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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  Failed Transmission - 2000 Volvo S80
  By joesmith7 - September 14 - 3:53 am

  Bought the car new in 2000, owned it for 12 years and put 126k miles on it. Car was running fine with no problems until about 112k when a pipe fitting on the radiator cracked and ruined the radiator. At 126k the transmission ripped itself apart. Got 3 separate transmissions put in and all 3 of them broke immediately. Either scraping the car or buying a new trans to put in, either way Ive put a lot of money into it. And the gas mileage sucked, 14-15 city is unacceptable.

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  Great car, can be expensive - 1998 Volvo S70
  By MiloF - September 12 - 10:00 am

  Bought used in 2001 with 40K miles and an extended warranty until 70K. Good thing. Before hitting 70K, I had major repairs/replacements with both front rotors, the air conditioning system, and front and rear oxygen sensors...each job would have cost more than $1000 without warranty. Lots of little trim pieces also fall apart (ash tray, fuel door, sunroof lining, rear seat ash tray, etc). Oddly, since warranty has expired, car has been perfect. Go figure. Otherwise, rides great, stops in a dime, starts every time, great seats, great stereo.

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  S-80 is great! - 2002 Volvo S80
  By toothjanitor - September 12 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Volvo after owning a Lincoln. So, I had to adjust to the lack of comforts in this car. But the security, confidence in the structure and integrity of the car won me over. Took a while to find a comfortable seating. Snap up cupholder replaced 4 times now. Just gets in the way of everything. Miss heated mirrors and rain sens

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  At 140 mph . . . - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Bogus Skier - September 10 - 10:00 am

  The Turbo can achieve that speed but it sounds and feels like its in a hurricane. Bought new. Few problems: 2 batteries, some nuisance rattles. Smokes up mountain roads. New higher profile tires: handling and ride improved. Wt. distribution compromises handling. Steering heavy - requires firm, deliberate input; precise road sense in return but over- steer prone. Seating comfort is remarkable. Repair/routine maintenance myself so expenses minimal. Replacing pads at 45K without the need for rotors. Unused extended warty. Leather durable and wearing exceptionally well. Unless it begins to fall apart, will keep it around for another 5 to 8 yrs.

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  Low Reliability - 2000 Volvo S70
  By n2b - September 9 - 1:46 pm

  Good Sturdy car, Safe, However it is difficullt to maintain. While changing oil and filters -- it needs special internal filter and needs special wrench. It forces you to go to a dealer for oil changes. No dip stick for checking transmission fluid. Ease of maintenance always increases a cars reliabilty. Engine hot light comes on occasionally while the temp gauge reads normal and with full antifreeze. The light goes off only after an overnight cooling. The electronic throttle light comes on and the engine stalls. Volvo has not been able to explain the problem. The dealer will clean the throttle butterfly but it might or might not fix the problem. Volvo refuses to issue a recall.

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  Nice lil wagon - 2001 Volvo V40
  By drivetotheend - September 8 - 3:00 pm

  Bought with 58,000, now at 74,000. Nothing beyond the 60K service and oil changes. Paint is worst feature. Added mud flaps and euro-rails for a little character and sport exhaust, K&N filter, Bilstein gas shocks and a heavier sway bar for fun. Very responsive, very quick, very nice. As noted on these, the brakes will need replacing after about 20K, but it still stops well (they were new at purchase). Overall, this is a great vehicle. Yakima box onto the rails and I can fit all I need to camp with my wife and two small children. Once they get a little older, the back seat will be too small; its tight back there!

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  a great car for less of money - 2000 Volvo S40
  By kp - September 5 - 12:33 pm

  the car is great very comfortable and secure.if you get the maintenance on schedule no problems with the car.

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  Very comfy - 2003 Volvo V70
  By woodchuckscout - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Its big and drives like a tank, the fuel economy is pretty good, however if you open the sun/moon roof all the way back, it creates a funny wind effect sound, annoying.

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  1 Fun Car - 2005 Volvo S60
  By MikeM - September 1 - 7:43 pm

  I smile often driving my R! Acceleration and handling are outstanding. I can make passing maneuvers in this car that I could not make in any other car I have driven. Interior is full of luxury with great blue accents. At first I thought I would not like to change tires ( a must for the R that comes with summer only tires). However, winter sport tires and high performance summers totally add to the driving experience. At 4500 miles to date, I am very satisfied with the purchase. This is not some quiet, boring Lexus/Acura; the R rocks!

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  Workhorse Wagon - 2010 Volvo XC70
  By Bill Stevenson - August 31 - 10:53 am

  Volvo understands the needs of station wagon buyers. This is not a sports car, it is a workhorse. It pulls my trailer with no problem. It is easy to fold down the rear seat and haul a lot of stuff. Example, my long wheelbase recumbent bicycle slides in easily with only the front wheel needing to be removed. There are adjustable tie down points for securing a load in the back, a nice detail. The controls are intuitive and everything is within reach and easy to use. The ride is quiet and the car is sure footed in bad weather. Attention to detail is excellent. Everything works, switches and controls have a nice tactile feel. A surprisingly nice car everyone who has experienced it agrees.