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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  Best car I have owned.... - 1998 Volvo S70
  By JJB98 - February 5 - 10:00 am

  and I have had many! I usually sell my daily drivers within a couple of years because I get bored with them. Not this S70 GLT. This ones a keeper. I think that says it all. I have a young teenager approching driving age and this car will be the one I will let him drive. Safe, reliable,and responsive just to mention a few things. Mine is red with creame and wood trim. Rear spoiler really adds to the look. Volvo made this model until 2000 and added all wheel drive in 99. I just might add one of them for my winter car and park my 98 for the winter just to keep it prestine!!

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  sweet ride, but expensive to maintain - 1998 Volvo V70
  By MarkyD - February 4 - 7:50 pm

  Bought 4-yrs old and have owned for 4 years. The good: great performance, very comfortable, safe. Holds a lot of cargo, but is really a 4-seater, not 5. With two car seats in the back, only a child can squeeze between them. The bad: parts are very expensive and it is prone to electrical problems. Weve replaced the stereo and power window switches, but both problems recurred within 6 months. Also had to replace ABS computer which cost $440 just for the part, plus labor. Now the power locks are on the fritz. Never had a breakdown or failed to start, just annoying/expensive repairs. Overall, a good car, but we are trading in on a Honda Odessey soon, which is a better bang for the buck.

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  Great car...Terrible brakes - 2006 Volvo V50
  By Lucy - February 2 - 7:46 pm

  I dont know if it is just me, but I am dissapointed with Volvo. This is my second wagon in one year, the first was a lemon. The second one has been in the shop three times for new brakes and numerous problems with the air conditioning and electrical system. My suggestion, if you want a wagon with no hassle, dont go with a Volvo.

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  Solid performance at any speed! - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Volvojoe - February 1 - 10:00 am

  This car feels glued to the road regardless of the speed you are traveling. In fact, I cant wait to accelerate through the curves in the road or expressway on-ramps. The overall precision built into this car is evident in the adjustable suspension and 4-C system - Heck, even the clock and speedometer are dead on! Warning: You will find yourself putting more miles on this car than originally anticipated due to the Fun-Factor!

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  True Sports Sedan - 2004 Volvo S60
  By JYH - February 1 - 10:00 am

  Loved it as soon as I saw it. Looked at Jaguar X & S Types, not sporty enough. Got the 6 manual, 4 disc in-dash CD, nav system, 18" wheels, sport package with ground effects. The sport package really dresses the car up nice. I get alot of looks & compliments. The nav system is very good, alot of good & useful options. The active suspension & three settings are great. You can feel the suspension really change as soon as you push the button. The engine loves to be pushed. This is truly a car that can be driven comfortably on weekdays and driven like a sport sedan on the weekend. Volvo safety speaks for itself. They really

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  I wish I knew then what I know now - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Clint Mooney - February 1 - 10:00 am

  I love the look and feel of my Volvo S80 T6, unfortunantly the reliability is sub standard. Since the purchase of my car one year ago I have been in the shop at least 9 times within one year. When I asked the dealership why they told me that the 99 was the new platform for the S80 and I basically took part in the reasearch and development end of fixing that line. Unfortunantly I ended up paying with time and money for countless repairs and rentals.

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  Amazing Car - 2004 Volvo S40
  By jwarman - February 1 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this car for about a month and a half and I love it. The performace is outstanding and easily outclasses the competition in the price range. The styling is great, it looks nothing like the Volvos of old. Also the gas milage is great given this is a high performace car. Volvo has definitely built a winner of a car and attracted a new audience.

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  WOW! I LOVE THIS CAR! - 2004 Volvo S40
  By Heather Ammon - February 1 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my S40 for less than a week and I love it! It handles like a dream and the interior is very luxurious! I love the leather and the wood inlay. The floating console is really cool too! Mine is mistral green metalic and I love that too. At first I doubted getting the color because my last few cars were green, but this color is beautiful and it looks great in the sun. The sports package is great. I drove both the 2.4i and the T5 and the acceleration was negligable to me, so I didnt feel it was worth the extra money to get the T5. This car is definately worth every penny. The competition better watch out for this car!

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  love my new car - 2004 Volvo S40
  By gopanthers - February 1 - 10:00 am

  I didnt get the turbo because I didnt need the extra speed. So far I love the new body style and I feel very safe in it. Its a safe car which looks classy yet doesnt look like an older persons car. The service at Warren Henry in Miami was amazing and they beat out the best price any where else. Its a car that I can invision placing my future kids in and yet not make me feel like I had to sacrifice a youthful car.

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  A Swedish Love Affair - 2004 Volvo V70
  By DFWRealtor - February 1 - 10:00 am

  This has been a great car. It delivers a perfect balance of practicality with sporty appearance and is fun to drive. A big thumbs up!