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:

• 

  Very Pleased - 2003 Volvo V40
  By tdtg72 - July 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car after VW had to buy back my lemon Jetta. I really enjoy the wagon with my large dog. It looks youthful and doesnt necessarily scream soccer mom like the larger wagons. My V40 is fully loaded and everyone always comments on the headlight wipers. I love it.

• 

  Overlooked and underrated S40 - 2003 Volvo S40
  By RavCar - July 13 - 2:00 am

  This car is excellent, fun to drive, reasonably sized, had lot of features that were not there in Passat and A4 when I bought this car like side curtain air bags and nice interior. Acceleration is amazing. It responds well. Seats are very comfortable. Radio that allows me to set and store 20 stations and switching stations is as easy as controlling volume. Volvo should try to make this car popular, they dont pay much attention to this car as they do to their other models like S60.

• 

  What a nice Swedish ride - 2000 Volvo S70
  By Volvo Lover - July 13 - 2:00 am

  2000 was the last year for this body style and we love it.

• 

  good, bad , and the ugly - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By dachshund - July 13 - 2:00 am

  Volvo has produced a very attractive vehicle. The XC-90 is very comfortable and feels solid. Overall we are very happy with the vehicle. It has average accleration, but is extremely potent when asked to do a high speed pass. Ive noticed that the 4-speed automatic does not shift as seamlessly as I would expect for a premium vehicle.Ive also noticed a minor design flaw with the seat belts in the second row. The belt will catch on the release latch to the third row and turn perpendicular to the door panel, and since there is not enough clearance, if you do not reposition it manually it will gouge the door panel and cut the seat.

• 

  Ballaz Mobile - 2001 Volvo S60
  By farbdogg71 - July 13 - 2:00 am

  This is the first car I have ever purchased. I am very satisfied with all the features on it and the options I had equiped with it. All my friends are jealous.

• 

  First Volvo and Last Volvo - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By cycle_art - July 11 - 8:11 pm

  I bought this car because I was told Volvos last a long time. They are not too expensive to repair as compared to other high-end car makers. I bought this car 2.5 years ago and have had problems from the beginning. First it was interior issues like the tweeter falling off the door, the front drivers seat pulling apart at the seams and the console lights going out. I bought an extended warranty and thank glad I did. This year $5,000 in repair bills for an axle, universal joint, CV joint, tie-rods, brake calipers and right now a Pcv breather case. The warranty doesnt cover this. The service manager told me I should not pay attention to the manual and change the oil every 3000k.

• 

  Comfortable car - 2002 Volvo S40
  By noniriches83 - July 10 - 8:06 pm

  Im a housewife, I love driving this car, its my current car, the 2002 year made. I find this car comfortable and fun to drive. Handles well, very good cornering and very responsive brake. And also the turbo gives enough power to get into traffic when you need it. :) VOLVO S40 is a 5stars rating for the safest car.

• 

  V8 loaded & love it! - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Ski - July 9 - 5:20 pm

  110k mi & still drives fantastic! Smooth, powerful, tight handling & fun to drive. Happy with whole drivetrain. Only problem so far was the "infotainment software bug," which was fixed with quick update @ dealer. DONT get turbo model with "garbage" GM transmission. The V8s avg 1mpg gas penalty is worth every drop! 05+ Yamaha V8 model has better Aisan Warner 6-speed & nice AWD system. Did i mention the significant testicular fortitude?

• 

  Great small wagon - 2009 Volvo V50
  By Nick - July 9 - 6:03 am

  Greatly enjoy the car. Feels safe and is quick and fun to drive. Not quite as quick as my wifes BMW and has slight turbo lag but much less than previous turbos I have owned. Used to go skiing many times this winter without any problems. Very practical and reasonable mileage. The car is attractive and distinct. Interior is very comfortable but back seat is cramped for adults.

• 

  Not as good since Ford influence - 2000 Volvo S70
  By Trader1997 - July 8 - 10:00 am

  The quality not as good as the 95 850 I traded in for this one. Steering looser, pickup not as steady or quick, handling not up to 95 standards. Have had nothing but problems from the day I drove it off the lot. Some major, some minor such as the ever present taillights going out. If I buy another, it will be the older 850 with low miles, its a better vehicle and more dependable.