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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  Do not even consider this car - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Ken K - September 7 - 5:16 pm

  I have had this car for nearly four years. From the beginning it has had problems with multiple noises, loose fittings, frequent brake repairs, poor shifting with multiple volvo attmempts to correct, front suspension problems, horrendous brake dust, and the list goes on. If you like visiting the repair shop frequently, this is the car for you

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  Dont let the looks fool you!!!! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By london247 - September 7 - 4:21 pm

  If youre thinking about buying this car please dont, I bought used, had it for less than a year and it was in the shop three time,with the fee being not less than $1,000 when I found out I had a few leak. I sold is as is. Glad to be rid of the piece of junk. Oh but the car looked beautiful!

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  Volvo - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By VolvoSucks - September 7 - 12:26 am

  Do NOT, NOT buy this model. I got it with little more than 80Kmiles, for less than 3 months and I am experiencing severe transmission problems. I made some research about this type of problem and it seems that most XC90s, specially 2005 and early have this transmission problem. The worst part is that the warranty I bought it with, will not cover until after 90days of the purchase. It was a good car until the transmission issue experience.

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  Fun to drive; lacks pep though. - 2006 Volvo S40
  By thechief - September 5 - 4:06 pm

  I was surprised when I first drove it. The handling feels great although it just needs a bit more power. After the first year, the car wont start after I filled up with gas so I had to call 24-hour roadside support (which I like).

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  damn nice car - 2005 Volvo S60
  By wes - September 5 - 6:53 am

  never owned a volvo..image thing, til i drove a friends..wow. this 2.5t really scoots and my wife loves the nav system. if there was one complaint, and its mild, it;s the turning circle. I had a back operation almost 2 yrs ago, these seats allow me to drive for hours! never thought i could do that again. love the performance and brakes

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  Over Rated - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By Carl - September 5 - 2:20 am

  We have owned this vehcile less than 60 days and have had to have the front right blinker light replaced( cracked at factory), have replaced the cam shaft value as it "popped off" leaving a large oily mess and the 90 portion of the XC90 emblem on the back had to be straightened as it was installed crooked at the factory. We are averaging 17 miles per gallon and this is FWD ! We did get a "good" deal based on the over $40K sticker price and final price of $36,250 with dealer cash and X plan discount. This is our first Volvo and may be our last. Traded our Infiniti and have had second thoughts many times.

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  Great but not perfect - 2004 Volvo S60
  By ChampaignBlue - September 3 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. Awesome value. Great blend of a high performance sedan and family truckster. Get the manual tranny. The car is awesome in the snow but do get some snow tires. This car will run with Audi/BMW/MB for less $. I love the variable suspension. Unlike an M3, it wont shake your teeth loose in daily commuting. I love the subtle exterior styling. I have had problems with brake squeal and have already had new brake pads (free). I have scuffed 3/4 of the rims at drive throughs. The radio is a bit too complex to operate. The clutch is a bit springy and engages a bit too high. It took a few weeks before I got used to the clutch.

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  DONT buy a Volvo - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By teddym - September 2 - 4:04 pm

  My XC-90 is horrible, front to back. Friends don’t let friends buy volvo’s. Treatment from the volvo dealerships in Houston is horrible, unless you are super rich, they will certainly hook you up, otherwise, bring your checkbook. You pay out the nose to own a volvo. My xc-90? 3 sets of wheel bearings burned out, the rear end went out, the fuel pump has already been replaced, the CURRENT check engine light issue will cost me $1,000, just put $1,500 into it to get the steering column to work again, the Houston dealership seriously jacked me over. you HAVE to take it to the dealership. They know theyve got you by the throat. OBTW, my windshield leaks. Headlights fogged from inside. $500 each

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  Very Happy with my XC90 - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Holly - August 31 - 4:10 pm

  I bought this car used in Nov of 2008 and have had it for almost a year and a half. I have not had one problem with this car. I am very pleased with the performance. The gas mileage could be better but i knew that going in. The interior does not have enough space for all my stuff but I manage. I really love driving this car and feel very safe in it.

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  Very Enjoyable. - 2008 Volvo C30
  By Rob S. - August 31 - 3:13 pm

  It gets a lot of looks! It gets up and goes as soon as you get around 3500 RPM. Im use to cars with much larger engines however this car motors effortlessly without much engine noise. The controls are easy to manage and the upgraded sound system is great! A must have! The only one thing I dislike is that you feel every bump in the road. Otherwise great car.