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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  This Car Relaxes Me - 2009 Volvo C70
  By miabchdave - March 30 - 10:33 am

  This car will make you want to cruise, listen to good music, and enjoy the scenery. I find it very comfy. The trunk room and rear seats have no other competition in the hard top convertible space. The interior storage is definitely adequate. Those three main reasons are why I went with the C70 over the BMW 328i hardtop even though the lease on the BMW worked out to be $10 cheaper a month. Its simply a more usable car... its even rated to tow! The car does have some oddities that need to be addressed, though. See below.

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  Recommended - 1998 Volvo S70
  By Richard - March 28 - 10:40 am

  I bought this car from a friend in 2002 at 42000 miles. Some major repairs (ABS computer, wheel hub replacement), but I am pleased with the purchase. Great turbo performance, no lag time. Body integrity very good. No complaints. This is my fourth Volvo, the previous three - except for the 1997 S80 - all have performed well.

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  My favorite car ever - 2002 Volvo S60
  By Michael - March 27 - 7:30 am

  I do love my Volvo. It is so incredibly comfortable. The seat fits me perfectly and for once I dont have to tilt my head back to find the headrest. The premium sound system is outstanding. My only concerns about the car are the fact that I have probably changed lightbulbs (mainly in the rear) about 10 times in 2 years. I am not too pleased with the gas mileage as I seem to average 22 per gallon. The car drives great, is very quiet, and is styled beautifully.

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  Fun to drive and reasonably solid - 2000 Volvo V40
  By SashaZ - March 23 - 2:00 am

  A fun to drive and fairly reliable compact wagon. Decent cargo space with the rear seat down, the built-in child seats are very useful. Good handling, solid at high speeds (excellent 100 mph cruiser in Europe, where we drove it for a year). Reliability has been pretty good, good warranty service, the brake pads do wear out quickly.

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  Just barely broken in - 1996 Volvo 850
  By New Dad - March 11 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this pre-owned 850 GLT Wagon only 1 month ago, but the quality is already obvious. It had just passed the century mark (100K mi.). The feel is solid. Road / wind / engine noise is nearly non-existent. Every feature still works perfectly except the remote for the remote entry (which may just need programming). Acceleration is subtle and effortless. Shifting in the automatic transmission is smooth but solid. Maneuverability is impressive for a mid- size wagon. Fit and finish are STILL far superior to any other car Ive owned (including a 1979 Volvo 262C Bertone).

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  My XC90 - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By jane - March 9 - 11:40 am

  I saw this car at a dealership and bought it as a birthday gift for myself. First Volvo and I love to drive it. The V-6 has plenty giddyup on the interstate. The third row seats give you flexibility and stows away nicely with a cargo mat when not in use. The XC is large enought to get the job done and stylish enough to look good doing it.

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  First Volvo Ever - 2011 Volvo C70
  By Mitch - March 3 - 1:00 pm

  I have owned most cars from Porsche to Mercedes to GMC to VW but this is my first Volvo. I absolutely love the look of this car. Great Grey with Cranberry interior. Everything is great with the exception of the sub-standard reception all throughout the area on the HD radio and Sirius. Despite TOO MANY trips back to the dealership, Volvo has done nothing! Probably my last ever Volvo and I will look to put it on swap a lease. Why you might ask if I love the many other aspects of the car? I love my music and while the upgraded audio is amazing, you need a signal to play music through the speakers!

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  Great value for money - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By birdman - March 2 - 3:00 pm

  Ive now driven almost 2200 miles with my XC90 3.2. No mechanical or other problems. The ride is a bit stiff but that does help the handling. Overall, it is an easy to handle car, but one does notice it is big and heavy. The AWD keeps it on the road all the time and it doesnt flip/ flop turning corners as much as other SUVs. But it does a bit the tendency to go straight when turning corners, probably based on it being a primairily FWD based car. The 3.2 is a nice engine, with enough power to handle the car and a full load of passengers and luggage. I can imagine with the weight of the car that the V8 would be a lot nicer to drive, although the mileage will be even worse.

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  Not very happy with it - 2003 Volvo S80
  By charlie cao - March 2 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car mainly for its safety features, never wish to use them.But the car is a disappointment. Had the car for a year, many fixes, driver seat was replaced, sound system rattles when volumn is not too loud. Was told the some noises are "born with", noisy at low speed, not enough power to accelerate into traffic. Wife refuses to drive cuz the steering wheel is too heavy. When closing the rear doors, the metel sheet is bouncing. Thinking to switch to a different car. Wish the designers and engineers drive other competitive vehicles. Wish they read this board.

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  Price Gouging - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Ripped - February 25 - 2:00 am

  Ordered new XC-90 in January. Received notice that now getting 04 model and will be subject to $600 price increase. Volvo knows they have a hot car for once and sticking it to consumer. Dealer unwilling to negotiate any reduction of increase. Volvo jamming all customers with this increase. Also, watch for expensive scheduled service.