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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  Meets High Expectations - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Doug - December 1 - 9:00 pm

  The vehicle continues to look and ride like new after four years. 2.5T cruises great at 60-80 mph. Wear on tires and brakes is more than we had anticipated. Great on long trips. City mileage is a modest disappointment.

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  The Wagon of Choice!! - 2006 Volvo XC70
  By Gaith_XC70 - December 1 - 7:43 pm

  After carefully researching all the other similar vehicles, we picked the XC70, with the premium and climate packages. Other makes came with more options for less money. But..a volvo is a volvo...is a volvo - it is all about safety. Most of all we love the feel of the solid construction. My wife surprised me by actually liking the feel of this car. When compared to an Accord, it has a slightly ponderous feel, but it is easy to get used to. Also the room...other AWD wagons in this class simply do not have the same roominess.

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  120K still drives as new and looks great a great car - 2005 Volvo V70
  By rmo3 - December 1 - 4:22 pm

  I have my 2005 since purchased almost new as a loaner with a 2K on the odo. It is my daily driver kids to school and to work and road miles. I drive more than average abut 25K a year. There have been no major maintenance issues, I did replace a/c at 100k live in FL runs 24/7 here. I had a g tires, brakes, fluids changes and (timing belt at 105K). Dealer service can be expensive but you should follow the maintenance schedule and make sure the last owner did if you are buying high mileage. The vehicle still rock solid gets 25 MPG. Still has a top speed of 130 mph, so those SUVs might pass you with 400 hp but know this the V70 is faster than all of them they are ltd. to 110 :).

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  First Impressions - 2003 Volvo S60
  By SF Bay Area Randy - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I admit that I never thought I would buy a Volvo. The end of year incentives made me give it a look. Those incentives allowed me to get a 2.4T with sport, luxury, and touring package for under $30K. I kind of like the distinctive styling. Around San Fran Bay Area, 90% of the cars are Honda, Toyota or BMWs. I am glad I at least got something semi- unique. It is a nice car that has decent power. I am a little wary of how it will hold up, given some of the comments in here, but I tend to treat cars gently so I think it will last a long time. The gas mileage is OK. The fronts seats are very nice.

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  Not Too Happy - 2002 Volvo S60
  By Springer - December 1 - 10:00 am

  The first week we had the S60 it dumped antifreeze in our driveway and had to be towed away with a faulty radiator. The dealer told us no rental could be given because we didnt break down on the road somewhere. So much for their great roadside assistance. The power door locks are a perpetual problem. In for same repair 4 times. Dealer has ordered wrong parts and made us return yet again. Left turn signal works intermitantly. And by the way the pwer door locks dont work right again! I think its so safe because its always in the shop and not on the road.

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  The Perfect SUV - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Upton185 - December 1 - 10:00 am

  After researching all the competetive SUVs in the luxury segment, I decided to lease the new Volvo XC90T6. Although the great demand limited some of my option choices, I can state without equivication that this is the finest atomobile Ive ever owned. The well thought out cabin, the versatility of the 3rdseat and the safety of the gyroscopic anti-roll technology is unbeatable, not to metion the finest car like ride that any SUV could offer.

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  Lemon in KC - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By lemon in KC - December 1 - 10:00 am

  My wife was the second owner of the new XC90 in Kansas City and that may be the problem. This car has been in the shop more than our garage. You name it and it has gome wrong. The power seat/mirror loses memory every time you start the car. The fuel door snapped off when my 10-year old bumped it, ($223 - not under warranty) rear windshield wiper snapped off while trying to clean the window, radiator overheats and had to be replaced, PVC valve rattles and had to be replaced only to name a few. Hopefully these are problems with the first production run or these guys are in for some major lawsuits and lemon law issues.

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  Poor quality for a Volvo - 1998 Volvo S70
  By pandabear1 - November 25 - 5:30 am

  This car has been a nightmare to maintain. Within the first few years I purchased it, I brought it back to the dealer every 2-3 months. Within 2 wks of driving it off the lot, I had multiple light bulbs on the panel, spark plugs, and AC components replaced. In the 8 yrs Ive owned it, Ive replaced the battery 4x, alternator 2x, headlights 2x, latch for hood, entire air conditioning system, front axels, shocks, power steering component, ABS sensor...all replaced. I go through tires like crazy, had to get the gas gauge fixed several times, the vinyl has bubbled off the doors, coating on buttons started peeling within months of owning it, all buttons have nail marks on them.

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  Best Suv I Have Owned or Driven! - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Scott Prichard - November 24 - 5:53 am

  I ordered the XC90 V8 about three months ago and just received it about three days ago. I was fortunate enough to get a loaner V8 by the dealer until mine arrived. I dont have anything bad to say about it and it is a pleasure to drive. Incredibly great handling and a very solid feel. We drove just about every luxury SUV and it was really a very easy decision for us. The rear seat entertainment is the best on the market as far as we are concerned; much better than the "drop down" systems. Excellent car choice, especially with people with small kids!

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  A/C Problems - 1998 Volvo V70
  By GailSusan - November 23 - 9:06 pm

  This is my third Volvo. Like so many on here, I thought I would be a Volvo owner for life. This was my first new car. I saved up my money and paid almost $40,000 to buy it brand new. Volvo dealer "forgot" to send out the extended warranty, so I missed out on buying it. I wasnt too worried because I maintained my car perfectly. I planned for this car to last for at least the next ten years. Well, two years ago the air conditioning condenser broke and I was told it would cost $200 for the part, but $2,300 for the labor. It seems the entire dashboard has to be removed to reach the condenser. Im deeply disappointed in the poor quality of this vehicle and am about to unload it.