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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  Not A Family Car - 2003 Volvo S60
  By Renaek - April 17 - 10:00 am

  This car is great for just 2 people. If you have children do not buy this car. I have a 7 month old daughter. When we put her car seat in the car I have to have the passanger seat almost all the way forward. This makes it hard for my husband to go with me in the car since his knees are hitting the dash. I am looking at getting rid of it and I have only had it for 3 months

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  Quiet Rocket - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Ron - April 15 - 10:53 pm

  I first saw the 2004 Volvo S40 T5 at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2003 and I instantly fell in love with it. Having three cars already, I planned to buy a new one at the end of 2004 and I did. I was also considering the Audi A4, Mazda RX8, Mini Cooper, BMW 3-Series and the Volvo S40 T5. The A4 did not have enough mid-range torque. The RX8 guzzled too much gasoline. My neighbor already has two BMWs andthe Mini was going for more than list price! So I got the Volvo. This cars Acceleration is impressive as you quietly leave the loud pocket rockets the kids drive in the dust. Its pick-up is calm and smooth, if you lose on a standing start to a souped up car, youll appear as if you werent trying to race anyway. Its handling is responsive with the modified suspension & not choppy at all.

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  Great Little Car - 2002 Volvo S40
  By Cristin - April 9 - 1:13 pm

  We have owned about a thousand Volvos but this one is by far my favorite. I work in a parking lot with very tight parking and where people are always getting into fender-benders. This car is easy to park and easy to drive. Its fun and gets good mpg. With the leather interior it is very comfortable for long drives.

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  Go Volvo - 2004 Volvo S40
  By Ora May Harrell - April 5 - 10:00 am

  Over all as a owner and avid driver. I look forward to staying in the volvo family. For I am eyeing the S60 R. Volvo, you keep up the good work. I checked out the S40 2005, It sounds pretty good. I can not wait to see them on the road. By the way, If you guys realy read these notes, hit me back. Sincerly, Peace,speed, and safty.

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  Beautiful but shaky car - 2001 Volvo C70
  By Todd - April 4 - 10:13 am

  The C70 is a classically beautiful long hood/short deck design that looks great top up or down. The back seat room and rear visibility is very good for a convertible. This is my 3rd different 4-seat convertible, and the Volvo easily tops the others in that area. On the down side, repairs have been more frequent than I had expected given Volvos reputation, and much more expensive than Id like. The cowl shake and suspension crashing over railroads and potholes is frighteningly bad. But when the sun is out, the top is down, and the road is smooth, the C70 is a great joy to drive. Its no sports car, but a grand touring vehicle of the first rank.

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  You get what you pay for...cheap car - 2006 Volvo V70
  By JP - April 1 - 10:00 pm

  Very comfortable seats, ride is rough and inside cabin rattles. Its always in the shop. The car has been in the shop since ownership for a totaling of almost two months. The customer service at the headquarter is terrible and unsupportive. They do not follow- up on complaints. The most I have received from them is a pen and a survey on their services. I have a love-hate relationship with this car. Only if they have meticulously put the pieces together, this would be one of the best cars I have driven. Would I own another Volvo? NO on the company, NO on the dealer, NO on the car, YES on the seats.

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  Mine has been great - 1998 Volvo S70
  By LikemyVolvo - April 1 - 8:33 pm

  I bought mine with a stick shift, brand new, and except for routine maintenance and one battery replacement in 7 years (with a car which is parked outside at an airport parking lot for a week at a time), have had NO problems. I get it serviced regularly. The seats are wonderful - 6 hour drives are now a breeze when they used to kill me in my Accord, and it handles great! I would buy another one!

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  * pry it from my cold dead fingers * - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By pan - March 30 - 2:00 am

  i was looking for an suv that would comfortably convey my growing family safely, drive like a luxury sedan, remain a design statement, and last reliably for a minimum of 10 years. there is no other suv on the market besides the xc90 that matches what i was looking for, a year ago or now. 7500 miles in 8 months, no issues. i promise to repost when i cross the 250000 mile mark.

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  Great but for one big thing.... - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By SWS - March 24 - 2:00 am

  There is a bunch to like about the XC70. Great interior, comfort, safety, fit & finish & so on. The one piece that absolutely doesnt fit is the engine. The 5 cylinder is noisy and rough , simply inappropriate in a car that typically stickers out around $38K. Drop the drive train from my Acura TL-S into the Volvo and you have a home run. Why is Volvo married to that #$%&# 5 banger?

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  End of Lease Review - 2002 Volvo V40
  By Graham - March 22 - 3:50 pm

  There were 3 areas of disappointment I had with this vehicle: 1)excessive brake pad wear, 2)poor quality original tires, and 3)expensive maintenance costs. The interior quality was good, almost excellent. When the car was new, it felt like a struggle to get it up to 65-75 mph, but now that it has over 50k miles, it flies! So the power and acceleration improve with age! Too bad I am returning it.Volvo has got to do something to compensate owners for the poor brake pad wear, they wont admit that there is a problem.The OEM Continental tires would not stay inflated properly.Also had 2 flats.Upgrade to Michelins required tires rated to 150 mph! Expensive. Why Volvo?!