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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  A Great Car Except for One Thing - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By John George - July 29 - 6:36 pm

  I spent several months researching what car to buy for my wife. She wanted an SUV. I wanted safety. We purchased a 2005 XC90 T6 with 39000 mi. The car was like new, had had all the factory recommended service & checked out perfect! Since the car had 1 1/2 yrs of warranty I was not concerned about reliability. Boy was I wrong! After only 400 mi. the car has spent the last 3 weeks in the shop waiting for a back-ordered trans. The climate control is bad & surround sound cuts in & out on turns. We love the car but are afraid this is an omen of things to come. Also, the "back-ordered" trans tells us ours isnt the only Volvo with this problem. Cant someone make a safe & reliable car?

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  c 70 weak frame and roof - 2009 Volvo C70
  By frank - July 29 - 7:40 am

  Good experience driving top down but not when the top is up. It generates too much rattles from plastic panel door and roof

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  Good but needs a overhaul - 2010 Volvo XC90
  By someone! - July 28 - 12:40 pm

  I got this car for my wife and we did the European delivery program which was amazing, I recommend it dearly, Ive owned many volvos and this one is the best so far, the only problem Ive had with it is the right middle pillars plastic molding will rattle over jittery bumps and the materials in the interior are not up to date. but one thing if you get the 3.2 you probably will want AWD because it makes it drive much better and without it its kinda slow

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  Volvo--Swedish for Mechanics friend - 2000 Volvo V40
  By mffraser - July 28 - 10:00 am

  This car is about to be the worst car I ever owned. It has had numerous problems with headlight burnout-8 times, engine mounts worn out, turbo gasket leak, it now stalls frequently, the brakes last about 30K, and this is with proper maintenance.

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  V4 engine but turbo charged drive - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By twinmom - July 25 - 2:40 pm

  Great SUV. Very smooth on road. Not great mileage. Very comfortable interiors. Love the double sun roof.

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  First Impressions - 2007 Volvo V50
  By ChrisM - July 23 - 11:06 pm

  Ive had the car for only two weeks but here are my thoughts so far. Love the looks both inside and out, the appearance is what sold me on the V50. Excellent seats, smooth shifting automatic trans, reasonable performance from the 2.4i engine. I havent owned a Volvo before so the long term reliability is a bit of a concern. Early versions of this model seemed to suffer from electrical problems but my research on the 07 models seemed to show they have been worked out. I will post a follow up report after Ive put more mileage on it.

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  Will absence make my heart grow fonder? - 2008 Volvo S60
  By 4th volvo - July 20 - 1:43 pm

  This is my fourth Volvo, so I guess I am brand loyal. The AWD is awesome. The car is heavier than my last T5 S60, although inside it is almost identical. The drive is powerful, and the acceleration with the geartronic transmission makes the car very fun to drive. The leather, stereo, etc., is just enough luxury for me. Sad to say I havent had it 2 full months and it will be in the shop already because the temperature gauge does not work and the fan will not stop. Car currently sounds like a jet plane after starting it.

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  NO trade-in value! - 2000 Volvo V40
  By Scott944 - July 18 - 6:20 pm

  The $15k Ive spent on my 2000 V40 (purchase price plus repairs) means nothing at trade-in time, apparently because there is no demand for this model at the auctions where dealers wholesale cars. At best, Im being offered one-quarter of my cash outlay. Also, buyers should be prepared to have a lot of expensive things break by 100k miles. My dealer told me today that he was recently driving through a scary part of Washington, DC in a similar S40 sedan when the Mitsubishi-built transmission simply failed completely at a stoplight, something he had never experienced with even the oldest Volvos. Im going back to a 1996 Volvo 850 GLT--if I can get enought trade from my V40 to cover some of it!

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  "R" stands for rocket - 2005 Volvo S60
  By JFG - July 17 - 4:03 am

  A sports car enthusiest since childhood i chose to buy something practical after 8 years of F150 Ford 4x4 ownership. I got tired of the $100 + a week gas habit. The "R" was my choice above any other consideration. A more than worthy competitor against its rivals this car is a the best bang for the buck. AWD combined with superb interior design(except the rear leg rm) and power it is a purely exhilerating car to drive. In its most sporty and agressive mode (advanced) its hard for the gas pedal to find the floor before one finds himself at 100 mph. Handeling is responsive with a very firm ride. In comfort mode it is like a luxury car with balls. Great sound system, great looks, as well!

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  OIL PRESSURE ISSUE - 2004 Volvo V70
  By cyclist57 - July 16 - 6:02 pm

  There is a problem with the oil pan seals that requires attention! My 2004 v70 with 67k flashed the oil warning light twice for a second at a time and then a warning messge NO OIL PRESSURE STOP. 300 feet later I parked the car and then had it towed to the shop...started to place on tow and then to move into the garage....Result was the engine was gone! Oil level was checked after first warning light flash...full! Not real happy as I just bought the car....result is a replacement motor and the oil seals replaced before it was installed....My 2000 v70 never had seals replaced...still does not drip or burn oil at 200k....