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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  no regrets - 2004 Volvo S60
  By lung doc - December 15 - 10:00 am

  Bought the car for my wife. We had previously leased a 2001 volvo XC70 but wanted to downsize, as I drive a Honda Pilot (great vehicle). The dealer offered me the S60, black with sport and premium packages for 28 K (sticker was 35). I took it for a test drive and was impressed.

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  Best Volvo Ever - 2007 Volvo S80
  By Mike - December 12 - 11:16 am

  I have had a 240, 740, 850, S70 and prior generation S80. This is the best so far. V8, AWD, Audio package and you feel like you are in a different world. Quiet and agile.

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  buy one - 2000 Volvo V40
  By dobbins - December 12 - 2:00 am

  A great compact wagon with a handling ability as good as my BMW but much less costly. Good visibility, good seat adjustment, zippy in "sport" mode and I get about 26-27 mpg/ on the road. 22 mpg in the city. Uses 89 octane gas. My 2000 v40 people think is a new one.

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  A Volvo? Really? So pleased! - 2007 Volvo S40
  By Parker - December 10 - 6:50 pm

  So, I consider myself a young guy about to turn 30 with a wife and child on the way and it was time to purchase a new car. I have owned many vehicles, most recently a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse which treated me very well. Now I want a vehicle that is sporty, something I can grow with but also a sedan to appease my wife who insists that my car should have 4 doors. I took the Mitsubishi Galant for a spin, the Pontiac G6 and we already own a Ford Fusion and yet I didnt feel that any fit the bill. I pop into a Volvo dealership, look at a Black S40 and think to myself this is a nice looking car. The car handles great with quality material inside. I feel I am driving a premium vehicle! I AM!

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  good car - 2001 Volvo V70
  By john - December 10 - 8:13 am

  Bought used in Sept 2008 with 27000 miles, now is 37000. I change the oil and maintain myself. Fairly easy to work on, best to have code reader, but have not needed yet. Light bulbs here and there needing replacement, pretty easy to do. Japanese Aisen Warner transmission requires special mobil synthetic oil and dipstick should be checked regularly, it is in an awkward location, way low on drivers side. Only use Full synthetic oils, including brake fluid. If you do I would expect 200000 miles of good value, as our 25 year old volvo 240s. We love this car. Have not added any as trans. fluid is pink. Very good highway car.

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  2000 Volvo S70 - 2000 Volvo S70
  By J. E. Wheeler - December 7 - 10:00 am

  For the most part, I have really enjoyed my Volvo S70 sedan. It is pretty good on gas (very good on the highway). I experience excellent driving performance on the highway. As far as in the city driving, 98% of the time, I get excellent driving performance; however, there are times when the driving performance is jerky.

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  Owner - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By friedrichaa - December 7 - 10:00 am

  Everything is working as advertised; it;s a great driving experience.

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  I love it so far! - 2000 Volvo S80
  By bob494 - December 5 - 6:10 pm

  2000 S80 2.9,155,800 miles,recent purchase based on styling and condition of car. My experience so far has been good,friends like it, runs and drives great. It seems these cars are bashed regularly here and I would like to speculate why this happens. Every car company,Honda and Toyota included,has good and bad examples. Your car can not treat you any better than you treat it. Also,not all dealership technicians are equally talented. If your local Volvo dealer can not fix your car to your satisfaction,find a good independent shop. If you drive your car very aggressively,ie hard braking and jack rabbit starts, expect extra repairs. Dont always blame the car for owner/driver shortcomings.

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  Great Car! - 2011 Volvo C30
  By jersite - December 2 - 12:15 am

  Have had my 2011 Volvo C30 for a little over a month now and overall, really love the car. The styling is amazing, handling great, seats the most comfortable Ive ever sat in (heated seats a huge bonus) and great fun to drive. Other high points are bluetooth which works amazingly well, iPod integration, and great visibility. Only drawbacks (and minor at best), huge, oversized key, so-so mileage and difficulty accessing rear seat. All that said, I would recommend the C30 to everyone.

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  Meets High Expectations - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Doug - December 1 - 9:00 pm

  The vehicle continues to look and ride like new after four years. 2.5T cruises great at 60-80 mph. Wear on tires and brakes is more than we had anticipated. Great on long trips. City mileage is a modest disappointment.