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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  new car - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By lin - July 22 - 4:56 am

  like the xc60, but seats not a comfortable as my former s60. Also, when I go from park to drive, something knocks under the car. Found out after I took delivery that Volvo is mistakenly leaving off parts that are supposed to be standard equipment on the T6 and 3.2...make sure yours has the polished exhaust tips before you sign any papers. My didnt (how often do you check a car to see if it has all the standard equipment it is supposed to) (do we need to lift the hood and make sure everything is there before we drive it off the lot?) volvo has been slow to get these parts on my new car. The company should issue a recall to have these put on the cars like they were supposed to.

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  The Mechanics Love this Car! - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Duff - July 21 - 7:56 pm

  Second Volvo I owned, probably my last. I have replaced the tires 2x with only 25K+ miles on odometer, replaced air conditioner 3x, radio in for repair 2x, seal on my driver side door 4x, and a few misc interior finish pieces had to be replaced. Not to mention every time I take it in for service, something is being replaced for recall. I had a 240DL brick which I put 256,000 miles on, never had a problem with the car other than routine stuff. I am not happy with this vehicle, drives like a bus, has major quality issues, and trying to operate the radio while driving is a joke.

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  Just keeps going and going and going! - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Conner - July 21 - 1:16 am

  This car is absolutely fabulous. 235K miles to date. The most comfortable seats ever made. Super-reliable. High- pressure turbo is fun as heck to drive. The AWD is excellent. Build quality is wonderful. I service the car every 5K and it takes care of me every day. Paint quality is still excellent after 11 years. Interior Materials also exceptional quality. The only issues with the 98s are ABS control modules tend to go out. Strut mounts can wear out causing a "clunk" sound. Replaced wheel bearings. The 3- CD head units dont last. Well worth it, though, factory sound is awesome.

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  Great Volvo XC90 - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By PWRD05 - July 20 - 2:40 pm

  This car is fun to drive, comfortable, easy to maneuver, great to look at, and most important safe. I feel very confident that I have the best protection available in a car. The XC90 handles very well. I would buy this car again in a heartbeat. Like all SUVs I wish it had better gas mileage but safety is worth it.

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  Volvo C70 - 2004 Volvo C70
  By John Styslinger - July 20 - 10:00 am

  I was intent on buying a ragtop and the C-70 was my number 1 choice after driving a T bird, BMW, and Saab. The fact that you can fit 4 adults in it with no difficulty ( Im 62" ) was a huge plus. Unless you and your wife/husband are going out with Barbie and Ken, forget the BMW for about 6 grand more to boot,and the T Bird has no room for me even without a backseat.

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  By a Acura or Infinity - 2002 Volvo S60
  By consumer8796 - July 20 - 10:00 am

  First of all the customer and dealership service for the vehicle is the worst I have ever had. Horrible. Vehicle stalled and left my wife and I stranded. I was able to start it again. Dealer advised loaner cars were a curtisy but not manditory. Also advised they would not provide a ride home for me if more then 15 miles. Honda here I come! Dealer advised car was fine!

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  My Volvo - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Sandra - July 19 - 1:00 pm

  I bought the car new. It is a wonderful car to drive although I have had a number of electrical and mechanical problems. I have severe arthritis and the seats are the most comfortable of any car Ive ever owned and adjustable to many positions. I love the power and the instant response and feel it is the safest car on the road today. The only reason Im considering another make is reliability. Ive never owned a car with so many problems.

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  Noisy & uncomfortable ride - 2008 Volvo S80
  By Gail - July 19 - 4:03 am

  I leased the S80 at the end of Sept. I have noticed that the tires made an awful loud noise when driving moderate & high speeds. The wind noise at 50+ mph is unbelievably loud. I have been back to the dealer twice, 3 tires were replaced because they were defective. The tire noise & vibration is still there. the tires are Continental. My owners manual had tire info for 2 other brands. I guess Continentals are cheaper for Volvo. I am shocked by the poor ride from a supposedly good company. My VW Passat rode much nicer. I drive the same highways to work an hour each way, so noise is very upsetting. I will try to go up the ladder for the tires I should have had. I was told the wind noise is norm

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  CPO - Very Reliable - 2007 Volvo S40
  By JG - July 18 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this car with approx. 20000 mi CPO from my local dealer. I have changed the oil every 5000 mi, not factory recommended 7500. I now have 82000+ miles on the car. Ive only had to take it in twice for repairs. Once for something very minor and the second time for the A/C going out intermittently on very hot days in South GA. Thank goodness it was CPO! They replaced the compressor (with new clutch assembly) and it is good as new. (Would have cost a mint had it not been covered under the extended warranty - $1200+) Overall, good entry vehicle into the premium compact sedan market. The 2.4i could use 20-30 more HP, but the MPG is great. Average 27 mixed. 31+ Highway.

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  Volvo XC 90 T6 Turbo AWD Fantastic! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Elizabeth - July 17 - 12:23 pm

  I purchased my Volvo XC90 4 years ago, and Im very happy with my decision. For a large SUV, this one drives smoothly - not like a truck. Its very easy to handle. The steering/turning radius is incredible; it turns on a dime. Contrary to a couple of the reviews here, my experience with the acceleration is very positive. I find that theres no lag time between braking and resuming driving. In fact, when the light turns green, my XC90 gets the jump on cars beside me (and I dont floor it). Although I have the third row, I mostly keep it down; my family is able to take long trips with seemingly no end to the cargo space. While no gas-saver, I get around 19 city and 23 highway.