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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  V50 T5 AWD has been great so far - 2005 Volvo V50
  By BJTerp - October 17 - 4:36 pm

  I traded in my Jeep Liberty for a new V50 T5 AWD because I wanted something fun to drive. The Volvo has not disappointed. The performance and handling are great for a car in this class, and the car feels very solid. Compared to the BMW 330xi and Audi A4 2.8 Avant, the V50 gives you a lot of bang for the buck, and better styling. The interior is beautiful, and very comfortable. The upgraded stereo sounds fantastic, and the 17" wheels give the car an aggressive look.

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  Bad Bad SUV. Frustrated - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Me - October 16 - 11:40 am

  I purchased the Volvo XC90 V8 due to the safety and convenience features. I have nothing but problems with the SUV. It stalls and is a hazard. Upon checking the internet, there are many purchasers that have had problems with the Volvo XC90. Next time I will stick to Toyota/Lexus. This Volvo is a headache. By the way, this is supposed to be my wifes SUV. She is 7 months pregnant. She will not be driving this vehicle! Another issue is the towing capacity. It is rated at 5000 pounds. This is with the driver only. Any passengers and cargo decreases this capacity rapidly. Also, it requires a transmission cooler and brake controller. The dealers wont install them.

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  Great car, great price - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Sam - October 15 - 11:06 pm

  So far I love this car. It runs great and all the chicks dig it! I love all the automatic features and love the styling. Its my first European car and I must say, it blows my Honda Accord out of the water! The power is nice, but the turbo is a little tricky... but I managed to hit some nice speeds on the highway. Overall, I hope this car maintains its value in the long run!

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  Love our volvo - 2007 Volvo XC70
  By Stowe - October 15 - 2:16 pm

  Great fun to drive. Enjoying all the new technology. It is our 6th volvo over 30 years.

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  Volvo wins me over - 2007 Volvo S40
  By PianoMan - October 14 - 5:40 am

  I love this car! I picked it up at the factory in Sweden (a fantastic deal that I would recommend to all), and drove it through Denmark, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Austria. It is stable as a rock at any speed (my son pushed it up to 110 on the autobahn), handles responsively, accelerates acceptably, and has good fuel economy. My onboard computer says I am getting 28.2 mpg overall, which I think is quite good. I consider it to be a BMW 328 for 10K less. (Yes, the BMW is superior in handling and acceleration.) The factory pickup experience was so fun that I may never buy a car any other way.

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  A Well Maintained Vehicle - 1998 Volvo V70
  By longislanddriver - October 14 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd Volvo. My experience is that the V70 is more reliable that my 1989 245. I always buy a base model for price and more importantly to eliminate problems. The AC compressor and condensor was replaced the first week. I guessed Volvo probably put the wrong refrigerant in it. I used to replace the headlight bulbs but after recall never replace a build yet. Replaced air pump and recently blower fan. A good dealer is the key. I had serveral brake and noise problems but convinced dealer to kept car for a week. They replace rotors, oil pump and pan.

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  Acceleration Hesitation - 2003 Volvo S80
  By Harder99 - October 14 - 2:00 am

  We purchased the car for its safety performance and chose the T6 model for the performance and added features. The car is fantastic except for one problem: hesitation during acceleration. The car hesitiates between 1st and 2nd gear under moderate to heavy acceleration. After four trips to the dealer I discovered the hesitation problem is designed into the car to save the tranmission. Volvo is working on a software patch, however, I was told the acceleration hesitation will always be noticed. Why make twin turbo model if the throttle is cut during acceleration?

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  NOT SAFE AT ANY SPEED AFTER 4OK MILES - 2001 Volvo S80
  By Garden State Volvo - October 14 - 2:00 am

  car literally started falling apart after 40K miles. Worst experience was electronic throttle die at 75 MPH, engin eshut down, leaving rocketing down the parkway without any STEERING. Beyond that, car required major egition, air pump/valve, and suspension repairs before 48K. Interior parts are cheap plastic that break regularly...replaced cup holders, air vents, radio face, and center console. Finally, rear visibility is horrible. Most of rear quarter panel and lights is totally blind....thank god I dont live near little children!!! Definetly not in the league with Lexus and Acura

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  re review - 2004 Volvo V70
  By Jim L - October 14 - 2:00 am

  I posted above in a different name and have found that I really LOVE this wagon more and more every day. Yes, I did have to do a slight mod on the seat for my back and the headlights (high beams) are still poor but overall this wagon is a blast to drive and has been 100% reliable now with nearly 5K on it. Wonderful cruiser, I make excuses to drive it, and am driving it much faster than I should be as at speed, its just wonderful.(and very usful in all catagories) Jim

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  NOT BAD BUT NEEDS WORK - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Robert B. - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Comfort level is high in the front but diminisshes as you go rearward. Not really large enough to have 3rd row. After 3000 miles I feel as though the vehicle is definately lacking in size and performance even with the T6. The shifting from 1st to 2nd gear under high acceleration is horrible but, it handles very well. I have the running boards and they will tarnish your pant legs in bad weather. The sound system is very well thought out and sounds great. The same goes fr the seat heaters which work wonderfully. I must admit though I am still upset that Volvo hasnt followed up with the entertainment system for the vehicle.