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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  AWD Letdown - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By 2004 XC Owner - January 29 - 4:40 am

  Been a great car for commuting; awesomely comfortable. AWD power to rear wheels failed and no warning to alert driver. Discovered when son observed rear wheels not spining on icy driveway. Discovered after warranty expired; $2600 repair cost & 3+ wks @ dealer waiting for parts. All the while weve had 3 snowstorms in that time, which is one of the reasons I bought AWD. Not a happy camper. Weve been Volvo family for long time (3 V-series in household now); not sure Ill buy another. BTW, Volvo isnt only mfr w/AWD problems - do internet search on "AWD problems"

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  2010 S80, trying another Volvo - 2010 Volvo S80
  By Jon - January 27 - 10:40 pm

  I have about 4500 on my black Volvo S80. This is my second Volvo, I traded in a 03 S60 on this one. So far so good. Much improved over the S60 in terms of build quality, and materials. Only complaints are the engine noise at cruising speeds, seems intrusive for a car that costs this much. I drove Audi, Volkswagen, and Lexus and and went with Volvo for the price. I am happy with the choice.

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  retiredd volvo - 1998 Volvo S70
  By retiredrdn - January 26 - 10:00 am

  Too many recalls, some not notified of. Numerous electrical problems which are unsettling for a car of this reputation. At 40,000, had to replace steering gear box and all 4 bearings on wheels. Lack of "neat to have items". Purchased for safety of vehicle and got disappointing reliability.

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  Lemon - 2000 Volvo S80
  By 1bigagent - January 26 - 10:00 am

  The S-80 is avery comfortable and good looking veh, but it has been the most unreliable veh I have ever owned, in the last 3 years the car has been in the shop over a dozen times, and for weeks at a time. The head gasket blew at 4000 miles, the electrical system, a nightmare, the transmission does not function properly. All of this Volvo acknowleges, but they will not step up to the plate and get me out of a lease that only has 3 months remaining. My car is currently in the shop and has been for the past week and a half. I will never buy another Volvo!

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  Waste of money - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Jenn - January 24 - 10:23 pm

  I bought this car used 4 months ago and have brought it back to the dealer 3 times for repairs including faulty locks, broken heater fan, shocks, constant stalling while driving, gloppy engine oil, throttle replacement. Its a total lemon. Dont buy one!

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  almost perfect - 2005 Volvo S60
  By sedanfreak - January 24 - 5:13 am

  This one is in the top 3 of my all time favorites. Cool design interior and exterior. Good power and braking. Nit picks - huge turn radius, back seat leg room, interior noise higher than other german sedans Ive had (merc & BMW), hard tires and weak beverage holder.

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  Dependable - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Ms Harris - January 23 - 10:33 am

  I have never been so excited over the gas mileage until now. I never knew how important that was. Very, Very dependable, I have not had a single problem with this vehicle to this date.

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  Volvo Great Car - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By Joe - January 20 - 6:10 pm

  Volvo makes the worlds safest cars. They are very fun and easy to drive. Best SUV I ever had

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  The ultimate Nanny car. - 2017 Volvo S90
  By JWTaylor - January 20 - 10:53 am

  This car has at least 100 "warnings" built into it that the dealer says he cant cancel. So imagine driving down the freeway at 75mph and the streering wheel starts shaking, the dash has a bell that screams at you and a red alarm warning goes of in your face. Five seconds, literally, it is all over!!! But when it is happening, it will scare the crap out of you!!!!!!!! And it happens repeatedly!!!

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  My Volvo S60. The only way to travel. - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Jeff and Ruthann Az - January 20 - 10:00 am

  The moment I and my wife saw this car we were curious. The worst thing to happen next was we took it out for a test drive and fell in love. We love the quiet ride, the spacious interior, the distinctive smooth exterior, and quick response and speed. With the 2004 Volvo S60 you can’t go wrong.