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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  Bring back the S70 body style!!! - 2000 Volvo S70
  By Turbomolar - February 14 - 5:43 am

  Most people dont realize how easy it is to customize their Volvos. With a simple ECU change, intake and exhaust upgrade, your S70 GLT SE can easily add another 40hp and 70torque. And upgrading to a lighter 17" aftermarket rims(I recommend the 17.5 lb. SSR-GT1 wheel.) with wider tires transforms this boxy grandpa car into a sexy, agressive, turbobrick! ;) I love my S70. Too bad Volvo stopped making this body style. Guess Ill have to get a XC70 next. Anyways...no real problems have arisen in the past 5 years(except for the turn signal recall that was easily fixed). Lets all email Volvo and tell them to bring the S70 body style back!

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  Best Purchase Ever! - 2004 Volvo S40
  By Debbie N. - February 12 - 2:00 am

  What a great little car! Having already purchased a used Volvo wagon, we knew we wanted our next car to be a Volvo, but affordability was an issue. I moved from a Saturn into the Volvo S40, and was surprised at how inexpensive the car was, and how much bang we got for our buck.

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  No Problems - 2000 Volvo S40
  By Mr. B - February 10 - 11:56 pm

  I Have owned this vehicle for about 6 years and have had few problems that I have not seen in my other vehicles. Firstly, I bought it with 18k so I had time to put some mileage on it. I currently have over 200k and have done 5 brake Jobs so the brakes have been fine for me. My headlights burnt out frequently until I fixed the ground. I have replaced my struts with konis and would highly recommend them. I have replaced my motor mounts, cv axle, and turbo seals once. So I dont know why everyone is complaining about these cars, if you maintain them they last awhile. Oil change at 3k not 7500.

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  V70R A Joy! - 2004 Volvo V70
  By RHS - February 10 - 3:13 pm

  Totally enjoyable "compromise" between a functional car and a sports car. Passengers are universally compelled to comment that this is not what they expect from Volvo. They are very impressed. It looks great in a quiet way. Lots of fun.

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  2004 V70R - 2004 Volvo V70
  By John Landis - February 8 - 8:10 pm

  Car has been great except for the Pirelli P6"s. They wore out in about 15000 miles and were terrible in the snow even when they were new. They were replaced with Micheln Pilot Sport A/Ss. They lasted 30,000 miles and were decent in the snow. Except for a bad reverse light switch I have had no problems with the car.

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  (Very) Swift AND Stylish - 2004 Volvo V70
  By karen b - February 8 - 10:00 am

  The LAST thing I thought Id get was another Volvo--but after testing the Lexus RX 330 and the VW Touraeg and beind dissatisfied with both, my husband talked me into visiting the Volvo folks before I turned the XC in. Id heard about the V 70 R, asked to see one. They had one on the lot ("hard to come by")--I drove it and took it home. Daily driving has become a pleasure--I love it so much I often wash it myself. And its stealth-fast: Im still treasuring the shock on a Carerra 4S owners face when I blazed past him on my way to work (same hp)...Nobody knows what this car can do unless theyve been in one or have driven one. Finally--a hot Mommy car!

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  Awesome Car - 1998 Volvo V70
  By bobsfrankenbeans - February 6 - 7:53 pm

  Coming from a 96 Saturn sw2, this volvo was a huuuuuge upgrade. Its air tight (so much so that your ears pop when opening/closing the sunroof), runs like a charm, and is so stable that I often forget Im driving in through icy/snow covered roads (as the AWD and Wet setting makes the car hunker down and adjust beautifully to the changing grip). the cabin stays at a nice temperature even with its -20 out and it warms up within 5 mins. Its super comfortable, good audio, etc. etc. Its not as much fun as the saturn - no doughnuts or snow drifting - but its certainly safer, warmer, and at an appropriate level to allow giant F-9000s to see you, not matter the weather.

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  Best car I have owned.... - 1998 Volvo S70
  By JJB98 - February 5 - 10:00 am

  and I have had many! I usually sell my daily drivers within a couple of years because I get bored with them. Not this S70 GLT. This ones a keeper. I think that says it all. I have a young teenager approching driving age and this car will be the one I will let him drive. Safe, reliable,and responsive just to mention a few things. Mine is red with creame and wood trim. Rear spoiler really adds to the look. Volvo made this model until 2000 and added all wheel drive in 99. I just might add one of them for my winter car and park my 98 for the winter just to keep it prestine!!

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  Solid performance at any speed! - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Volvojoe - February 1 - 10:00 am

  This car feels glued to the road regardless of the speed you are traveling. In fact, I cant wait to accelerate through the curves in the road or expressway on-ramps. The overall precision built into this car is evident in the adjustable suspension and 4-C system - Heck, even the clock and speedometer are dead on! Warning: You will find yourself putting more miles on this car than originally anticipated due to the Fun-Factor!

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  True Sports Sedan - 2004 Volvo S60
  By JYH - February 1 - 10:00 am

  Loved it as soon as I saw it. Looked at Jaguar X & S Types, not sporty enough. Got the 6 manual, 4 disc in-dash CD, nav system, 18" wheels, sport package with ground effects. The sport package really dresses the car up nice. I get alot of looks & compliments. The nav system is very good, alot of good & useful options. The active suspension & three settings are great. You can feel the suspension really change as soon as you push the button. The engine loves to be pushed. This is truly a car that can be driven comfortably on weekdays and driven like a sport sedan on the weekend. Volvo safety speaks for itself. They really