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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  RUN AWAY!!!! - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Tired - September 14 - 2:00 am

  Have had to replace the ABS master control system, the fan for the AC, the compressor, and the power-steering reservoir. Auto-dimming rearview mirror blew a seal and costs $530+ to replace, (luckily it still reflects so no-go there), I have had to replace a broken headlight at $300+, AND the dealership could not figure out why the car would not start and they had the car for OVER ONE MONTH!!! Volvo does not allow the computers need to repair the car to independent auto shops, so you are forced to utilize their INCOMPETENT mechanics at their dealership.well boys & girls, they cannot fix their own cars. RUN FAR, FAR AWAY!!

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  New S40 T5 is a great ride - 2004 Volvo S40
  By Morvran - September 14 - 2:00 am

  Volvos used to be too plain for my tastes...but not anymore. From the second you see the new S40 you realize this isnt your mothers Volvo. It has a much more aggressive look than their other sedans (much more so than their older S40s), especially with the sport package. The interior is just as nice. They have changed the navigation system controls for the better. The driver now has more of a joystick on the wheel to cycle through options, which makes it SO easy to use. There is also still a remote control.

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  2012 Volvo s60 T5 - 2012 Volvo S60
  By jiml94 - September 13 - 7:03 pm

  I have been a Volvo owner for 40 years owning Volvos from 1972 to 2012. The 2012 S60 has been a refreshing change from "Your Uncle Olafs Volvo". My 2012 has 22,000 miles and has been problem free to date. The OEM Continental tires have worn to unacceptable tread depth with (2) near sidewall flats and a cut sidewall near the rim edge. These low profile tires do not have a rim protection bead and my other driver has scraped the wheel rims near concrete curbs . I have recently changed out these tires for Michelin Pilot AS3 tires which has a nice rim protection bead. Car did not have a spare tire and I opted for a emergency spare which reduces trunk capacity a lot.

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  Not too shabby - 2013 Volvo XC60
  By leprof - September 12 - 9:15 pm

  After comparing and doing research for many months, I bought this car new mostly for the design (exterior and interior) and value. It is a very sharp looking little SUV, and for its class, it is reasonably priced! The Bluetooth and technology interface works perfectly, and I find the controls to be fairly easy to navigate. A couple of annoying things about it are the slow acceleration and some comfort issues. I am 64", and my leg rests against the sharp edge of the middle console too much. Overall, I like it a lot, and I have had no problems with it mechanically so far.

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  Fun, comfort, annoying quality issues - 2002 Volvo S60
  By RAS - September 12 - 6:26 pm

  Exceptional value for the price. Styling, comfort, safe and firm feel all make this a pleasure to own. We did experience many problems that were annoying, but the overall experience overshadows the design and quality shortfalls. I am considering a newer (2007) S60 AWD purchase and will likely keep this one for my daughter to use. Front wheel drive was just adequate in snow. Next time Id buy AWD. Transmission shift problem required three dealer visits to fix during early warranty period. Fuel filler door broke off. Headlamps and tail light bulbs constantly burn out.

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  Love my 99 V70R AWD Wagon - 1999 Volvo V70
  By Casey Milroy - September 9 - 11:08 pm

  Great off the line acceleration and goes well on the road when the tranny downshifts and Turbo kicks in. Granted, a car this old will have some Turbo Lag for sure, but a 1983 Porsche 911 Turbo also spools up a bit slowly. Mileage isnt outstanding around town or highway compared to new cars. Thing is, its comfortable and can haul your stuff. I love this low roofed 2 box design. The different front Fascia w/ fog lights, wheels, rear air deflector etc make it the best looking Volvo wagon. I added the factory twin or dual exhaust which the 1999 didnt come with. I tinted the windows, dark in the back, legal on front windows. I also added IPD super headlights, which work better and look real cool. The mids, tweets and subs add up to the best, most balanced stereo Ive had. Some things arent ideal...costs a lot to service...I was spending $1000/yr average for service when driving a lot. Now Im retired. Mine is different than some Ive ridden in...it is quiet w/o creaks, groans and rattles (which drive me crazy). The interior is in good shape w/o tears etc. The defroster could work better. Uses about a quart (one of 6 quarts/oil change) every 3000 miles which is more than acceptable. I have used full synthetic oil since I bought it 50,000 miles ago, changing it every 3-5000 miles. I dont want to change my car. Not to mention, as a Volvo Wagon...its invisible to the general population. I have no children and am divorced, Ive just always found the boxy design to be functional.

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  Run! - 2000 Volvo S80
  By shade56 - September 9 - 10:53 am

  Purchased this car for our daughter. Volvo=safe and reliable ,right? Wrong! This car had its 60k check up before we purchased. One owner, immaculate care, extended warranty so every squeak was addressed and car had 59k on it. Took it in for timing chain replacement (knew it would be considerable), but two days before, ABS, check engine, dipped beam messages popped up, and the passenger window refused to roll up the last inch. Well, the dealer that gave the car a clean bill of health 4 mo. ago, now says it is going to take $7,000 to fix. Are you kidding me? Says our best bet is to trade it in...they will give us $3,500 for it. Oh, Ford owns Volvo now.

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  What A Great Car - 1998 Volvo V70
  By tostik - September 9 - 5:07 am

  Found a 1998 v70xc last year (2010) at a used car dealership with a 104,000 miles on it. The dealer had all the maintenance records, which showed a trip to the dealership every 5,000 miles. The interior and exterior looked brand new--the back seat looked like it had never been ridden in. Obviously garaged and pampered by the prior owner. I had to fix a broken motor mount, and the rear hatch struts were weak, which I replaced. About $450 for both. It now has a 121,000 miles on it and has been trouble-free. My independent Volvo mechanic is jealous. He says the 1998 and earlier volvos are tougher than the current ones. Finding a good independent volvo mechanic will save you lots of money.

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  Thank goodness for my S60 - 2004 Volvo S60
  By luvmys60 - September 8 - 10:00 am

  I recently bought a brand-new 2004 Saab 9-3 Arc and it was a very nice car, the only problem was that it had too many problems. No, this wasnt a display model. Under the lemon law, Saab bought my car back and I switched to a brand-new 2004 Volvo S60 2.5T and I am proud to say that I am very well pleased. The seats are slightly more comfortable than the 9-3 and the interior feels richer. The speaker system is (out of a possible 10) 0.1 points away from beating the 9-3s speaker system. Well, Im must happier that I switched to a Volvo!

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  Love this car! - 2011 Volvo C70
  By Doug - September 8 - 9:30 am

  I love this car. It is a head turner for sure. The ride and feel are great. Very solid mechanically. Complaints, well I frequently flip the wipers on when I turn the ignition on, but maybe thats just big hands. I seem to fill up often, but thats a function of small tank and not poor mileage. Any negatives you find about this car a far offset by all the positives. The fold down hardtop is unbelievable. Ive had passengers in who didnt realize it was a convertible. Buy this car, you will love it as much as I do.