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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  It - 2000 Volvo S80
  By shakeitup - August 11 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned more than 4 new Volvos I purchase my 2000 S80 used becaused the S80 new seemed a bit over priced. The 2000 S80 seems a bit noisy (excessive wind noise) at highway speed), not to sure about the transmission it behave "quirky". I am concerned about the longivity of this car. All my other Volvos I was able put at least 250000 miles without any problems

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  great ride, expensive maintenace - 1999 Volvo S70
  By Robbie - August 8 - 9:30 am

  Bought this car used with 79,000 miles on it. My wife and I love this car at first. The ride was far above other sedans we had driven. Even the standard 5 cyl. has good pickup and can really go at high speeds. We love the look and design as well. The maintenance has been a different story. When I bought the car it only had one owner before me and the service manual was beautiful all stamped by cert. volvo. I felt good when I left the lot. Not 1 week went by and window switch went out ($200). Next it was a vacuum thing ($200). We kept up with the maintenance as well which is average $400 a pop. 2 oxy sensors ($500) and a/c evap. ($1000). Sold vehicle in 2006. great drive not reliable

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  Wont Go Back! (To other makes of cars) - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Volvo Family - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Bought car after driving a Volvo rental. Just loved it. The car just wants to be driven! Its been in for service for minor things and did get the software updated which solved alot of computer messages. This was first year for this new body style/model and there were some bugs to get out. Ive been driving it over a year and have taken it halfway across the country and back (among other, shorter trips) and have never been so comfortable as I have in this car.

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  Quality Car w/Qwerky Electronics - 1999 Volvo S70
  By VOVO - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Im very happy with how the car has performed except for a few very minor electrical problems. The engine coolant level sensor failed. A false warning light is illuminated on the dash. A fragile gear in power mirror broke. I was disappointed to find out the gear can only be ordered with the mirror motor for several hundred dollars. I put the battery on a charger, which caused the climate control system to generate a fault. Everything reset itself after I restarted the car. No one makes repair manuals for this year Volvo. This is not the car for the DIYer. Electronic manuals are sold by Volvo on an annual subscription basis at an exorbitant cost.

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  Urgent Transmission Service Required - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By viking - August 6 - 10:00 am

  We waited six months for it. With 200 miles on the odometer, taking daughter to school, my wife had to call Volvo roadside assistance due to sudden sluggishness follwed by a dashboard message "Urgent Transmission Service Required." The dealer had the car for 4 days, and flew in a Volvo master tech to fix the problem - bad solenoid that locks in gears. Dealership never heard of problem, but one of the salesman heard that it had happened in a handful of other XC90s with low mileage. Aside from this early problem, we love the stylish exterior, the comfy interior, the practical seating, the decent soundsystem.

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  Best car Ive ever owned, minor problems - 2000 Volvo S80
  By swsteckly - July 30 - 10:00 am

  This car is, bar none, the most fun car Ive ever driven. The combination of the good handling, lots of power, and immense interior comfort all add up the the best driving experience ever. Ive had a few issues, with this car I purchased at 44000 miles (with Certified warranty plan). The radiator fan controller stopped working, the sunroof mechanism needed minor repairs, and the front brakes needed repair. There were all kinds of sundry items that needed to be repaired (trim panels, stuff like that), but that is true with any used car. The problems were solved quickly and efficently by my dealer. I would wholeheartedly reccomend this car.

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  Three shortcomings on 2004 Volvo V70 - 2004 Volvo V70
  By Florida tennisplayer - July 30 - 10:00 am

  My Volvo V70s worst, and potentially dangerous feature, is the tilt of the windshield. The top of the windshield is reflected in the window, making it very, very difficult to see the road when the sun hits the windshield at a certain angle. Second worst feature is the curve of the hood which does not permit the driver to see where the car ends. The hood just disappears and you have no idea how much room there is between the front of the car (or the right hand side of the car) and a wall or other object. These two items represent very poor design. Thirdly, on several occasions the car doors locked accidentally while driving.

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  Great feel for the money - 2007 Volvo S40
  By joe - July 28 - 3:40 pm

  This car has been a pleasure since driving out of the dealership. Feel of quality inside and out. My last car was a bmw 325 and this has more comfort and room not to mention a better price. I have the 2.4 Which has adequate acceleration but if your looking for a little more getup go with the higher hp engine. Feels similar to the audi a4 as far as handling and inside space, with also a much better price tag. Controls were simple to use and everything has elegant simplicity about it. Go with the premium sound system.

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  Jury is Still Out - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By aniemyer - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I have driven SUVs since buying an Explorer in June, 1990, one of the first. In the first two weeks I put 2100 miles and significant off-road duty on our 2004, where it kept up with a Chevy Silverado 2500. Two days after that trip the engine surged a few times, steadied out, then died after one more in-town trip. 5 days and a 360 mile round trip to the dealer, its back after having the plastic air induction shroud replaced for cracking along the seam. (and a hassel over a loaner from the dealership, which was resolved). We are worried that we now have a lemon on our hands and a 2+ hour drive one-way to and from the dealership.

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  A great and comfortable family hauler - 1997 Volvo 960
  By ivorytickler - July 23 - 6:08 pm

  Weve owned Volvo for years, and traded a 1988 740 Turbo for our current 1997 960 in September 2001. Our current mileage is 169,000, and other than routine maintenance, our car has been reliable, comfortable and trouble-free. Yes, the plastic interior bits do tend to fall off and the sunroof leaks, but the cars long-distance comfort, safety, and high spec make it an ideal purchase for those on a budget who desire a safe, solid and agile vehicle. The key is to find a good mechanic who specializes and let him look after the maintenance. Running costs are much less than a Mercedes or BMW. We average 20mpg city/26 hwy. The 98 V70 is the same car, and the last year for this body style.