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 - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Greg - February 10 - 4:06 am

  I love this vehicle. Had a few small problems with accessories and small parts, but nothing major.

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  First car! - 2007 Volvo S40
  By NIick - February 8 - 2:13 pm

  So this is my first car ever. I saved up and bought it and so far Im pleased with it. Its quiet on the inside and the ride is semi smooth. Seats are comfortable. I love the controls on the steering wheel. Big trunk. The dash is different but unique and awesome.

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  Very Nice... - 2004 Volvo S60
  By PDaddy - February 7 - 10:00 am

  Purchased w/ the premium and sport packages. Ive only had it a couple of weeks but I look forward to every opportunity to take it out. The ride is smooth, comfortable and peppy. As for roominess, Im 62" and 175 lbs. My girls fit nicely in the back seats but adults are a little more cramped, however thats expected in a sport sedan. The turbo gives it the added power it needs. I test drove the non- turbo and found it to be too lacking in the power dept. Seats are very comfortable and the stereo is above average and easy to work. Hope to have a more thorough review after I put more miles on it. Im looking forward to those miles!

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  Headlights crack - 2003 Volvo S80
  By headlights - February 7 - 10:00 am

  I do love my S80. I have two complaints. I need more lumber support, and the headlights keep cracking!!! I had one crack in April, and figured somebody hit it. The other one cracked two days ago. That time it was just parked in the sun. If you have had this problem, or any other, seriously, dont just post to this board. Go to WWW.NHTSA.COM and enter a complaint. If that transmission slips and the brakes fail, THEY need to know about it.

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  Dependability, Reliability & Performance - 1999 Volvo S70
  By CDD - February 7 - 10:00 am

  Great car for high mileage drivers. I purchased my 99 S70 GLT in late 09/2002 and have already put 50K miles on the car. Mileage is now approaching 97K. My 1993 850 GLT had over 215K when is was wrecked & totaled in 2002. We also bought a 99 V70 in 07/2002. Both cars have required minimal service except routing maintenance. The turbo in the S70 GLT definitely makes a difference in acceleration, especially if you have passengers and/or a full trunk.

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  AR1 - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Andres Rojo - February 7 - 10:00 am

  Great riding, flexible cargo space, comfortable to sleep in long trips (comment from my son Francisco, frequet passenger).

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  excellent choice - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By kevkev - February 7 - 10:00 am

  just got the car and its great, considered the ml350, aviator, and discovery. The volvo was the best bet all around. It is the Safest suv on the road, best gas mileage of the ones we tested, unique look while still be functional.

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  My 1999 Volvo S70 sedan experience - 1999 Volvo S70
  By David - February 4 - 12:23 am

  Bought the car new and have ever since. Volvos are not worth original luxuary prices. Overall experience is okay. The 162 hp engine is too small for the car. For 172 hp, one needs to add turbo($2000 extra). At high speed with A/C running, it has no power left to pass. Interior noise and engine whinning at low speed are annoying. Suspension is too stiff and you feel all bumps. It has been pretty much trouble free and dependable so far. Good looking and excellent paint job and A/C. Master brake failed at 55000 mile. Repair is very expensive. Depreciation of all Volvos are abominable for European automobile. As bad as Jaguar.

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  We Love It! - 2005 Volvo V50
  By Natty Sargent - February 2 - 2:56 pm

  Looked at BMW 3-Series, Audi A4 and nobody could touch the Volvo value. The Audi dealership admitted that without Fords support, they just couldnt compete on price. The performance speaks for itself if you trust the reviews and specs. We bought the 2005 V50 T5 in lieu of the straight 2.4 only because of review comments. We drove both and really couldnt tell the difference when driving like a sane person. The additional options that we purchased were worth it. We got everything but the navigation pkg. and back up sensors.

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  In Love With Our T6! - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Don Steeler - February 1 - 2:00 am

  We couldnt be happier! Our T6 is black and it packed with great features. The luxury and ride is like nothing weve owned before. The reliabilty has been great! In almost 90,000 miles, only two minor repairs under warranty plus regular maintenance of course, and thats it! Maintenance costs have actually been quite low especially compared to our last car (Infiniti Q45). Luxury cars weve owned over the years are a Lexus SC400, Infiniti Q45, and a BMW 325i. The S80 T6 is better than anything weve owned. If you want a good luxury car with good reliability buy this car! Best choice for under $50,000.