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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  Nicest of the 12 cars Ive owned - 1999 Volvo V70
  By slvrspcshp - August 22 - 1:15 pm

  My previous car was a 1988 740 GLE. I put 365,000 miles on that, sold it for 700.00, and it is STILL someones daily driver. The V70 has 186,000 on it, and Ive been driving it for 4 years. In that time the only thing Ive had to do that wouldnt be considered REGULAR USED CAR UPKEEP is have the throttle body assembly replaced (fully under warranty). Ive replaced the plugs, changed the oil regularly, replaced one tie rod, had the brakes done once and fixed one of the fog lights.(NYC driver POTHOLES) I also bought a kit for 13 bucks to secure the inside panel of the tailgate. I love this car, and plan on getting a 2006/2007 model in a couple years, prob my last before having to go electric

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  My S60 Saved My Life - 2006 Volvo S60
  By Bill - August 22 - 1:06 am

  05 S60 AWD. Spun last weekend on black ice. No time to brake. 65mph into wire retaining guardrail. Absolutely no injury expect a glass shard in my hand. The retaining wires stopped 6 inches from my head. The EMTs, Police, Fire, Insurance Adjuster and Autobody man all stated. If you were in anything but a Volvo you would have been decapitated!! I pick up my used 06 S60 FWD next week. Dont opt for AWD, slight jack up in rear gives funky handling, less mileage, more to go wrong, and noticible front to rear and back power transfers.

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  My Super Sexy Hottie C70 - 2004 Volvo C70
  By supersexyc70 - August 21 - 7:10 pm

  What can I possibly say about my "C70~Gal"; we met at the Volvo Factory Gothenburg... I was in Europe on business. But, prior to going their i was at the La Car Show were I saw this model on display. Their I said I have to have one; the sales gal who was from Sweden invited me to the factory. Once at the factory I got the grand tour and told them I was going to be in Europe on business from a few months. So, I purchased the car drove it all over Europe, and into Africa. A week before leaving back to Calif., the factory took care of the smog and between us we added a whole bunch of options that you would have not gotten here in the USA. To this day I am still in a State of total Aw! TY Volvo

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  My New 2004 V40 - 2004 Volvo V40
  By thefreebergs - August 21 - 10:00 am

  I bought my new V40 and had is specially built for me. These cars are not even available in the states yet. Absolutely fabulous automobile. Highly recommended!

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  s40 VOLVO with premium package - 2004 Volvo S40
  By zoombaby - August 21 - 10:00 am

  The 2004 S40 has good steering capabilities and holds to the road well. It isnt a S60 but for the size of the vehicle it performs just as well as the small BMW and better than the bottom line Mercedes. Free roadside assistance and maintenance for 4 years and the manner in which one is treated at the dealerships service dept. are an added plus.

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  a very underrated car but a true beauty - 2004 Volvo S80
  By cherryl - August 21 - 10:00 am

  Amazing car and the most comfortable car I have been. The seats are designed by Swedish massage therapists. Amazingly fast!!!!!

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  Great with a few issues... - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By VonKod - August 21 - 10:00 am

  This is one of the best SUVs I have owned, however I do have a few concerns: Interior - the wood inlays look and feel extremely cheap (think plastic). Additionally, the brushed aluminum/chrome interior door handles look extremely cheap. Volvo needs to take style types from BMW on wood inlays! Gas Mileage - much worse than advertised. Expect 10-13 MPH only.

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  never a volvo again - 1999 Volvo V70
  By perkins - August 21 - 4:20 am

  I bought a volvo for the first time in 99. based on reputation for safety and reliability. Although it is a very usable cargo space and comfortable ride and excellent visibility, it has been a repair nightmare. I began having very poor a/c problems finally had to replace it under warranty, and the repairs on electrical issues, interior body hardware, (shift light, window controls, seat controls on driver side, wagon hatchback door)after the warranty expired have been very costly and dont last long. I have spent way too much money on repairs, hoping to hold onto the car for at least ten years, and its been six and Im giving up d/t repairs.Reg. maintenance made no difference. Sad story.

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  Best Volvo ever! - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By howard - August 20 - 12:50 am

  Qwned Volvo since 1990 ... great car, beats BMW hands down ... drives very smooth, controls are very simple, handles well. Very comfortable and very safe. The bluetooth phone option is a must for true hands free driving. Put some Nokean snows on it and it goes anywhere. Kids love the dual screen DVD in the headrests. Safe, simple comfortable. The T6 Turbo engine is great! And yes, dont expect great gas mileage ... it is a very heavy car with dual turbos! If you want great gas mileage, buy a small car. Also only car with true anti-roll technology that includes a gyroscope.

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  No longer a big Volvo fan - 2006 Volvo S60
  By Rob - August 19 - 11:10 am

  I have owned and loved 5 Volvos including this one and an XC90 that we still have. I bought the 06 S60 with about 47k miles on it and as soon as the warranty expired, it was in the shop about every 6 weeks with $500- $1500 repairs. A/C compressor disintegrated, then a A/C o-ring blew out (all during July and August), the engine air flow sensor failed twice, front end needed frequent alignment, right front passenger window would go up and down without me doing anything, the radio wouldnt change stations some times. Traded it in after 9 months on a 2009 Saab 93.