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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  2001 Volvo V40 - 2001 Volvo V40
  By Volvo convert - December 25 - 8:36 pm

  My Corolla was totaled while parked on the street (who could have foreseen that?!), so in replacing it I was thinking safety, which the V40 has in droves (save for stability control, which was reserved for $40K cars in 2001). The V40 has turned out to be an ideal compromise between all the things I want in a car. While it doesnt excel in any one category (except for safety and comfort, Volvos trademarks), the V40 does everything pretty darn well! You dont have to trade efficiency for performance, you get both at above average levels. Same for size vs. cargo space, handling vs. ride; all the places where you expect to give up one thing to get another. Handles everything you throw at it.

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  What more could you want? - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Richard Phillips - December 24 - 2:10 am

  This is probably the best designed car I have had. Excellent ergonomics. Reliable. Lots of thought went into this car. This car is great on the highway and on dirt roads. The car has power, hugs the road during rain, and is fun to drive. After road trips, Im ready to do things. Great seats! The interior and exterior color scheme is excellent. Good to look at and functional. No sunlight reflecting off of the dashboard. Nice leather stitching and interior combinations. Great sound system. Just a good car.

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  My 2nd Volvo - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By n110151 - December 23 - 7:06 am

  This is the 2nd Volvo that I have owned & this one thus far, has lived up to my expectations just like my first Volvo. I have owned both GM & Ford fully loaded SUVs & this one in all areas far exceeds them. There is more cargo space & Id also have to say that my passengers have stated the rear seating is most comfortable & the width of the door swinging open, entrance & exiting was very easy. The one draw back to this vehicle is the extra option of the running boards I had added as they are too high & do not add to the ease in entering or exiting the vehicle. In summary, Ill probably never own another brand of vehicle but a Volvo, just not sure if in the future Ill need a SUV.

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  Impressed - 2004 Volvo S60
  By volvoguy6 - December 23 - 2:15 am

  When I bought this car I had some serious questions about weather I had done the right thing or not. I did have to put some $$$$ into it to catch the maintenace up, but I knew that going in. A month later and Im in love! This is my 3rd Volvo the other 2 were from a time when a Volvo was a Volvo so I was very skeptical when I bought this one. The body design is what really caught my attention and after doing research I was sold. The car gets an amazing 30mpg on the hwy (at 70 mph) and its also fairly efficent in town so the fact it needs premium is not that big of an issue. The seats are very comfortable and the car stops on a dime. Im really very happy with it so far.

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  Volvo Smooth - 2008 Volvo C30
  By Dave - December 22 - 9:23 pm

  This car is great. It zips around like a sportster, while being extremely comfortable, smooth riding and safe. It has average acceleration and fuel economy if you accelerate at 2,500 - 3,000 rpms. But hammer down the gas pedal and at 5,000 - 5,500 rpms you are getting a thrust of acceleration. Of course that thrust comes at a price of lower fuel economy.

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  4th Set of Tires with just 83,00 miles - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By doglady2 - December 22 - 7:27 am

  I have had my SUV since the end of 2004. I have just gone through my fourth set of tires at 83,000 miles. Volvo Customer Service takes zero responsibility for this obvious problem. They blamed it on the three tire manufacturers. Also, it is a very expensive car to repair and maintain. At 78,000 miles I replaced 5 ignition coils for a total of $345.00 in just parts no labor, Upper engine mount repair for $579.00. At 75,000 miles I had to replace the fuel pump, Idler pully, timing bel,t tentioner, brake vac switch, etc. Even in the beginning I had to replace the brakes and front rotors at 22,000 miles. Think twice

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  Disappointing Quality - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By RG - December 21 - 4:33 pm

  Weve always wanted to have Volvo and finally weve saved enough to buy one. What a disappointment! In the past 6 months we have to bring in the car three times to be fixed ranging from electrical problems to detached trim. This is worse than my first car, a mere Ford Escort!

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  Kept me safe - 2005 Volvo V70
  By Francisca - December 20 - 1:43 pm

  Ive owned three Volvos. I just had an accident in my 2005 and it kept me safe! Air bags deployed and car was totaled, but I remained safe. I am now shopping around for another v70. Cant say enough about the 2004 and 2005. Attractive but solid!

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  Exceeding Expectations - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Camster - December 20 - 2:00 am

  This is our first Volvo. I had thought that I would never own a Volvo due to their older, boxy models that did not appeal to me. But their newer, current models caught my attention, and when we test drove the S-60 we were quite impressed. To get a comprable car with the plush interior and performance engine, such as BMW or Mercedes, youd have to pay about $10K more. Alternatively, you could get an Accura TL which is comprable in price, performance and size, but it looks and feels cheap compared to the Volvo S- 60.

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  Great Car - 2001 Volvo S60
  By marlito - December 20 - 2:00 am

  With the impending arrival of my daughter, my wife persauded me to get her the S60, little did she know that it has now become "my" car. As to the car seat issue, we have never had a problem. While you cant have the front seats all the way back, there is still room. I am 61" and put the car seat behind the drivers seat and only have to slide the drivers up a inch or two; when ever my wife has the car, she puts the car seat behind the passenger seat with out any problems.