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:

• 

  S40 T5 - 2005 Volvo S40
  By S40 T5 - June 29 - 3:33 pm

  Awesome car! The turbocharged engine is very powerful and will easily break the front tires loose. I have the sport package w/ dynamic sport suspension and it makes for a great handling car with little body lean. Geartronic automatic transmission is very smooth and fun manual control, it will actually allow you to take off in first, second, or third gear! This car feels very solid and the steering has nice weight and feel. Excellent build quality, everything feels solid and of high quality and nothing creaks, squeaks or rattles. This is a great, fun to drive car.

• 

  Love my XC90! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Love my car!! - June 29 - 1:36 am

  I purchased my Volvo XC90 2.5T in August of 2003, in Sweden. We took advantage of the European Delivery package being offered and had a delightful stay in Sweden, courtesy of Volvos two round trip tickets to Europe, plus hotel acccommodations. We drove around Scandinavia and then returned to the factory, where the car was shipped free of charge. I am getting up to 21 MPG on highway, and average about 18 MPG around town. Service has been excellent and we have had virtually no negative experiences with this car. Its worth every penny. We have also really taken advantage of our third row of seats, a real buying point for us, as I refused to consider a minivan, but wanted additional room.

• 

  Neverending - 1999 Volvo V70
  By Ryan - June 27 - 11:26 pm

  Everywhere I turn, its not a huge repair, but its many little things that go all at once. The dash lights died altogether, and after doing that, the radio and climate control wouldnt light up (individually burnt bulbs). Lots of rattles, that you eventually learn to live with (welcome to the Volvo Family). Electronic seat stopped a few times.

• 

  Worth The Wait - GO VOLVO - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By HOT SUV - June 26 - 10:00 am

  What an awesome SUV. After the first one I ordered sank on the boat in December, I was lucky enough to secure a similar vehicle from my local dealer. The interior is beautiful, the T5 engine is plenty, and the ride quality is terrific and quiet. BMW X% was $6000 more and had 1/2 the equipment and lousy base stereo with single CD. The BMW has a choppy ride as well. Very trucklike, unlike the XC90. Great job Volvo...

• 

  Not a well made car - 2003 Volvo S60
  By ah1530 - June 26 - 10:00 am

  In the first 19 months, my S60 has had to have fixed or replaced the door lock sensors (2x), the brake rotors, the power steering tank - first week of ownership, new front headlight wiring and lights, another short in the rear brake light (2x), new transmission (top off valve first whole new trans. later), left inner steering arm, rear sway bar supports, and an annoying rattle in the front over bumps. Also, scheduled maintenance is outrageously expensive - $471 last month.

• 

  Not so good - 2005 Volvo S40
  By no good - June 26 - 8:06 am

  Was alright in the beginning. Then started having problems after a year or so. We have had multiple problems with the A/C and the heater. At least once a year we have had to deal with these issues. Just recently broke down 3 times in the past month. Definitely doesnt live up to all the hype of Volvos. Wouldnt recommend this car after the past month.

• 

  Great Car - 2002 Volvo S60
  By holmgren - June 24 - 9:13 pm

  This car has been reliable and trouble-free for the first 8000 miles. The base with the 5-spd has plenty of get up and go for most driving situations. Car handles great in the snow and rain, especially with Stability Traction Control. A great car for the money if you take it easy on options. Highly recommend the Volvo Overseas Delivery program unless you can get a great deal off the lot.

• 

  Very happy even years later - 2004 Volvo S80
  By BWS2010 - June 22 - 7:30 pm

  Its unfortunate that these other owners have had a lot of problems. I have had very little problems. My cig lighter will blow every once in a while, but its when Im running 2 chargers at the same time so I just keep extra 20 AMP fuses in the car. The drink holders are no the best designs, but overall I have had no serious problems.

• 

  Sweet Ride - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By RJ - June 22 - 4:20 am

  Ive had my XC-60, 3.2, premium/climate for 2 months, it is awesome. Sporty yet super comfortbale interior and an overall quality product.

• 

  Best Car Ive Ever Owned - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By Richardrogo - June 20 - 10:00 am

  My prior car was a 1999 S80 on which everything broke, so I was hesitant to buy it, persuaded only by my test drive, its sleek appearance, all-wheel drive and of course the discount in February. Nearly 6,000 miles on this car and its the best car Ive every owned. Solid, comfortable ride, Volvo safety, damn good looking in black, and that advanced all wheel drive to keep me from getting stuck in the snow again. Whats more, this five cylinder 208 HP low pressure turbo wants to kick ass and I have to restrain myself at traffic lights. For me, this car offers more value and better looks than the SUV (sorry Volvo, this is the one you ought to promote)!!