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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  So far, so good - 2006 Volvo V70
  By V70inSacramento - May 27 - 6:40 am

  I finally decided to splurge and buy a midlife crisis car after 12 yrs with a Civic. Much to everyones surprise I purchased a used Volvo V70 2.5T; everyone thought Id buy an Outback. So far, Im very happy with the car: comfortable, quick, good handling, hauls lots of stuff, great AC and heated seats. I wish the gas mileage were a bit higher, but waiting to take a longer trip to see what happens. The car also has a very large turning radius but its due to the 17" tires. I think I got a good deal by going out of State (to Texas) - I saved about $10K off MSRP by buying one with 6K miles, plus it had the extended 6yr/100K warranty. Im hoping for many years of driving satifaction!

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  Get something else - 2000 Volvo V40
  By jackal11 - May 27 - 2:00 am

  After a year of quality control trouble with this fun to drive yet poor quality Mitsubishi masquerading as a Volvo, I sued Volvo. They are fighting it out in court, instead of letting me out of my lease. Nice guys, yeah!

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  Sporty, efficient and comfortable - 2015 Volvo V60
  By kmurray105 - May 26 - 3:28 pm

  I have had the V60 for about a month and so far I love it. 2 years ago I replaced my 2006 Saab 95 wagon, because it needed some expensive repairs and with Saab out of business I didnt want to keep putting money into it. I replaced it with a leased Buick Regal, a car with better technology but handling and performance that was not as good and gas mileage that was not any better. As my lease expired I looked at a lot of different cars. I discovered the V60 had mostly better technology features that the Buick, performance and handling that was not quite as good as the Saab but close, and much better fuel efficiency. The V60 is also tremendously comfortable; a keeper.

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  "Volvo for Life" Great Motto - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By Lucy Boudet - May 18 - 10:20 am

  This is my 2nd XC90. Came out of a great experience in a 2005 XC90 and couldnt find anything I really wanted better. Tested a Mazda CX9, Mercedes M Class, Subaru Tribeca, Highlander, Lexus RX 350...and on and on. It may not have the fun "zoom-zoom quality of the Mazda, but the Mazda outside mirrors vibrate like crazy...rear seats vibrated...tracks in the floor looked so cheap. Mercedes was nice but didnt like the paddle shifter and its too small cargo area. Volvo makes the most beautiful, classy looking SUV. Nothing beats the feeling of quality in my XC 90. This new engine drives great. I thought Id miss the Turbo. Not at all. Great lease deals make it the perfect family vehicle.

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  Reliability Issues - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Ken Hendren - May 17 - 10:00 am

  Love the car when it runs - speaker replacement, two headlights replaced, and transmission replaced all within first 28,000 miles. Just looked into trading this in and the depreciation is horrible - car is worth $19500 after 3 years. Buy it if you have a dealership close by. This is our 7th but last Volvo.

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  My Volvo View - 2006 Volvo S40
  By Dyanna - May 13 - 6:13 am

  Exterior look is what captured my attention. Could use a little more storage space inside. Excellent sound system. Loud air conditioning when above the middle mark. Minor adjustments could be focused on & improved, like electric window movement (rattle-some)better mileage for its size and engine(5 cyclinder). Other than that. Love it and would recommend the S40 for the young out-of-college professional because its about 10k less than the 3 series BMW, with all the similiar perks.

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  FM Problems - 2004 Volvo S60
  By drrjb - May 10 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this turbo for three months now and on the second day I noticed poor to no reception on the FM radio its been in the shop three times and goin in for #4 and still no fix...The people at the dealership have not been very understanding and basically deny the problem exists...The fourth time better fix it or else.....The turbo with the tiptronic is hard to power shift due to the turbo lag...the headlights are set to low..The AWD creates oversteer..The turning radius is horrible for this size car

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  Tire Problem - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By bishop - May 8 - 10:00 am

  This is my 4th Volvo and I have always enjoyed their style and solid feel. I have had the Volvo XC60 for a year now but have to say I am dissapointed in the low mileage, complex radio control and tire problem. The Pirelli tires are not wearing well. I have a whirling sound that becomes louder with increased speed. Dealer says its the tire tread and is expected. Frankly, I find it annoying. 10,000 miles later I discover prominate wear issues. The inside front tires are not wearing well--so with only 27,000 miles Ill have to replace the tires.

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  Love this Car - 2008 Volvo C70
  By Gilberto Rivera - April 27 - 3:30 am

  Weve owned our Volvo C70 for 18 months and so far no problems. Quality, build and fit is excellent. Car rides a little harsh but that is due to the 18" performance tires which wear out rather quickly ($300 a pop to replace). We get a lot of positive comments on the sharp looks. Have one major gripe. That is, the navigation system is a real "Dinosaur" to operate. The Japanese beat the Swedes in the electronic software department, again.

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  Looks Good - Didt Last - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Gator104 - April 25 - 1:26 pm

  We bought this used with 39,000 miles. It has low profile tires which was a mistake as the noise from them is almost unbearable. Had the front suspension replaced at 87,000 (ride still noisy even after that). Had the sunfoof guides replaced due to roof rattle. Also, light bulbs burned out on a routine basis - a big pain. Little trim items kept breaking that had to be replaced - also a pain. THe radio/CD was of poor quality with poor sound and reception. Dont know if the lack of quality was the fault of Volvo or Ford cheapening things once they took over. Resale value does not hold at all. Finally dumped this dog at 89,000 miles and bought a used Lexus RX300, which is wonderful.