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:

• 

  2000 S40 Review - 2000 Volvo S40
  By DJP - April 2 - 10:00 am

  Poor location for the cup holder and window controls. Outside noise louder than Im use to for a car in this price range and class.

• 

  My favorite so far - 2009 Volvo S60
  By Wes - April 1 - 10:06 pm

  Finally being financially able to purchase my first brand new car, i looked at everything- I decided with the rebate that I wanted the new S60 because it was a great value for the money. I traded in my IS300 and havent looked back since! Super comfy, and i will keep it till it hits at least 100k.

• 

  Best first car. - 2000 Volvo S80
  By BLKBLT1991 - April 1 - 8:03 pm

  I bought my s80 for $2000.00 and its been a been a better car than the cars that my friends bought for over $8000. I love the car. Its a little bit expensive but its soo durable. I dont know why people think its so crappy. It can destroy audis and mercedes. My father a certified auto mechanic and car body specialist and helps me maintain the car. Its performance is amazing if you know how to drive.

• 

  Another Success From Volvo - 2006 Volvo S40
  By VolvoNut - March 31 - 6:13 pm

  This is an outstanding car. Having owned four Volvos prior to this one (144, 164, 245, P1800), I have to say that the S40 (T5, AWD, 6-speed) is my favorite. The drivetrain components are solid: strong acceleration, consistent stopping power, and smooth shifting make for an enjoyable driving experience. Unlike the older turbos, this one is not subject to the same kind of shock-cooling that damaged earlier models back in the 80s. The clutch takes some getting used to. It is very light, but it grabs rather quickly. Having endured intense snow in Denver this year, the AWD came in rather handy. With DTSC, it handled beautifully.

• 

  Good but not great - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By mark - March 31 - 5:00 am

  There is nothing wrong with the XC90. But then again, theres nothing great. Acceleration has a lag but is OK. Third row is a great concept, but very difficult to get into. Dont even ask about third row leg room! Gas mileage is good for a 2 1/2 ton vehicle. Build feels rugged and well constructed. Features like rear audio controls is good. Its an OK vehicle. The question is whether it is worth $40K+?

• 

  So far so good - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Rudy Klein - March 29 - 10:00 am

  It is still very new but so far everything has beed fine. The Dealer has been great. So far very satisfied.

• 

  always in the shop - 2000 Volvo S40
  By usedtobuyamerican - March 29 - 10:00 am

  Not counting tires or oil, maintenance costs: 2004 $1621 2003 $2182 2002 $797 Volvos apparently reach 200k miles by replacing everything on them periodically. Has left me stranded twice!

• 

  Love this car - 1999 Volvo S80
  By sherwoi - March 29 - 10:00 am

  One of the best vehicles I have ever owned.

• 

  Dissapointed - 1998 Volvo S70
  By ficho - March 27 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car as a certified used from the dealer in 9/1999. The car had 35000 miles. The car has had many problems from day one. Dealer support has been terrible. I have had to fight with them to get them to cover the problems under warranty. Many switches/lights probelms, as well as cruise control, steering column and engine mounts. I have taken the car in for intermittent AC problems 7 times. The dealer cannot trouble shoot the system correclty. They changed all kinds of sensors and switches. The AC works for a while and then its dead again.

• 

  HAVE OWNED MANY VOLVOS - 10 since 1971 - 2000 Volvo S80
  By RFG - March 27 - 10:00 am

  Good driving car on the long trips- reasonable gas milege 23+ mph( but 93 Octane). Big trouble with the right wheel assembly falling off in the driveway after a bad dealer required suspension fix! Only weakness has been the suspension noise and troubles. Not sure it was worth the $667/mo. lease rate.