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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  Positive Experience - 2000 Volvo S40
  By KHoffman - October 15 - 2:00 am

  My car was a dealer loaner, so it was a year used when I bought it. This has been a great car for me, and I drive alot. I love the pick up of the turbo and I find the car comfortable to drive. I have replaced a few light bulbs, I have not had any major problems. My dealer has superior service which makes me like the car even more.

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  Quality is disappointing - 2002 Volvo V70
  By virginia_dad - October 15 - 2:00 am

  Weve had this car for nearly two years and would not buy another. Have had a series of electrical problems -- bulbs constantly shorting out, headlights failing -- and other assorted problems. Service has been mediocre and overpriced. Sport tires are expensive and loud -- not a quiet ride at all. Weve owned Volvos for 10 years now and recently bought an Acura MDX as our "family car" and have been much happier with the quality and performance

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  I cant believe I bought a Volvo - 2014 Volvo XC70
  By jim6090 - October 13 - 12:59 pm

  My wife drives an 2010 XC60. I have always enjoyed it. Shopping for a car for me took me down a wide variety of paths. BMW and MBs Audi, Lexus and more. I wanted a fun, economical and safe car being a grandfather of 4. My old wagon was a 2010 chipped Passat. Enjoyed it, but just didnt feel safe and secure. After much research I ordered a 2014 T6 with the platinum package. Again more research. Had the Polestar installed. Can you say WOW. If you want a fun car that gets low 20s on the highway. You just wont believe how well this car drives. It will surprise you. Seats are most comfortable of any car period. Any price and brand. I tried them all! I am 6 ft 2. 250

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  Pleasant, but disappointing - 2007 Volvo S40
  By John B. - October 5 - 11:53 am

  The S40 2.4i gets high marks for styling, fit and finish - very nice. The 168 horsepower 2.4 liter normally aspirated 5-cyl has plenty of pep. Fuel economy is on the low side - I averaged 23 MPG in mixed city/freeway driving. The standard suspension is tight and supple; goes right where you point it. The big disappointment is the electrical system. In the 1 1/2 yrs I owned the car I had three occasions where the car didnt recognize coded electronic key, and a series of erroneous indications of hood unlatched, lights burned out, etc. After awhile cons outweighed pros, and I lost confidence. Last week I sold it, bought a BMW 328i (who can argue?).

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  So little needed to make much better - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By rrscott - October 5 - 10:00 am

  A good practical car with much improved exterior design from earlier models. The lack of standard transmission is a serious mistake. The geartronic works but the lag in shifting and the difficulty in knowing what gear you are in is disorienting and limits performance. Driving is very civilized and secure, but suffers from lack of feedback to driver. The feeling is of a refined car being driven in accord with your commands by someone else, rather than a sense of the car being an extension of oneself.

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  Id love it if my back werent killing me! - 2012 Volvo XC60
  By nelsoncm - October 1 - 9:07 am

  I was opting for something different from the series of wagons Id been in over the past 12 years. Saab, the maker of my past two wagons, was out of business, so I looked to the other Swede. The looks of the XC60 got me curious and all I had to do was put my foot to the floor on the test drive, and I was hooked on the performance of this car. Its solid feeling, gorgeous inside and out and the warranty was impressive. Plus I got $1000 off for staying with a Swede. But my back and leg are killing me every time I drive it and for a few hours after. Methinks its going to be a very expensive trade-in for either a Volvo or Audi wagon.

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  Oh my god repairs. No love after 120k. - 1998 Volvo V70
  By dennisonn - October 1 - 8:30 am

  First of all, I love this car, and the Volvo brand. This wagon is excellent, and the engine is to die for! Seriously, just stomp on the gas, that makes a believer out of anyone who laughs at the wagon =). That is if your car is working. When my family purchased this car at 80k, no problems at all! Now at 180k Heres an abbreviated list of repairs I have done/paid for in the past 2 years alone. One faulty computer. Three faulty O2 sensors. Two distributor caps (its fun when the cars stalls while its raining) Front& Rear Axel, Brake pads, and rotors. Sunroof. Timing belt, radiator, heater core. AC system, various electrical issues, Now a new turbo? No thanks. Massive oil leak. ugh.

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  You call this a safe car??? - 2001 Volvo S80
  By Lowie - September 28 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Volvo. I bought this car for safety and in both models I barely escaped injury due to malfuntions of the car. This car at 20000 miles died in the high speed lane on a major highway. I coasted across three lanes of traffic! A faulty air valve was suposedly to blame.Last winter my ABS went at 51,000..right after the warranty expired!! That was a $900 repair. I just spent $500 on a Mass air filter sensor. Bulb replacement has been constant.I am ready to dump this car. My next one will not be a VOLVO!

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  250,000 miles and Still Going Strong - 2001 Volvo S80
  By xc6793 - September 27 - 5:21 am

  I recently purchased this as a second car from my dad (he put most of the miles on it during the last 12 years). Despite the age and miles, this car shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. Over the past 12 years, weve never had to do any major mechanical repairs other than replace the heater core. It amazes me how smooth this car drives, even at 80 mph. Im 26 and my friends (who are also in their twenties) copliment this car! As referenced by many others, this car has the GM transmission which does concern me, but its still original at 250,000 miles, so I guess it cant be that bad! Plan on keeping this car for as long as I can......

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  Volvo V70 T5 - 2005 Volvo V70
  By DWallace - September 27 - 1:13 am

  Excellent all rounder. I do a lot of freeway miles and this car makes the trips pleasureable. It has a lot of power which is useful when joining the freeway or overtaking. It has a very comfortable driving position and feels rock solid on the road. And believe it or not, its fun to drive. On an open road the performance of this car is quite surprising.