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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  Great Car!!!! - 2007 Volvo C70
  By WIlliam - January 5 - 7:56 am

  This is a really great car to have!! I did however have a problem with the wiring in the retracting of my top. But overall a really fun and superb car to have. A 10++++ in the WOW factor.

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  Excellent Car - 2000 Volvo S40
  By Sriniv - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I am seeing so many bad reviews on this site and wondering why all these people are having so much trouble with this car while I had no problems at all - Well except the Check engine sign. I drive this car more than most people - 45K in less than 3 years. It is still as much fun to drive as it was on day one. In fact the engine seems to be getting smoother by the day. I take frequent long trips in this car (>6 hours) and I can honestly say the trips are comfortable. There are some interior design problems such as the front cup holder but it is not so bad that I would give it a 3 or 4 rating.

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  love this car - 2000 Volvo S70
  By volvodriver1 - January 4 - 2:00 am

  last of the S70. The SE model has it all - winter package and turbo engine give it a boost. Love those seats

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  Amazing car!!! Best I have ever owned!!! - 2007 Volvo S80
  By bdhulk - January 1 - 4:43 am

  This car is fun to drive, gets great gas mileage, and is by far the safest car i have ever owned (which has become very important to me with a new baby!). I have owned both Mercedes and BMWs in the recent past, and this car is more exciting, and has more cool features than either one of those! there is this thing call the BLIS (blind spot information system) that tells you if someone is in your blind with a light on the front A pillar... Very cool, and useful!

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  Enjoying my new S60 - 2013 Volvo S60
  By keithv - December 31 - 8:37 pm

  Only about 400 miles on the car so far, so still breaking it in. The car is smooth and very comfortable, and Im enjoying the T5s engine, which has better and smoother pickup than the VW EOS I traded in. For the money, I dont think there is a car on the road with more comfortable seats than the Volvo. The infotainment system is pretty intuitive. There is a bit of wind noise in the cabin. So far getting 23 MPG on regular, which should improve a bit when broken in. The sales staff at Maroone/AutoNation Volvo in Delray Beach were easy to work with, and very accomodating when I had to factory order the car to get the ext/int combination I wanted. I also got a very fair deal & trade.

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  My XC90! - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Platy - December 30 - 2:00 am

  After waiting for 3 months, I was one of the first people to pick up their XC90. I am happy to say that the wait was well worth it! The ride is beautiful. Its alot easier to park than I expected it to be, and the 6cd stereo has alot of features.

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  Bought 2 will buy more - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By Volvo almost lost me - December 29 - 6:53 am

  I had to dump my 2000 XC because of continuing problems. I almost didnt buy another but my wife wanted to try a new model. I bought a 2004 with 18000 miles. I have to admit. huge change. Good engine power, seats, and lots of room. I have had zero problems with the 2004 and Volvo has kept me around for a few more years. Great in the snow and rain. I actually had to save a friend that got stuck in his Tahoe. Mine just rolled right thru 5 inches of snow, no problem. Hint: you need good tires. XC70 will eat tires if you dont rotate them every 5000 miles.

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  Volvo for Life. - 2001 Volvo S80
  By alansquier - December 27 - 6:10 pm

  Let me first remind you that you get what you pay for. I bought my s80 with 150k. It now has 175k. I use synthetic oil and have its services performed by a certified Volvo mechanic. Aside from common repairs (tie rods, tires, break pads), the most costly repair was an engine coil spring, which cost me $550. I purchased this car for three reasons; safety, comfort, and style. It has exceeded my expectations with reliability and performance as well. This is my second Volvo (my first being a 240dl). Guess what my next car is going to be.

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  Glad I chose the XC70 - 2007 Volvo XC70
  By first time owner - December 27 - 1:50 pm

  After thinking about it for a long time, I narrowed down my choice of cars to the XC70, Honda Element and Outback. Drove all 3 back to back. Bought the 2007 XC70 with 30k miles for a great price, especially with a trade-in of my 16 year old Toyota 4-runner! I thought there was not comparison between the Volvo and the Outback....I know the Outback has a good reputation, but the XC70 has blown me away (imagine moving from a 1993 4-runner to a 2007 XC70). It is such a joy to drive, and although I cant compare it to other cars in its class, I think it handles and rides incredibly. It is so solid and quiet and the interior is like sitting in your favorite leather chair.

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  8.5 years of the same vehicle - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Pete - December 26 - 9:23 pm

  I have owned this car since purchased new in August of 2000. I love driving the car, handling is crisp. I have got over 30 mpg on several occasions. It is so comfortable to drive and ride in, the seats are perfect for almost every body type. I had the same transmission problem that people mention on this website.