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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  Keep the engine, ditch the car - 1998 Volvo V70
  By nancy c - July 30 - 1:10 pm

  The engine in this car has been pretty reliable. And the first five years of owning it were great. Since then its just been a money pit. The air conditioner has needed major repairs twice. There has seldom been a time when all four power windows functioned; fix one, another breaks. Same with the power locks. ABS very temperamental. Turns off for no reason. Now radio wont work. Inside trim on tailgate is falling off because the cheesy plastic tabs that hold it on broke. Too much money to fix. Every time it needs anything it seems like the bill is at least $1500. The 70,000 mile service was going to be close to $5000 so Im selling this car. Maybe a mechanic will buy it.

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  More HP - 2008 Volvo C70
  By Daniels, CA - July 28 - 10:46 pm

  A little less sporty for a convertible. Would help to have more horse power. Bluetooth should be a must have especially in CA.

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  Poor reliability & expensive to maintain - 1997 Volvo 960
  By jll - July 28 - 10:00 am

  I gave up on trying to fix all the problems with this car and finally traded it in. The reliability is horrible, everything and anything broke. Sunroof stopped working, A/C broke on multiple occassions, keyless entry broke multiple times (too expensive to repair, I didnt bother to fix the last time), power steering fluid leaking, had to replace brake pads frequently. Random things would break off as well - cup holders, the door hinge for the gas cap, random pieces of plastic and rubber would fall on my head, the leather on the door panel is bubbling. It only had 62k miles on it, so I didnt drive it excessively either. I will never buy another Volvo!

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  Nothing but trouble... - 2000 Volvo S40
  By Volvo Hater - July 28 - 10:00 am

  This car has been in the shop too many times to count. We have almost replaced the whole car piece by piece. Just when we think were finished, something else goes. Fuel pump first 7000 miles,numerous bulbs of every kind,sunroof twice,brakes,brakes,brakes,and headlight wipers. Oh,did I mention brakes? Brakes have failed and makes me feel unsafe. Lots of other repairs on miscellaneous parts. Our service dept. is terrible and the dealer wont help us out of the lease. We are counting down the months until were out! This is one family that wont be buying another Volvo. Also, my daughter thinks its ugly. Maybe because the paint is falling off.

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  Superb Vehicle - 2004 Volvo S40
  By puppytrek - July 28 - 10:00 am

  Totally Cool! This blows the doors off the Accord and Camry I was considering. Mistral Green is beautiful and the fit & finish are excellent. Safety is my main concern and this car line has it all standard. The center control is like a remote-and there is so much you can program. I never have to turn on/off my lights-it does it automatically! The engine is responsive and great on fuel. I will be travelling a great deal and I needed the safety features that I would have had to pay extra for with a different vehicle (not a Volvo). Drive it-you wont regret it.

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  Awesome car - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By shibby12158 - July 28 - 10:00 am

  this is a great car to drive and it is really comfortable. It doesnt feel like your driving an SUV it feels like your driving a car. GREAT SUV...I LOVE IT!!!

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  Solid vehicle, Volvo service has slipped - 1997 Volvo 960
  By 960 fan - July 24 - 8:10 pm

  have all praise for this car. last of the roomy comfy wagons. Only buyer beware is poor Volvo service nowadays. cannot invest todays Volvo prices, and risk big service $$$$ with poor service quality, numerous, repeated trips over same problems. more than one dealership. Sad for what was once a great company. were now looking at VW, Subaru, after years with Volvo.

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  Interior Falls Apart - 2000 Volvo C70
  By Glue Guy - July 24 - 10:06 am

  Fun to drive and safe, but mine is literally falling apart. Both door panels have fallen off and needed to be replaced at the price of 1000 per door, switches fail, the sunroof constantly has the glass peel away from the assembly, switches fail, the leather is peeling, switches fail. The car is tremendously well taken care of but the electronics and interior cabin build quality are horrendous.

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  A lot of car for the money - 2005 Volvo S40
  By KateM - July 22 - 10:20 am

  We bought our Volvo S40 T5 FWD new back in October 2004 have had very good luck with it. The 218 HP turbo engine is phenomenal. If youre seeking an adrenaline rush every time you hit the gas pedal, go for the T5 versus the ho-hum 2.4i. Handling is tight with almost no body lean. Highway ramps are a blast. Steering feedback is just right. However, even with TLC, the leather has not worn well at all. The seats are thinner and harder than those in the older S40 model. There is virtually no way to add an iPod adapter, and the ride is harsh. I agree with another owners post that the heated seats do not get warm enough. In my particular S40s case, maintenance has not been an issue

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  Beyond my expectations - 2004 Volvo S80
  By SHERRILL - July 22 - 10:00 am

  I have driven trucks for the last 10 years and never thought I would find a car that I wanted but the very first time I sat in my S80 T6 I was sold for life. It has been worth every dime of the selling price. The salesman did not have to sell me this car he just took my order. It is beautiful. I look for reasons to have to drive.