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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  Vermont in a Volvo - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By paster - November 5 - 9:33 pm

  I was in vermont this week. On the top of a mountain the temp was 26 and the car was horrible on the ice. We put the W button on but the car just had a mind of its own. I was frightened so bad for my life I may get rid of the car at the end of 05 or 06.

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  Professional Convertible - 2009 Volvo C70
  By PJ - November 5 - 9:43 am

  As a VW driver for years, I talked myself out of another VW when my last lease expired. I do like my C70 and find it stylish, but I miss the zip of my 4cylinder turbo charged VW Passat.I test drove an Eos in my search for a new car, and bowed out due to unsteady feeling of that car. In retrospect, Id have given this purchase more thought....

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  Poor quality - 2002 Volvo S80
  By Charlie Mak - November 2 - 10:00 am

  Vehicle is underpowered. The sheet- metal used is very poor. After one year car has many dents that can’t be explained. The roof has two that looks like the car is buckling. The smallest door bang turns out to be a large dent. The doorjambs can’t be quieted. The sunroof is noisy and grinding. I had upgraded interior wood installed by the dealer. Without the wood the interior looks bland. The front wheels have to be cleaned weekly due to the heavy brake dust. My wife loves the car. I on the other hand wouldn’t purchase another until the issues described we corrected. However, after 31K we have had no mechanical problems.

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  Great car! - 1998 Volvo S70
  By Jim - October 31 - 4:10 pm

  I was surprised to see all the negative reviews on my car! I bought it 4 years ago with 80k miles on it and it just turned 160k last week. I drive about 70 hwy miles/day. No major repairs so far. Incredibly reliable car. Left it at the airport during a recent ice storm. When I returned, it had been coated with about 4 - 6 inches of ice for a couple of days. When I finally got into the car it started up immediately! The bulbs were a nuisance at first, but I now just keep a few extra in my trunk (pretty cheap). Only takes a minute to replace. I probably change a bulb every 4 or 5 months. Hope to get another couple years out of it, but even if I dont it has served me well.

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  First time Volvo Owner - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By WOE - October 29 - 2:00 am

  We traded in our BMW 528I with 127,000 miles on it. Our criteria was we wanted a vehicle to tow a trailer, and not be an SUV. We feel we found it with the XC70. It is rated to tow up to 3500 lbs, which is more than we ever will. We have only had it a couple of days, and it took a lot to get us from BMW, we hope this is the right choice.

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  Buy it if you can afford to maintain it. - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Philip Townsend - October 25 - 2:39 pm

  I enjoy this car, purchased it with 142k miles 2years ago. Had a no start, no charge problem last summer, replaced battery with used $30 battery, good as new. Happened again this year, this time alternator gave out, replaced both battery and alternator for $400. I did the labor myself and saved about $400. I only put castrol edge full synthetic oil, usually on sale for $40 for 5 quarts and filter. Car take 7.29 liters, you do the math.

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  Near Lemon 2004 Volvo S60R - 2005 Volvo S60
  By drrjb - October 22 - 4:30 pm

  From the begining this car had problems. The radio never kept tuned in, the turning radius is horrible the brakes squeeked and the trany slipped in second. After 15 months I excahnged this car with some money for a new 2005 model S60R. So far the problems are fixed but it was a long ordeal

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  Volvo XC90 -- 2003 - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By RoJo - October 19 - 10:00 am

  Toss up between the X5 and XC90--we choose the XC90. Although were happy with the vehicle overall, the gas mileage, acceleration, audio system and navigator system need Volvos attention. Overall the vehicle gets high marks for style (interior/exterior), craftsmanship, comfront and maintenance.

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  Great Luxo Cruiser - 1997 Volvo 960
  By Volvo4Live - October 15 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd Volvo. My husband and I bought our first ones in 1984 and 1985. Both used 744 sedans. We got them mainly because of the safety Volvo is known for. They were such great cars, that in 1991 we bought a Volvo 945 wagon. And then another Volvo 940 in 94. My 945 was dying after 184k miles. This is the most comfortable one we have owned. We like it so much my husband plans to get one instead of a new Mini Cooper. We are lucky and havent had any problems. The cupholders are a poor design though. Other than that it is a wonderful car. Tailored for those who want to drive in style and luxary.

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  Volvo XC mets expectations - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Al97 - October 15 - 2:00 am

  We have owned this car for a year and half. It is a competent car. The extended Volvo warrenty seems useless though as nothing seems to be covered under it when you really get into it. There have been seveal small electrical problems that seem surprising and unecessary like the emergency flasher reley failing (not covered and $75 ) replacement. The cabin lights only work sparadically when you opent he door. Our 10 year old Mercedes wagon has had far fewer problems, and has been all over the world with us. Our 1986 240 wagon was more reliable than the XC but neither ever stranded us by the roadside.