fun because the prices for parts are ridiculous. Eventually my entire motor blew because Volvo decided that A plastic radiator hose was appropriate for a $55,000 vehicle and it broke off and blew the entire engine. Basically It is a very nice, fun, comfortable car to drive, but it is not worth it for the horrible reliability and price of parts that comes with the ownership of this car.