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:

• 

  A Quick & Comfortable Ride! - 2005 Volvo S40
  By MTRETTEL - July 30 - 6:16 am

  It was not that hard to convince my corvette driving husband that may want to drive my new S40 T5 . Although he enjoyed the comfort of our old SAAB 9- 5, the S40 gained his respect after driving it for a week in the Florida Keys. Plenty of room in back for our two black labs too!

• 

  Didnt expect the clunky-ness - 2012 Volvo XC90
  By mtgvolvo - July 30 - 2:53 am

  Im bulletpointing those things that I find uninspiring: * putting key into ignition takes much accuracy * confusion with central controls for entertainment/ventilation - not intuitive * navigation - very confusing * the pop-up screen for rear assist and navigation being separate instead of built in. it powers upward when in reverse then returns in drive. Imagine going in reverse for 3 seconds and this screen going up hten down while youre driving forward. It sounds like the first component that will malfunction * must slam doors to shut * door lock/unlock system: it takes multiple presses to get the doors to unlock (except drivers) * no power for rear hatch * jerky acceleration

• 

  Great Euro Luxury Sedan Value - 2007 Volvo S80
  By jeffd - July 29 - 2:50 am

  This car is beautiful, inside and out. Good headroom for tall people, and decent legroom in the back, especially if the seats in the front seat are not 100% back. Good MP3 interface (hint, buy the $10 cable from Radio Shack and dont purchase the option). The mileage on the highway is impressive (around 27 mpg), but around the city is not (around 18 mpg.) The range of the car is a little underwhelming, but the controls and audio are fabulous and easy. The AC works very well, even in a very hot climate. No leaks or air noise, as this is a very tight car. I always thought the old S80s were boring, but with this redesign, the inside and out never get old to the drivers or passengers.

• 

  Running well - 1999 Volvo V70
  By driver110 - July 28 - 6:25 pm

  We purchased this V-70 over a year ago. Yup, the tail gate cover was loose, but it was easy to fix. Oxygen sensor went out, a little pricy but another easy fix. Gets 22.7 city and 28.9 hwy which increased a bit with new plugs. Overall this is a great little car, I hope to run it to 300,000 which is where my last two Fords gave up the ghost.

• 

  Volvo is not Volvo Anymore - 2013 Volvo S60
  By nevervolvo - July 27 - 4:16 pm

  No Volvo is better than the S80 until my engine blew after 32000 miles. For one month I drove loaner S60 T5 2012. I decided to buy one even though it was not comfortable and has no style. Factory incentives made it more advantageous to buy a new 2013. After the first day, the car when given light gas as in heavy traffic or starting from stop has a rattle sound like a paint can. The car went back 10 times from the dealer. A file was opened by Volvo NA and they said they all do that because of the CVTrans. The 2012 has different drive train. This car is junk and everytime I hear that rattle which is everytime I drive it reminds me of a $40K mistake. After 5 Vs the next car is Lexus

• 

  Too many problems - 1998 Volvo S70
  By imfrommars - July 27 - 11:26 am

  Bought new in 1998 Maintained every 5000 miles (about 3 months) oil change at dealership. I was happy up to 60,000 miles (still brakes were a known Volvo problem with soft pads). But after went thru 3 batteries, heating problem, ABS module replaced, front end replaced, tires 15 inches going very quick, twice rotors both front and back, and never mind miriad of electrical problems (bulbs, etc). Service at dealership is extremly expensive. This is my last VOLVO. Two of my students are using it right now still the safest car around, but daddy will be paying all the future repair bills which Im not looking forward. Bought myself a 2005 Toyota Camry XLE V-6 and extended warranty just in case.

• 

  Another Happy Customer - 2000 Volvo C70
  By Marjorie - July 27 - 2:00 am

  I extremely pleased with my 2000 Volvo C70! It has been extremely reliable, and fun to drive. It still gets many compliments even though this model has been on the road now 4 years or so. I have approx 49,000 miles on the odometer and I am the only owner. It has been in the heat of the desert and in the snow with chains! I still have 50% wear left with my original brakes! Super comfortable on some of my long road trips also! Hope that helps........

• 

  Sorry I bought it - 1996 Volvo 850
  By kbarry - July 27 - 2:00 am

  The 1996 850 has been a mechanical nightmare for me. Rear Main seals, alternator, A/C problems, blower motor, radiator fan, cooling leaks, engine mounts, ABS module failure, bad antenna, leaky sunroof, peeling paint. I bought this car due to Volvos legenday durability and high resale. Today, the car isnt worth squat on trade and needs about $2k worth of further reapirs to return it back to normal.

• 

  After 1 month - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By lens - July 27 - 2:00 am

  So far no bugs or defects. Excellent ride/handling. Very nice seats. 3rd row works and folds very conveniently. Flip down 2nd row headrests are nice for visibility. Interior very "clean" without dumb doodads. Nav system also works well and above-dash design makes it safer to consult while driving. Backup sensors also work, and are good for someone (like me) that has only driven sedans before this.

• 

  2005 S60 - 2005 Volvo S60
  By BC Volvo driver - July 26 - 9:46 pm

  Overall, a great car. Fun to drive, very comfortable. Luxury interior with the leather package, great options. Nice sound system. Feels like a luxury sedan - a joy to drive. Small enough to get around easily in city, fits into small parking spaces.