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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  Bad Brakes - 2003 Volvo S40
  By jamminjay - February 28 - 10:00 am

  Brakes should NOT fail at 15,000 miles! On a regular maintenance trip to the dealer they informed us that the rear brakes had less than 10% life life and needed to be replaced. WHAT???? Other than that a peppy little car, pretty solid.

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  Buying new car one part at a time - 2000 Volvo V70
  By Christopher Hanks - February 25 - 10:23 am

  Paid 5K$ for a V70 XC AWD Turbo with 95,420 miles plus 2K$ trade in. Biggest problem was failing Electronic Throttle Montrol (ETM) causing car to stumble and hesitate intermittently. Solution was to replace ETM with rebuilt/re-designed (non-mechanical) ETM for $689 plus $196 labor for installation. In first year have also had to replace serpentine belt, AC evaporator core, rack and pinion power steering assembly, catalytic converter, timing belt, engine mounts and rear stabilizer assembly - totaling another $8800 in parts and labor. Runs well now - hoping for another 100K mi

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  Great Car For The Money! - 2002 Volvo S60
  By dingo686 - February 22 - 8:43 pm

  I have put 30k miles on mine and these are my impressions so far at 80K miles. I used to be a Honda guy but when I couldnt find a used one at a descent price I drove this car and boy am I glad I did. These cars have all the reliability of the Japanese cars but better fit and finish and quality. Just open and shut the doors of this car and youll know what Im talking about. Only problem Ive had with this car is the fuel pump cracked but it is a recall item so I took it to the dealer and they replaced it no charge. I have replaced one daytime running lamp and the oil and thats it. To me you get the looks, feel, most of the peppiness and quality of a BMW 3 series but at half the price.

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  2001 Volvo 2dr Sdn - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Andrea Smith - February 22 - 5:46 pm

  Overall, a very good car! Purchased car for safety features as well as design and have been satisfied YTD. Took 3 years of ownership before realizing that there is a trunk release above rear license plate when doors are unlocked push up on rubber cover this will open the trunk without using the fob.I have to agree that the car does burn bulbs. Car only has 38000 miles and replaced over 6 bulbs. The dealership I go to is not so generous and charges $4.00 a bulb a bit pricy. Had some problems with plastic runners on roof pitting and discoloring the first year but they were replaced under warranty. Also, experienced some electrical problem that was also covered under warranty.

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  R doesnt stand for Reliability - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Greg - February 20 - 10:13 pm

  Ive had the S60R for about one year now; its a blast to drive, sporty and luxurious. The navigation works well, but does not have voice activation or a touch screen. So far Ive averaged at least one trip to the dealer per month for "nuisance" problems and technical bulletin fixes. The 6 speed will make even the most seasoned stick drivers feel like a 16 year old learning to drive a manual tranny, its never the same clutch twice. In spite of these shortcomings, Volvo has done a nice job entering into the M3 and S4 realm. The R can hang with either car and not embarrass itself. Just be prepared to fork over alot of cash at the pump.

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  my volvo S40 2.00T - 2000 Volvo S40
  By luke - February 20 - 10:00 am

  Im saddened to here the negatives although i have not had it long i love it! I had a 1969 Volvo before and i loved that one too i have had Hondas,Fords and a Toyota and they all stink big time!! So i decided to go back to Volvo i am soooo glad i did, now when i see a Honda on the road i cant help but laugh, because they are trouble on wheels! If you want to complain about a Volvo go get a Honda if they dont rust to peaces then they will break into peaces, yes parts are expensive for Volvo, but they dont seem to break my 1969 Volvo after 6 years the only problem i had was getting someone to set the twin SU carbs.

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  Volvo XC Not after the warranty - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Ginger - February 19 - 2:53 pm

  I bought this vehicle in its 3rd model year and it had all kinds of kinks. Under warranty all of these issues were free ($6000 worth), but note that I sold the vehicle as soon as the warranty was up. Loved driving it; impeccable customer service and reasonable service prices but am not willing to pay for unreasonable problems.//I have 2 labradors and an infant who go with me everywhere. This vehicle has the space of a midsized SUV and somehow handles the road like my tiny 325i BMW.//With the car seat installed behind the passenger seat there is little room left up front--in that configuration, my husband is 6 and refuses to ride in the passenger seat as his knees are up in the dashboard

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  I Love This CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2000 Volvo S40
  By packersfan12 - February 16 - 8:47 pm

  Ive seen a few others say bad thing and im sry to hear that mine has 157k on it and runns like a dream besides a few problems like to o2 sensor this car is great fast and fun to drive volvo as far a i know has always been known for building high quality cars that run 4 a long time with the proper care plus they are some of the safest as well i love my volvo hope you do to

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  Love Volvo, dont love XC90 - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Volvoowner4life - February 12 - 2:26 pm

  Bought my 2005 XC90 new in November 2004. Overall, I am happy with it, but also frustrated w/the number of the same problems over and over. Love 3rd row seats & integrated child booster. Hate that I have had to replace my tires 2x in the past 4.5 yrs. I have had continuing issues with the ball joints and tie rods that actually caused me to fail inspection. They have been replaced at least 2x & I am hearing the same noises again. There is not a ton of power or pick up with this vehicle. Also, I have had several fuses blow for the power outlets even though nothing is plugged into the very often. I would like to try the XC70 or the XC60 to see if I have better luck.

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  Bought it only for its looks! - 2002 Volvo C70
  By PittPanther - February 8 - 10:00 am

  This car is pure eye candy and we have had lots of people comment how beautiful and elegant the coupe is. The is more room for tall people than in any other luxury coupe. However, given the still somewhat steep price tag the car offers suprisingly little features and doesnt ride and handle as well as many cheaper cars. The power seats are a mere joke, the stereo in the center console an after-thought and I would advise anyone not to use the cup holders while driving - spillage guaranteed. The T5 engine is so-so at low speeds and only comes alive when revved real hard. Parking the car is a chore in tight spaces. Bottom line: buy it for its looks.