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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  Most Comfortable Car Around - 2004 Volvo V70
  By DonMX5 - March 19 - 2:00 am

  The Volvo V70 is by far the most comfortable car Ive owned in my 52 years of car ownership. While our Lexus in superior to all ever owned in build quality, when it comes to a road trip we always take the Volvo as one can drive long hours and still arrive feeling fresh and relaxed. I often go out to the Volvo to do my reading as the seats are more comfortable than my favorite easy chair.

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  2004 V 70 - 2004 Volvo V70
  By Sumrsail - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I ordered my V 70 and gotit the last of June 03.Drove it on a 4500 mile trip in October.Got 32 mpg on flat land through the desert and 27 to 29 in the mountains.So far with almost 10k on the clock absoutly 0 problems. Most comfortable leather seats ive ever seen in a vehicle.Smooth and quiet ride with no wind noise ,even at 100 mph, with sports car like handling.Very responsive road manners.This makes my 3rd Volvo,since 1978

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  S80 owner - 2nd time - 2004 Volvo S80
  By Leo L - March 19 - 2:00 am

  Great ride, smooth performance, very responsive to breaking and accelaration - superior quality! Owned a 2K S80 which was totalled in a meeting with a power pole (perfect safety performance in the accident with no broken glass and no significant injuires). I immediately came back for the 2004 2.9. Easy to drive, very adequate acceleration at highway speeds.

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  A Great Family SUV - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By VolvoOwner - March 19 - 2:00 am

  Waited for 2004 model such that any 1st year kinks can be fixed. Well, not sure whether if there were any major kinks in the 2003 model but overall the 2004 is a great SUV. Handles great, good road feel, plus the Volvo safety features to boot. After taking delivery, found a loose washer rolling along the moonroof groove and the side door latch came loose. Dealer took care of that quickly. Have been a joy to drive so far.

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  Two Thumbs Up - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Bobb - March 19 - 2:00 am

  We Love our Volvo xc90!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We love it, our kids love it its Greatttttt! its good in snow and rain and ice and sun and fog and dark and light its Greatttt!

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  Stealth - 2007 Volvo V70
  By Otoman - March 19 - 1:50 am

  This has been a fantastic car. Very comfortable for the long haul with outstanding seats, lots of cargo room and best of all, it flies! No one expects that a Volvo wagon can move so quickly. I often have cars trying to pass me on the right/cut me off, etc. I can easily close down any hole in the traffic with this car. Passing/merging is fun. Blitzing down interstate on-ramps is a joy. Clover leaf on-ramps are a treat as well. The upgraded sound system is worth the money. If you want a lot of go with very little show, this is your car.

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  Go for it! - 2007 Volvo XC70
  By James - March 18 - 9:42 am

  I bought this car with 99,600 miles on it and paid $9,995, capitalizing on its fairly low resale value. Since then, Ive put over 31,000 miles on it in just a year. While my fuel economy has not been impressive, especially coming from a 2011 Outback, I have been impressed with what the XC70 has to offer. Mid-way through the first year I was hit with some high repair costs, as a rear wheel bearing, front ball joint and a tie rod needed to be replaced. I was initially upset, but once I got the car back all of the things that annoyed me driving it had been fixed! Sometimes ignorance is not bliss. Who knew? This past summer I was living/working in Montana, and took this thing on countless miles of forest service backroads. It handled things I honestly thought it wouldnt be able too, including an accidental trip on a 4WD only road. If youre looking at this year range for an Outback or XC70, I would recommend the Volvo. You can get a lot more for your money in terms of packaging, material quality and comfort. However, be ready to spend more time as the gas station using premium and the potential for higher maintenance costs. That being said, I have had no real issues in a year and a lot of the maintenance is easy enough to do on your own and save tons of money. Two year update: Somehow this car has gotten better with age. Now with 150K on the odometer, it honestly drives better than the day I got it. I had to replace the rear suspension at the beginning of the summer but with the car being 10 years old and me constantly overloading it, I wasnt surprised. I would 100% buy this car again and am putting off getting a new outback because I love it so much. Go for it!

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  sleek awesome car - 2007 Volvo S40
  By njs40 - March 17 - 6:06 pm

  i have not had this car very long, but i have always loved this body style, and when i saw it online i had to have it. it drives like a sports car, and gets decent mpgs.

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  New Family Addition - 2008 Volvo XC70
  By rwhome - March 16 - 7:36 pm

  Ever since giving up on the Chrysler because of its poor performance and gas guzzling tendencies, this vehicle provides the ideal alternative. Better cachet and a much more maneuverable package, the Volvo matches or exceeds all the Pacifica benefits, then goes further with laser enhanced cruise control, satellite stereo, built-in child seats, and a really effective bluetooth system. still, I wish it were more economical.

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  My experience with the v50 2.4i - 2005 Volvo V50
  By dave - March 16 - 12:30 pm

  I owned a 240 for 16 years. Liked it, but, not driving in snow. The v50 has the features Im interested in: safety, comfortable seats, easy to drive in traffic, easy to park. The front wheel drive with snow tires have been excellent. I dont feel that AWD is necessary. I have been concerned about reliability, but, so far the only problem has been squeaky brakes when backing up. Problem has been intermittent and dealer has been very supportive. Problem not totally gone, but, only happens on rare occassions now. The car has been reliable and it is fun to drive. I like the car and I intend to keep it.