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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  My Dream car - 2006 Volvo S40
  By VolvoFanatic - December 29 - 10:10 pm

  I love this car, and have wanted one since they came out with the new body style in 2004.5. The only trouble I have had was the alarm siren had to be replaced, but was of course covered by warranty. I was considering an Accord, but I am glad I went with the S40. I replaced my 2000 S70 with it.

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  I look forward to driving this S60 every day - 2013 Volvo S60
  By virginiacarguy - December 29 - 12:31 pm

  Having owned many BMWs, Audi, Acura and various other cars and SUVs, this S60 is the perfect balance of comfort and fun to drive. The old Volvo stereotypes are long gone. While it doesnt have the track or tech specs of a 3 series (like 50/50 weight distribution), it excels at daily driving by perfectly balancing performance and comfort. The S60 is smooth, quiet, composed, solid, quick, very comfortable with superb seats and firm suspension that is never harsh. I recommend the Polestar modification that makes the vehicle faster, reduces throttle/pedal travel and makes power available more immediately. A loaded 325 hp S60 is thousands less than a loaded 4 cyl BMW.

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  Do Not Buy This Car - 2001 Volvo S80
  By mwdlaw - December 28 - 7:43 pm

  Bought this car in 3/05 with 69k miles. Three days later the transmission blew, needed a complete rebuild, then one month later upper & lower tie rod ends needed replacement. Then at a routine fuel stop the gas tank lid hinge broke. As if that was not enough 2 power door lock actuators went bad after that. Now the car is in the shop again after failing on 4th of July weekend. We we turning left at an intersection when the car died, alsomost got struck by onccomming cars! Also lost the power steering, Im just glad I was driving and not my wife! After limping to the shop for repairs I was told the air mass meter & the throttle body needed to be replace for $1400. This car is junk

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  Comfortable with quirks - 2007 Volvo V70
  By mercuryct - December 28 - 3:30 am

  Supremely comfortable as far as its seats go, 2.4 provides adequate power, feels very safe, understated looks. Its quirks can be very annoying, however. Chief among them are counterintuitive and slow-acting power door locks, needlessly complicated radio and climate controls, inadequate sun visors, unlit power-seat memory buttons. Not especially quiet in terms of engine noise. Fit and finish adequate but perhaps less than I expected. The dash trim is apparently real wood but finished to look cheaper than the plastic on my old Subaru. And might I add that tire-pressure sensors are a nightmare.

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  Great Car - 2005 Volvo S60
  By julia - December 25 - 6:53 pm

  I commute 100 miles/day round trip to work and this car makes the drive fun. Passing on the tollway is easy and the interior is nicely designed and comfortable.

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  good car - 1996 Volvo 850
  By chsmpsn - December 24 - 10:00 am

  good reliable car to own

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  Great concept; Poor execution - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By CCB - December 23 - 4:56 pm

  The birth our our third child led us to sell our Audi Allroad and purchase the Volvo. Immediatly we noticed the great disparity in build quality. The front brake pads went at 11,000 mi, rotors went at 34,000 mi, no dealer explanation. Steering makes a loud clunk when turning at low speeds. Several trim pieces have consistently fallen off. The leather on the drivers seat is starting to crack despite multiple conditioning. Gas mileage is about 15.6-16.2 according to the computer. And yes, the upgraded 18 inch wheels did not have the upgraded brakes not where the tires provided of any quality. It has been such a poor experince, both with the car and the dealership, we are considering an Escalade.

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  Darn near perfect - 2003 Volvo V70
  By MotoMan - December 22 - 12:06 pm

  This is almost the perfect vehicle. One or two small quality issues, but hard to top 30 mpg and luxury to boot. Handles well, leather heated seats are great, volumes of hauling capacity and very slick looking ride.

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  Happy Mom of 3 Boys! - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Ray Clay - December 22 - 8:50 am

  Wonderful and easy handling. I purchased because I wanted a safe family vehicle. I received luxury and performance on top of safety.

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  Keep on runnin - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Lifer - December 22 - 5:33 am

  Original owner, car has 160k miles. Solid reliable comfortable car. A/C is somewhat weak, have had some issue with the front end alignment. MPG overall is around 21. Plenty of cargo space, with fold down seats and roof rack, I carry all I need. After 12 years, this car runs like it did when new. Engine performance is sound, and the 168 hp five cylinder engine is very reliable. I hope to keep this car for life.