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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  Absolutely love it! - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By Joe - September 29 - 9:50 pm

  Bought the XC90 over the Lexus GX470 and Acura MDX. Less expensive, better safety rating, better 3rd row seat configuration than Lexus; better interior features/finish and seemed more solid vehicle than MDX. We have put 7100 miles on it in about 3 months and have really, really enjoyed it. In- line 6-cylinder engine has plenty of power and fuel economy has been 22 mpg highway and about 18 mpg in town. This is very good considering the weight of the vehicle and the performance it has on the road, acceleration, etc. Also has great cargo room with the 2nd and 3rd row seats folded down.

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  Very disappointed - 2001 Volvo S40
  By BadLuck - September 29 - 8:03 pm

  Bought my 2001 Volvo S40 and after 3 years, I had the enjoyment of trading it in for a Mercury Mountaineer SUV! Im a big guy: 6 feet 200 and I was sick and tired of receiving a head concussion every time I stooped down to get in this vehicle. A/C never worked right and not cold enough despite multiple trips to Volvo dealer. CD player constantly skips even with entire new factory Volvo unit. Intrument panel/radio/cup holder ENTIRELY NON-USER FRIENDLY and confusing! Only good thing was turbo engine was quite peppy and good gas mileage. Because this car was so small and multitude of creature "dis- comforts" that it had, I had the pleasure of dumping it for a nice big SUV. Whew..what a relief!!

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  Great car - 2007 Volvo S40
  By ndotym - September 28 - 11:30 pm

  I bought this car off the Culver City Volvo web. I saw this car and had to have it, no regrets, 55,000 just replace the rear brakes, no problems, fun to drive, handles great very comfortable, great sound system. I get lots of looks some say its a females car, I dont care. It handles great, safe in the wet weather. Volvo makes a great product.

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  From one car guy to another - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By Jeff V - September 28 - 3:35 pm

  This is a really great SUV. Classic Styling, spacious and well appointed interior and just the right amount of prestige. And then you look more closely. I really want to love this car and, truthfully, I just got done telling my wife that its been a good car for us. Nearly 10 years and 115,000 miles without any real problems. I mean, the transmission has slipped or done mildly sporadic shifting a couple dozen time throughout owning the car but were one of the lucky few whos transmission hasnt failed them (do lots of research on the transmissions around 2004-2007). Weve been diligent about regularly scheduled service (which is not inexpensive at all) but have not had any major surprises or mechanical issues. Still, It looks great, has a ton of conveniences and is very comfortable so I really wish I loved it more than I actually have. In the end, its a small taste of luxury but upon closer look its built with low quality parts that scratch, break or rattle more than they should. It drives as though its twice the size and twice the [already heavy] weight. Pot holes are jarring and it eats through tires (AWD) and brakes faster than my 5 yr. old crushes a juice box. Did this car treat me well? Absolutely. Would I buy this again? If it was brand new and I was paying with someone elses money. Sincerely, The hypercritical, undecided Dude

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  vroom - 2005 Volvo S40
  By williston - September 28 - 10:00 am

  The T5 has a fantastic balance of performace and comfort. The attention to detail in this car is remarkable.

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  $50000 Lemons with multiple recalls - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Angela O. - September 28 - 2:30 am

  Purchased for safety and reliability of Volvo. Mistake! Wonderful for the first 2 1/2 yr even with multiple recalls, then at 56k mi the problems started. Over last 12 mths I have spent over $4000 on repairs including 4 tire replacement (not the cheap ones!)twice within 10k mi and brake repacement twice within 8k mi. Now AWD is not functioning and the battery goes dead due to malfuctioning module. I am told that I must replace at my expense the AWD module and brake module for approx $3000-$4000! Cmon Volvo thats not normal wear-n- tear...thats a recall! No more Volvos for me!

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  C30: rare, wonderful, comfortable, and so attractive - 2013 Volvo C30
  By coloradocarnut - September 27 - 9:59 pm

  This is really a lovely car. We purchased the last 13 new in July14. Auto trans, T-5. Did TONS of research beforehand. We are a Toyota/Honda family, so European is a departure, with trepidation. We have the Premier Plus package, not R-Design. Thus far, the car is beyond expectations; a joy to drive, beautiful to look at, and well made. Its QUIET inside, very powerful, and so different. You wont see them often, which is nice too. Its not a high performance hatch, and thats good, because we didnt want that. For those w/o kids, and a different hauling vehicle, this is a great commuter that spoils with luxury, is safe, and gives you confidence. No problems so far.

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  First and LAST! DO NOT BUY - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Sarah McCarthy - September 27 - 2:20 am

  I purchased this vehicle and within 60 days these were replaced: blower motor, locking mechanism on fuel door, entire rear differential, front rotars and Brakes, latches on 3rd row seats, 2 wheel bearings, and 4 new tires. I am very sad because I LOVED how it looked and felt- but it literally is falling apart underneath me. I will never purchase another Volvo XC90 and wouldnt recommend it to anyone.

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  2007 Volvo XC90 - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By Pablo - September 26 - 10:53 am

  Its the best SUV Ive ever driven, even better than the new X5 and Cayenne and you can get it for a lot less money. In addition is safer and looks better. Best decision Ive made so far regarding a car buy.

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  BEST compact car ever! - 2006 Volvo S40
  By LOVE IT!!!!! - September 26 - 5:06 am

  I went on a "rainy" day just to keep it safe and not make a purchase knowing i had other cars to consider. Well, that certaintly didnt work as planned because once I drove the automatic knowing I ONLY wanted a manual in the rain, I could not believe the stability. I felt so safe cause Im such a chicken when it comes to driving in the rain that it sold itself! Though Im so picky I had to do a special order (Manual, Red, Climate, Sport & Select Pkg w/ beige interior) and cant wait for it to come from Europe. The premium sounds is out of control too. Its going to be a looker. I must say its a chicks car- Definitely!