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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  Be careful where and how you get repairs done - 1998 Volvo V70
  By coldjensens - July 15 - 7:15 pm

  We just bought a 1998 V70 XC awd with 238,000 miles on it. WE quickly learned something it may be helpful to pass on. Volvo delaership work and Volvo parts will break you. Example: Heater core replacmeent - from Volvo $800. It is a two hour job and you cna do it for less than $200. Or you cna find a good independant mechanic who does not blindly charge book rates and get it done for $400. Front Struts - this needs to be done by a professional unless you have special tools or knowledge, but you cna pay over $1000 at Volvo or about $600 at a decent indy shop. There are quite a few other items that are relatively easy to do yourself and if you find after market parts -

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  Best car I ever owned! - 2002 Volvo S80
  By mr volvo s80 - July 15 - 6:03 pm

  I drive about 40,000 miles per year. That equates to about 140 miles round trip per day. I considered a 2005 Honda Accord 4dr or Toyota Camry SE, but could not see myself being happy with seats or radio, let alone the exterior styling. So I looked at a certified preowned 2002 Volvo S80 4dr sedan. This car had about 55K miles, and came with a 6yr/100k mile warranty. With the big miles I put on, I felt the better deal was to buy preowned, get a $40K+ car for half the cost of new, plus get the super comfortable seats and safety design that a Volvo is noted for. I am very happy with the experience, reliability, and dealership. I love my volvo and hope to drive it 300,000 miles or more!

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  Its getting traded in!! - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Happy days ahead... - July 15 - 4:46 pm

  What can I say this thing is like a boat...happy day when you get it and even happier when you sell it! Get this junker out of my life....Im getting killed on the resale and Im thrilled! Im just so sick of the redundant issues and poor quality. Volvo, my Grandpa would be ashamed of you...he owned nothing but Volvos his whole life! Only two good things to say 1. Never left me stranded 2.Fun to drive when running right (so not too often)! IM FREE...IM FREE!!!!!

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  Proud to Drive my Volvo - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By vmcdevitt - July 15 - 1:03 pm

  Bought my car new and have been very proud of it, and have really enjoyed driving it. Will be passing it along to my 16 year old son and am confident it will be a safe and reliable car for him. Its the first car Ive owned past 2 years (were on year 6, mile 90K+) by choice. I havent found anything else Id rather own.

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  Great car! - 2012 Volvo S60
  By jtski33 - July 15 - 9:06 am

  I just bought this car yesterday and drove it 700 miles to my home. It drives great! A lot of power yet still fuel efficient. I averaged >30 mpg on the highway during my first trip. The handling is tight and responsive. The front seats are incredibly comfortable and supportive. The lumbar support is great. Even after sitting in the car for >10 hours I had no back pain or fatigue. I got a great deal on a 2 year old lease turn in. I was between buying a BMW 3 series and Volvo S60. The BMW wons hands down for performance. I bought the Volvo because I loved the styling, it drove very well and was packed full of features for 10K less than the comparable BMW. Great value.

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  Discreet Fun - 2006 Volvo S60
  By FastCar - July 13 - 6:33 pm

  I looked at BMW, Audi, and MB, and by far the best power/quality/features combination for the money was the S60R. The car performs at its best with quality 93 octane gasoline. By quality I mean from Shell, Exxon, Chevron, etc., not Texaco, Citgo, etc. Any low quality gas or under 93 octane and you will have a non turbo S60 2.5L. Also, it is important to have the foot on the entire accelerator pedal for best results. City driving and hard acceleration now and then, yields 21-22 mpg. Almost nobody knows what is under the hood, so it is fun to see other drivers trying to race you from light to light and being left behind every single time.

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  Excelent for the money. FWD - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Cheoto - July 13 - 2:23 am

  I have this car for a month and cannot be better, excellent quality inside and outside. Nice ride and easy to drive and the security features are amazing, better than q5 and X3 (far away)

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  Great Car - 2002 Volvo S60
  By bkrueger - July 12 - 4:26 pm

  Volvo is a great automobile company. If you are considering an A4, C-Class, IS300, 3-Series, it is another great alternative. Good performance, turbo is a lot of fun on the highway. Gas mileage is usually aroung 25 city 30- 33 highway (Depends how you drive). Interior is small in the back but i dont care because im the driver and it is awesome in the front. Interior is also very nicely appointed. Sound system rocks. Good car all around i have an ECU upgrade so that makes the car even more fun to drive.

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  fun to drive - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Dave Carraghan - July 12 - 2:56 pm

  the s60 is an extremely comfortable car to travel in...very responsive...handles and brakes well...it is designed with the driver in mind...

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  money pit - 1999 Volvo V70
  By tomcon - July 12 - 12:23 pm

  The only good thing I can say about this car is that Ive never had a breakdown and tow. Nevertheless its been an unending series of expensive repairs involving the cooling and electrical system, including an ABS rebuild, throttle body failure, oxygen sensor replacement, and the replacement of too many to count switches and bulbs. There is no such thing as a simple oil and filter change; always some aggravating expensive repair. I feel like Im rebuilding this car as I go along, and Ive taken good care of it. Now were into college years and I cant afford to replace it. Only 94000 miles and the worst car purchase in over 40 years of ownership. Shame on volvo for peddling this junk.