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:

• 

  C70, Love it - 2000 Volvo C70
  By tzroberts - August 14 - 10:00 am

  I had my doubts about this car when I was first looking, but I took the plunge and bought it and have love every moment of driving it. This is my first non-american car and I dont know if I will ever go back. I put on a huge number of miles every week and in the three months I have had this used car there has not been a single problem.

• 

  Fabulous Car - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Sandra Flaherty - August 13 - 3:46 am

  Ive had my 2000 Volvo S80 T6 for almost five years now and love it (my 1999 was plagued with problems and at the dealers most of the time). Its the most comfortable car Ive owned, and drives and handles like a dream. I know there have been problems so I purchased the extended warranty as I plan to keep the car for at least seven years. My car has been relatively problem-free except for replacing the transmission while under the original warranty--also replacing the "chirping" glove box. The service department at Tacoma Volvo has provided me with outstanding service.

• 

  Love this Car! - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Valerie Cisler - August 12 - 4:33 am

  This has been one of the finest vehicles I have ever owned - and that includes Mercedes. I have so many people who comment on how much they love my car and then cant believe it when I tell them its nine years old. The body style, the lack of any apparent wear, and the still beautiful orginal paint job, all contribute to its appeal. And you cant beat the service department at Volvo dealerships. They are extraordinarily helpful and accommodating. I recommend Volvo to everyone!

• 

  Love My Car - 2015 Volvo XC60
  By J Miller - August 11 - 6:48 am

  I bought the 2015 Volvo XC60 as a demo with low miles about six weeks ago and I really like it. The ride is smooth and fast, and stereo system is crisp. I love the rain sensor, and I really appreciate all the safety features (parking assist, BLIS, rear camera). There are a few things I would change about the interior design though. For example, the design of space for storage between the front seats is not very practical. The cup holders are also positioned so that can they interfere with the gearshift. The navigation/sensor software is functional but not very intuitive, especially compared to systems in other luxury brands. Overall though, I am happy with my purchase.

• 

  Ticking Time Bomb!! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By dnll360 - August 10 - 8:11 pm

  I bought my xc90 used and the problems didnt start til about 85k miles. Then I started having to replace wheel bearings, control arms, and ball joints. Then my car hit 100k miles and literally as soon as the odometer rolled over, my driver side headlight went out due to an electrical issue, then the alternator went, battery needed replaced, serpintine belt, timing belt, tempeture gauge housing, crank shaft assembly, and now at 101k miles on my way to look for a new car, my car starts smoking and my turbo blew which on the t6 is a twin turbo. I have been towed 3x in 3 weeks and everytime I go to get rid of it something else goes. I am having it junked and taking a loss on what I still owe.

• 

  Fast, Fun and Safe - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Jimk - August 10 - 10:00 am

  In my humble opinion, the R excels in all four of my selection criteria: Style, Performance, comfort and safety. The relentless pull of the 300 horses, the amazing cornering of the active suspension and all wheel drive, the supple smell and feel of top quality leather and the bullet proof construction all make the R a real standout.

• 

  We now own 2 - 2007 Volvo S60
  By Aaron Barkus - August 10 - 8:51 am

  I baught this car with 89,000 miles after driving my Parents and falling in love with thier 2012 s60. Once you get on the road its great there is some road noise but its also an older small car. Idle is basically silent and the engine sounds amazing. Mine has the upgraded dolby pro logic 2 sound system and its very loud with great quality but the bass just isnt there, the speakers are very capable the settings just wont let u crank the bass. One thing is when you drive really slowly (parking) and its just warming up it shakes and rattles alot. My t5 averages around 24 mixed driving. most of all you fall in love with this car and you cant say that about and Japanese or German rival.

• 

  One Reliable Fuel-Efficient Tank! - 2004 Volvo S80
  By Anthony - August 10 - 6:40 am

  I bought my first Volvo in 2005. It is a white S80. I cant say enough about the car. My previous car was a Lexus ES300, which I loved. But after moving to the suburbs and ommuting on the highway I decided to go for the safest on I could find. The car moves for a almost 4000 lb tank! The ride is quiet an agressive. It handles like a smaller sportier sedan. The best part is that when some cowboy in a goofy truck rides off my bumper he slowly realizes my white tank is not giving way. I have a 17 ft.great white sharks tooth hanging from the rear view mirror, reminding me of speed, unexpected stealth, and power- and thats what you get in the S80!

• 

  My Volvo - 2001 Volvo V70
  By JPaulM, - August 10 - 2:00 am

  It is fun car to drive and its is very safe. Holds the road in all types of weather. It has 46,000 miles, most of which has been on super highways. The both front seats have heaters The average yearly miles estimated at 15.300.miles. The interior is both cloth and leather and all in excellent condition. It has a Turbo engine and offers a great pick-up. The engine produces 45K RPM

• 

  What a Mistake - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By BrianL - August 9 - 8:36 am

  If I had to do it all over again I wouldnt. This vehicle has been nothing but problems. Brakes wear too fast, the first brake job was at 6,000 miles, I have 23,000 and need new rotors and pads. The steering makes noise and has always, I was told it was normal. Then after the warranty was up I had to have the front steering fixed, ball joints and the rack. now the steering only makes fluid noise but still a pain. The radio is the worst ever. The best part is the safety, but with the poor fuel economy, the multiple problems, the very poor resale value I should have went with the BMW. For some reason my wife wants to keep it. I can only expect more problems as time goes on.