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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  7 years of enjoyment - 1999 Volvo V70
  By red deg - June 29 - 11:06 am

  My Volvo V70 AWD XC has been a great car, never any problems - just regular maintenance. It still looks and runs great. Ive driven it across the county a couple of times with my 2 kids and we have all enjoyed the ride! I hope my 7 year old will enjoy it as his first car 10 years from now.

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  Big Disappointment - 2004 Volvo S80
  By jimmi - June 29 - 12:56 am

  Ive had my car since almost new. For the first couple of years, it performed well. It went through routine maintenance. After 100k, problems started happening. In the last 3 months Ive spent over $4500 on repairs, from buying a new axle, brakes, brushes, repairing leaks...etc. (remind you this car goes through extensive routine service). The car has a nice title, but it comes with a price. Volvo is not the same Volvo weve all knew growing up. Its a Ford 500 :-(. I really dont want to buy a new car, but Im being forced to because I refuse to put another dime on fixing it. Im looking at more practical cars like, honda, acura, toyota, lexus. dont recommend a volvo, new or used.

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  Fun Car and Great Value - 2011 Volvo C70
  By Mike B - June 27 - 3:03 am

  Ive had the C70 for a couple of weeks. Compared the C70 to the BMW 3 series. Glad I bought the C70. Its a fun car to drive and very stylish. All the complaints Ive read in other reviews have been resolved with the 2011 model. It has plenty of power for my driving style and good passenger room. I have the convenience and climate packages. The car is a real head turner when parked at the local restaurant or gas station.

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  Lemon - 2000 Volvo C70
  By clm - June 27 - 2:00 am

  It was b/w Volvo and BMW. Many more BMWs than Volvos on the road and I now know why. More defects and recalls than any car ever owned. Dealer unable to fix problems - particularly the roof. Depreciates like a rock. At least mine was a lease. Dont be foolish - a worst buy choice.

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  Never Again - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Not A Happy Camper - June 27 - 2:00 am

  We purchased this vehicle used to replace a 1988 Volvo 740. We should have kept the 740! This car has spent more time in the shop than my previous 10 cars of many different makes. My problem areas have been A.C, anti lock brakes, air pump and check valve, cd player, just to name the major areas. Dont think that Volve will come to your aid after the warranty period. If you need an awd wagon,look at the Mercedes of this era. I know I am!

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  2000 S80 Wont buy another - 2000 Volvo S80
  By RGrabber - June 27 - 2:00 am

  This car is expensive to maintain which I anticipated upon purchase. what I didnt anticipate was the amount of maintinance. The electrical system is forever causing problems, I estiamte that I have had 6 bulbs replaced by the dealer and I have replace fuses at least 15 times. The stabilizer (at least thats what the dealer called them) seem to need replacement every 20,000 miles my next replacement (needed now) is outside the warranty. It may look better than previous Volvos but it isnt built better. Ill not replace this one with another Volvo.

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  Best SUV - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Wizardatruestar - June 27 - 2:00 am

  This is the best and safest SUV ever built. The safety features simply blow away the competition with innovative, state-of-the-art engineering. This vehical definatly raised the bar in the luxury SUV market. Now...try to get one!

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  Service Problems - 2006 Volvo C70
  By John - June 26 - 9:00 am

  This car is beautiful to look at but is at the dealership more often than at home. Leaks, stereo speaker rattles, and in three times for airbag indicators coming on. Add to that the tires wearing out completely after less than 10k miles with no assistance from volvo and Im not a happy camper. Tires cost $1200 to replace at under 10k miles.

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  Mixed bag - 2002 Volvo S60
  By Mugsy1499 - June 25 - 10:00 am

  Was willing to pay extra, but shouldve paid attention. Features made way more sense in my S70, which was totaled. Loud road noise, no pre-set radio station buttons, clock and odometer off when key is off, big blind spots, transmission slips, door locks are slow & no choice of lock or unlock on door control - dumb! Has been in the shop over 10 times for transmission & a/c. Seatbelt chokes driver - cannot adjust. Even new wipers skip and squeal. Zippo rear leg room.

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  Love my 2nd S40! - 2005 Volvo S40
  By nsg - June 25 - 10:00 am

  I leased my first S40 in 2001...when my lease expired I expected to try out another vehicle...possibly the Audi A4 or the BMW 325 series. After seeing the new S40 models I went to the dealership to test drive it...love at first sight. I must say this is a new and improved S40...much sportier and fancier than my last vehicle. I love the new design and features. Volvo for Life!