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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  One of the best Volvo - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By POKEMON - June 27 - 10:00 am

  I own this car for 1 year now, the car is beautiful, drives like regular sedan, good performance, and adequate horsepower for tasks. The 3rd row seat is very well designed, even its a bit small compare to other makess 3rd row seat, but the safety feature of Volvo is absolutely unsurpassed. Even though its not the biggest when compare to Hondas Pilot, Toyotas Sequoia, Acuras MDX, but its definitely one of the best designed, best builded, and most fun to drive.

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  S60R...awesome and subtle - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Marty - June 26 - 3:06 pm

  I have driven an A4 Quattro and find the S60R hard to beat. After driving it the first 2000 miles in mixed driving, the unique power is really exhilarating yet efficient. The looks are unique with the 18" wheels without the added spoilers and such. Detail in the interior is very good and the upgraded sound system is awesome. I bought the Sirius and Ipod options and all kinds of entertainment is at my finger tips. I LOVE IT!!

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  Nice car - 2006 Volvo XC70
  By Rick - June 26 - 3:26 am

  This is a very comfortable car . the gas mileage is ok for this size engine and all wheel drive.

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  Great Car For this Segment... - 2007 Volvo S40
  By zumajay - June 25 - 7:13 am

  Ive owned a mid 90s Maxima SE, Miata M, and WRX... and to most dealers dismay, Im an avid test driver of new cars just for fun. The Volvo is really impressive: great exterior lines, beautiful clean and contemporary interior, and just awesome for its price. The initial build quality is nice and the materials used are great. Engine is by no means a monster but very well refined and gives a nice balance between performance, economy, and strong MPG.

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  My Last Volvo - Disapointing - 2008 Volvo XC70
  By jeffmay27 - June 25 - 12:23 am

  I have owned three Volvos in the last 10 years, always leased them for 4 years and got another one. This was my second XC70. This 2008 XC70 has been horrible, the day I got it one of the radiators sprung a leak and I Was forced to get it serviced on a Satruday. the sales rep did nto include an owners manual or the Volvo hotline. Since then the floating panel had to be replaced, the windows do nto go up and down properly. I took the car in at 82,000Km to get last warranty work done (I was late by 2K) and was told the rules - has to be under 80,000KM. I guess a 10 year history with a Company does not warrant any reverse loyalty. MY last Volvo - I will be glad when my lease is up Jul12.

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  I like my S80 - 2003 Volvo S80
  By S80Jim - June 24 - 2:00 am

  After 7 months, I have been impressed by this car. Very comfortable to drive. The exterior looks set this car apart since it is not another "me-too" look. Interior is well laid out and seats are very comfortable - even on long drives.

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  Great Car - 2000 Volvo S70
  By lorid - June 24 - 2:00 am

  The car has easy to use controls and handles well in the snow. It is a comfortable car. I like the split rear seats and the trunk space. I bought the car for safety and reliability. The only issue I have had is a defective battery. The dealership replaced it at no charge. The dealership has been great to schedule regular maintenance and even found a nail in one of my tires and had it plugged. The customer service and service has been good. I would recommend Volvo

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  2005 Volvo XC90 - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By littlerock2 - June 23 - 1:37 pm

  I bought a 2005 Volvo XC90 new in Feb of 2006 at the dealership in Athens GA. In Dec. of 2011, transmission had to be rebuilt at 87,000 miles for $4200 - dealership wanted $6500. Then in April 2012 at 92,000 miles, the engine started knocking - balance rod failure. I looked on line and Volvo has known that both these failures could occur in this make and model. Never did I receive any recall or info. I contacted Volvo of North America who offered no help to pay for these repairs. I did not rebuild engine - would cost almost what car was worth. I sold it to an auction company for $3600. Now drive a Toyota Highlander. Will never trust Volvo again.

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  Safe, Fun, Performance - Wifes car :( - 2005 Volvo S40
  By SaturnManMike - June 22 - 9:50 am

  Picked up a loaded T5... Was going to order a 2.4i but opted to drive the turbo... Worlds apart in acceleration. The car just wants to fly coming out of second gear. Sixth gear is great travling down the interstate. Handling is good on back roads. Little rough on the interstate, but that is to be expected. All the controls are laid out nicely - Center stack is really neat, did not even notice the storage behind it. Options on car - Premium, Sport, Audio, Climate, Convenience, DSTC, and BI- Xeon...

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  Loved the Car, but it has not lasted - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Aussies - June 21 - 10:56 pm

  All Volvo maintenance & service performed by Volvo. Taken for multiple service ref limp mode issue, hesitations, and brakes slipping driving from cold start. Oct2008 in limp mode then stopped dead after driven 40 miles. Towed to Volvo, Georgetown TX. Kept one week & said nothing wrong. Feb2009, after driven less than 2000 miles, took to Volvo Austin TX. S80 hesitated entering the service bay. Volvo wants $4000+ to repair right & left front spring seats, Hood shocks, Front brake pads, Front brake rotors, Four tie rods, Realignment, Lower right engine mount, Both lower control arms, Lower engine air guide, Transmission pan gasket, engine breather box, ETM dirty. How can all this be wrong now?