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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  Volvo s60 more bang for the bucks than B - 2002 Volvo S60
  By jrw646 - July 9 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I tested a long list of cars before we came to the Volvo s60 2.4t. I wish we had gone to Volvo first. The ride is fantastic and the fit, finish and features are head and shoulders above the compitetion. We drove the BMW 325i, Acua TL, Mercedes C240, and Infinity I35. The BMW and Mercedes have 168hp the Tl 225 and the I35 255. Not one of these cars has the excelleration of the 197hp s60 turbo I5 motor. Both of the Japanese cars drive like american cars, soft ride, weak handling. The Volvo hangs in with both the mercedes and the BMW in terms of confidence and response.

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  Try Building Something Competitive - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Darrin Johnson - July 6 - 10:00 am

  If you dont want a close relationship with the dealer service team, think twice about buying a Volvo S60. I found myself at the service center on a regular basis for the following: slipping transmission, sun roof replacement, radio seek button wouldnt quit seeking, headlights/talelights burning out, gas cover fallin off, key stuck in ignition, and the list goes on. The Volvo service team acted like this was standard, no big deal. It seems that Ford has stripped Volvo and is selling the name plate, thats unfortanate.

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  Let down! - 2006 Volvo S40
  By a.j. - July 5 - 8:43 pm

  This car is a gas hog! I sometimes have to fill my tank up 3 times a week. It is super slow since I didnt get the turbo. The first few months of driving the car the a/c broke and the software in the car had a glitch. The locks and the windows on my driver side would not work I had to crawl thru the passanger side. My a/c works now but it only gives you cool air not cold, so its really bad on a really hot summer day. The plastic linning in my door is pooping up, so everythime I try to get in the car I trip on the popping up plastic. I would not recomend this car to anyone, yeah its a good looking car but the quality is terrible. Very let down! I wish I never got this car, its a lemon!

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  OK, but Not Like the Good Old Days - 2003 Volvo V70
  By VolvoGrl - July 5 - 6:13 pm

  I bought the V70 after owning a 240 wagon. The V70 is OK, but its not like the old days. The car is comfortable and gas mileage is great for something this size. I am, however, disappointed in Volvos apparent decline in quality. Ive had to return to the dealer about 5 times in the first two and a half years to replace shoddy parts, including the steering wheel which just sort of crumbled and the power steering reservoir which cracked. Brakes went at 40k. After owning only Volvos in my adult life, will I buy another? Sadly, no. I think Volvo now delivers American quality with a European price tag.

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  keep a waranty - 2001 Volvo S80
  By van w. - July 5 - 9:53 am

  extended warranty is a must. Volvos 50k + mile warranty is all you need. Covered: replace both front wheel hubs- roaring noise $640 @77,339 miles; cooling fan bad @ 65,330; cooling fan replaced @ 73,118 miles-again. Got free loaner car-dealer is excellent. Love the car-best car ever owned in 40 years. Drives like a dream.

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  Very Happy - 1999 Volvo V70
  By justme1000 - July 4 - 3:33 pm

  One thing I have come to learn about these Volvos is that either they are very very good or very very bad. I did about 4 months worth of research and highly recommend doing a carfax report on interested vehicles. It seems that they either are notorious for electrical problems or trouble free other than routine mainteneance. I absolutely love my XC and I currently get 21MPG in the City and 27 on the HWY which really surprised me and more than makes up for having to use premimum gasoline. Do your homework and you will not be disappointed.

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  Fun AND Comfort - 2002 Volvo S40
  By ShpDog - July 4 - 10:00 am

  For a compact automobile you can not ask for a better combination of luxury and handling in an automobile. It might be considered a little "stiff" on the road but I like the feeling of control that provides.

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  T5 for practical enjoyment. - 2002 Volvo V70
  By BioWhiz - July 4 - 10:00 am

  The ability to go from automatic to manual transmission, flawlessly, at any speed has brought enjoyment (fun) back to driving. Although a mid-size wagon, once inside, you are never reminded of that fact. It handles in a very responsive way and if anything, is a bit too peppy. You MUST use the cruise control or you will be driving on a ticket from the local/state police.

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  This is my second Volvo - 1999 Volvo S70
  By red car - July 4 - 10:00 am

  Ive had electrical problems with tail lights going out since I got the car - I had the same issue with my 92 Volvo 240. I have just accepted it as part of the package! The dealership always fixes the lights for free, so its no big deal. I needed a car that can pull out onto the highway quickly, and the S70 does the job. There is plenty of room for five people. Lots of storage room, too. I like the fold down opening for skis, items! All four tires were worn and needed to be replaced at around 40,000 miles. I expected to get more miles out of the tires.

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  S-60 2.4 - 2002 Volvo S60
  By ripplek - July 4 - 10:00 am

  this is my first European Sedan. (Finally made the break from Camry). MSRP on my Volvo is about the same as a loaded Camry XLE,but this S-60 offers so much more for the money. The seats are outrageous! I drove it 2000 miles this summer and was able to walk upon exiting the car. (cant do that in a Toyota). Great handling overall.