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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  Odd, but comfortable - 2000 Volvo S70
  By techie - November 6 - 12:06 am

  We bought this car for the safety and the incredibly comfortable seats, but we wouldnt buy another one. It has odd quirks, like the junky cupholders in the front and the lack of any trunk light, that are annoying for a car at this price level. The dangerous trouble with the jerky electronic throttle (ETS) really scared us, especially when we got the bill for the repair. Fortunately, Volvo did the right thing and reimbursed us for the repair and, at least at first, warrantied it for life. However the class action suit for this problem seems to indicate a shorter warranty. Its now a recall, so get it fixed before it stops working altogether.

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  Great but flawed reliability - 2006 Volvo V50
  By Volblow - November 3 - 2:03 pm

  When this car works or isnt being repaired, it is delightful. I love the Scandinavian style, but hate the quality.

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  Good Value for the Money - 2010 Volvo XC90
  By cabotcourt - October 27 - 11:10 pm

  I was apathetic about buying the XC90...too many of them on the road, until I saw the styling of the R-design package...definitely sets itself apart from the pack. The 5 year maintenance/wear and tear program and safety record was what ultimately sold me. Overall, very happy with the vehicle. Just wish it had better gas mileage. A few other minor annoyances like the brake pedal being too close to the gas pedal and the seats seem a bit narrow, but once you get used to these "quirks" they take a back seat to the overall value I think the vehicle offers.

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  Great car! - 2007 Volvo S80
  By gdare - October 25 - 6:53 pm

  Was going to buy another BMW 5 series, but wanted something a little different. Drove a few cars, but came back to the S80 because of price and the fact that I havent seen any on the road. While nothing handles quite like a BMW, Ive been pleasantly surprised with this car. Its super comfortable, has all the bells and whistles (air conditioned seats, nav, keyless ignition), and is a joy to drive. Plus, the stereo system rocks! I plan to put on some 19" or 20" rims. Very cool car with some very cool features.

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  1999 S80 2.9 - 1999 Volvo S80
  By stealer18 - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Ive had few problems that were not covered by warranty. Transmission has had a rough shift and is sluggish. 2000 Download from Volvo fixes much of this.

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  R is a Wolf in Sheeps Clothing - 2007 Volvo S60
  By Kent Lupino - October 21 - 5:11 pm

  Id been looking for a P2 Volvo S60R for many months, and finally found a 2007 1-owner, low mileage example locally that I just couldnt pass up. I purchased it a little over a month ago and so far havent regretted it at all. I should be clear that the R moniker for the 2004-2007 S60 series vehicles indicated a very different kind car than all of the non-R variants. So if you are looking for a review of any S60 model that doesnt have the R badge, you can stop reading and move on to the next review. A significantly re-worked 300HP 5-cylinder engine, sport exhaust, electronically-controlled suspension, Brembo performance disc brakes, and AWD give the S60R a completely different driving character than its siblings. Its quick, nimble, and produces an angry snarl--not too loud or thrashy-- when the tachometer goes over 2k RPM. In terms of styling, the P2 S60s are admittedly divisive. People seem to like it or hate it. I like it. Fortunately, Volvo didnt go overboard with plastic cladding and spoilers on the R models, adding a slightly different front and rear fascia, subtle R badge on the front black cube grille and rear trunk lid, and great-looking 17" 5-spoke alloy wheels. I love the fact that other than the wheels, the car looks a lot like any other S60. Its a classic factory hot rod that looks like a sleeper. The interior is also a step above other S60s, with premium leather sport seats that are amazingly comfortable, and classy real aluminum trim on the doors and center stack. The two things that I love most about the R interior are the subtle contrasting blue stitching on the black areas of the door panels, handbrake, shifter boot, steering wheel, and dashboard and the metallic blue instrument dials. Classy! However, lets just say up front that the downside of the R badge arrives with certain kinds of repair bills. Those 4-piston Brembo brakes are unique to the R, and definitely not cheap to replace. Neither is the big KKK turbocharger. Or the electronically-controlled struts. But if you take care of the car, those kinds of $$$ repairs dont come often. Now, I freely admit that the S60R is no BMW M3 in terms of overall performance, but I love it precisely because its NOT a BMW M3. Nobody expects a pre-Polestar era Volvo to have a sporty character, but this one does, along with the safety and build quality that Volvo is famous for. But instead of flaunting that extra performance for everyone to see, it only reveals its superpower when called upon. Awesome.

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  No room in backseat - 2004 Volvo S60
  By kmkoenke - October 17 - 10:00 am

  No room in the backseat

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  2000 Volvo s80 Dr T-6 - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Coolmo - October 17 - 2:23 am

  This car is the worst car Ive ever own. I saw the mix reviews about this car and was hoping maybe I would get one that was reliable. It turns out I shouldnt make my life career gambling. I bought this car with 80k on it. First it was the motor mounts then it was th shocks and rattle noise. then the check engine light. The the SRS light. Then it would stall once in a while. usually when i try to merge unto the highway. Now i am told the cars computer is not working correctly. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VOLVO. do yourself a favor and take heed to this review(unlike me) stay away from volvo do not buy. especially this model.

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  Middle-of-the-road all around performer - 2008 Volvo XC70
  By bigbuddha - October 15 - 11:50 pm

  1. The 235 hp engine is high on torque but low on kick. Acceleration comes with pretty noticable noise that is at least two notches louder on the car radio scale (i.e. you have to tune the radio louder by at least that much to hear the same volume) 2. NOTE THIS: in a stop-and-go situation (e.g. congested highway), you may feel not-infrequent jerking. It is as if the auto transmission doesnt know which gear to engage. This is particularly so if you just let go the brake or tap on the gas slightly.

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  Its Not Truly Top Quality - 2008 Volvo C70
  By Totally Frustrated - October 14 - 10:20 pm

  I love my C70, but it is not the quality product I expected. Since purchasing it new, I have attempted resolution of a leaking top and windows with no success. Thus far, they have replaced both rear side windows and all the seals. It continues to leak. I only hand wash it with a mild stream of water from garden hose. The leaks persist. I am totally frustrated and am preparing to take this to the media. The local dealership and Volvo will not get my repeat business nor referral.