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 Toyota...but - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Patrickjd9 - March 22 - 10:00 am

  Definitely less reliable that previous Toyotas, but certainly not bad. Main problems have been replacing all brakes and rotors plus expensive tires every 35K or so. Ignition switch, oxygen sensor, and door stop replaced (tore out weld), A/C recharged once. Some dash rattles started before 60K miles. Power is adequate without turbo. No transmission problems yet (106K).

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  Love the car - hate to fix! - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Jay - March 21 - 3:03 am

  Driving this car is bittersweet. It has all the comforts of home with all the bells and whistles and the safety that Volvo is known for. The car looks good, has a smooth ride, it turns heads, and even has a kickin audio system, but my wallet take a punch to the face when I sit in the waiting room of the service department. Among the thousands I spent in repairs, last week I spent $150 for a simple battery (without the labor cost). When I disconnected the old battery to purchase a new one, my airbag sensor got disabled, and that cost me $85 just to have the technician connect a computer in the dash and press a button to reset it. I had to get rid of it but I do miss it.

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  Moving Out - 2005 Volvo S60
  By bruce ulrich - March 19 - 1:40 am

  Ive got the 6-speed manual R version which are extremely rare- found only two in the entire L.A. metropolitan area- 100 miles in all directions! Only complaint so far (Ive only driven it 1,000 miles) is that it has a tremendous thirst for gas and Im not racing in the quarter mile on a daily basis! Im told it improves as the engine gets more broken in-I certainly hope so. 16.5 miles per gal. avg.-

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  Great Volvo - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By cdenter - March 18 - 10:00 am

  This is my first SUV and I am pleased with the handling. I feel safe with the roll over safety features and can comfortably take turns. The seats are very comfortable and the ride is smooth. Gas mileage is as stated on sticker at around 18mpg for some city/highway driving back and forth to work 30 mile round trip.

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  The best car I have ever owned! - 2005 Volvo XC70
  By camnate - March 13 - 9:27 pm

  Ok so I baught this vehicle from my brother with 75k, he bought the vehicle with 51k and he had all scheduled maintenance done. I have kept up with the majore ones. I have no idea about the previous owner. This car has never left me stranded and rides like a dream! my wife loves it! 130k miles and still runs/rides perfect. There are the occasional minor fixes that will set you back a few hundred but really. as the car gets older even an extra $1200 year minor fixes is well worth it.. you can drive it for 20 years! The engine is iron clad (2.5 5cy) and it still drives like its on glass. tires are a pain, and MPG could be better but treat it right and will pay dividends!

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  Safe but Sorry - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By John - March 13 - 9:50 am

  Weve had Volvos in the past and this one has been a real disappointment. Requested an extended warranty after multiple problems and Volvo did honor our request. You feel safe driving it but the rattles and excessive tire wear are just a few of the issues. This was a model year but we took the risk becasue of our luck in the past with Volvo.

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  Head Turning Convertible - 2009 Volvo C70
  By Gilbert Rivera - March 10 - 12:20 pm

  As a life-long Honda lover this is my first Volvo. The fit and quality sold me on the vehicle. Love the top fold- down, and the trunk space for a convertible. Best feature: DynAudio stereo, great sound and bass. The car turns heads with the top is down. Got 24K miles on the car and no problems. Two gripes: 1. Pirelli tires a (18 in. wheels) dont last beyond 30K miles (cost $300 a pop). 2. Navigation system stinks. An address has to be manually entered. No voice activated features (like my Honda). For a premium brand this is a surprise.

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  Its always something - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By 7milehi - March 7 - 5:53 am

  Built like a tank, fun to drive, solid feel and loaded with safety features. A great vehicle as long as it is in warranty and your dealer offers a loaner car. This is one vehicle that an extended warranty would probably pay for itself.

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  Transmission Failed - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By P.B. - March 5 - 5:13 pm

  I currently have 84,000 (all highway) on my XC 90 and the transmission has to be replaced. I will never buy another Volvo again for lack of customer service and reliability.

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  Huge Transmission Problems - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By dancingbear3 - March 2 - 11:13 pm

  We loved our 2004 T6 until yesterday when we had to be towed from Lake Tahoe to a Sacramento Volvo Dealer ( 109 miles ). Two different dealers told me this model has a huge transmission problem. There is talk of a law suit on the discussion board as so many owners have had problems. To be fair, some of the owners got full replacement including trnsmission, lines and radiator (around $7000 n). Well see how it goes ...