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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  Great ride - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By Jolene - February 1 - 6:10 am

  Not your typical wagon, not just another mom-mobile, fun, great storage and luxurious without having to drive a truck.

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  Very Happy S80 T6 Camper - 2000 Volvo S80
  By dixiebullfrog - January 31 - 2:33 pm

  Three years & 70,000 miles later, I still look forward to driving it to work (70mi RT) as much as on road trips! Turbo is much more responsive than basic engine (drove both before buying). Passengers are always surprised at excellent road ride, extremely comfortable seats, and excellent interior layout. Acceleration is phenominal from a dead start or passing on 2-lane roads. HU-801 Dolby Pro Logic Surround Sound system - WOW! Sound of CDs is concert- hall quality. No cassette player; you wont miss it. Read all the reviews at this site - read between the lines. Look for the real problem; many times it is the repair facility/dealer or someone who hasnt read the owners manual.

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  A great Car! - 1997 Volvo 960
  By mlmain - January 31 - 2:23 am

  I agree with the others: an all-around great car. The only glaring piece of poor workmanship is the cup holder--- surely Volvo could have done better than this. Very smooth engine, largely due to its being an inline six. And rear drive contributes to better weight distribution. Rear drive also makes possible the short turning radius-no problems with tight u-turns. I have mixed premium gas with intermediate without a problem. Agreed, radio reception isnt the best, as others have observed.After several years, my air conditioning output is getting weak, but that may only require a recharge of refrigerant- --I hope! Front window sill coverings are pulling away. Am very pleased overall.

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  1998 Volvo V70XC - 1998 Volvo V70
  By petee - January 31 - 2:00 am

  Good vehicle all around. Braking system poor design. Rear wear out at 17000mi, fronts last forever.

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  worst car ive ever owned - 2003 Volvo S40
  By dunx - January 31 - 2:00 am

  i purchased this car in january, 2000, because my wife "had to have it". back brakes went out after 15k mi and ruined rotor. a/c stops working w/continuous use (2 hours driving). headlight go out every 10k mi. sunvisors are stuck in down position. check engine light is on contiously-no one knows why. maintenance is expensive even for european car. the suspension rattles until the car has warmed-up (?!?). headlight socket broke when light replaced (3rd time)-dealer says its my problem since the warranty is out.

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  20 PLUS YEARS WITH VOLVO - 1998 Volvo S70
  By Joe Dowdy - January 31 - 2:00 am

  Im on my third Volvo. It can all be sumed up in three words: SAFETY ***** PERFORMANCE ***** and COMFORT ***** A great family car. Ive kept two cars in my garage for over twenty years, one has always been a VOLVO the other a Toyota. You just cant go wrong with a VOLVO for your family car.......

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  Not bad, but would not buy another one - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Scott C - January 31 - 2:00 am

  My S80 T6 has not had many problems. A steering recall, and replacement CD/Radio has been all. I put in synthetic oil on a regular basis and rarely take it to the dealer. When you pull the radio to fix a stuck CD, you have to get the air bag service light reset - can not do this normally. This has always been a pain at the dealer. Although I have not had problems, I count my blessings as others have. With 50K miles + on my car, the car seems "loose", as panels shake regularily. Trunk space is great, it fits 4 people well, but there must be better cars out there for $40K (2000 price). I have no real issues, but would not buy another S80.

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  safety with style - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By aimee - January 31 - 2:00 am

  I anxiously awaited the release of theis car to the market and its arrival has exceeded my expectations. Living in the Northeast, your faced with fluctuating road conditions, be it due to weather or just the type of road. This car performs great all around. No SUV or any automobile for that matter can stop on a sheet of ice, so with the Volvo, you can be assured you are safe should you get into trouble. The interior is comfortable, and I think on the outside, is the best looking SUV on the road. Lastly, the Volvo XC90 is very spacious and has an optional third seat that and adult will not be cramped in. It is a fantastic car!

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  Classy - 1998 Volvo S70
  By VK - January 30 - 11:36 am

  In the 7 years I have owned this car I have spent about $4500 on maintenance and repairs and that includes brakes, new tires, 60 and 90K service. This is approx. $650/year which is phenomenal. The car has about 95K miles now and the car still runs like it is new. I absolutely love this car and will probably keep it for another 7 years. If you maintain this car well it will easily run past 200,000 miles.

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  My First Volvo Wagon - 2005 Volvo V70
  By Kyang - January 30 - 4:30 am

  My Volvo V70 2.5T was delivered with two weatherstrips deformed and a noisy V- belt. They all gor fixed under warranty. The engine vibration is felt at idle and under accelaration. I think it is common for 5 cylinder engine (the Audi 5000 has the similar vibration). Once the engine is at cruising speed (~2000 rpm), it is quiet. The dealer service is excellence. It probably will be expensive after the warranty expires. The only anoying thing is the idle time before shut down the engine after a long drive (to prolong the turbo chargers life).