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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  A Good little Sedan - 2002 Volvo S40
  By RMLV - May 26 - 2:00 am

  A nice peppy little sedan. The car is fun to drive and has all the features of larger cars.

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  LOVE IT! - 2001 Volvo S80
  By kristak107 - May 26 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned my T6 for 2.5 years and loved every second of it! The comfort, style, and features are fantastic. Since I have two little boys, I really appreciate all the safety features. That being said, every car has a few annoying problems. My turn signal works only occasionally-I just stick my hand out the window and use my bike signals. The rubber trim under the pass. door refuses to stay put. The cup holders are less than great. Maintenience costs! On the plus side, I just discovered that the front passenger seat folds down. I can buy 8 lumber, slide it all the way to the front and close the trunk!

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  Volvo S60 - 2001 Volvo S60
  By James Anthony - May 26 - 2:00 am

  This has been a great car. Very comfortable, very economical.

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  Not Bad - 2001 Volvo S60
  By freeworld - May 26 - 2:00 am

  Lots of squeaks, rattles, clunks, and electrical glitches. Otherwise it runs nicely, looks nice, and is EXTREMELY comfortable.

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  great car - 2002 Volvo S60
  By Scotttttt - May 26 - 2:00 am

  This is a great freeway car with great looks and the smoothness that seems like you are riding on glass, with power to spare!

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  Just Right - 2010 Volvo C30
  By Hondo123 - May 25 - 10:03 am

  We test drove a Mazda 3, Nissan Altima, and Mini Cooper S with the C- 30 as the spoiler. We found the Mini to ride HARD, have severely limited visibility, weird pedal placement, cramped, found the center speedo and other quirks just too annoying, and we know someone who sold theirs because it was too scary in the snow. We found the C-30 to be in a class by itself - a highly refined vehicle for an amazingly reasonable price. Fast, fun, engaging, safe, this purchase ended up being a no-brainer. Only downside is that Volvo dealerships dont appear to be too willing to deal. (Same w/Mini.) A LOT of car for the money. This vehicle is a class leader. See for yourself. Were very happy.

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  Awesome car with a few trips for repairs - 2000 Volvo S80
  By pmerch - May 24 - 11:40 am

  This car is very powerful and performs excellent. I purchased this used a few years ago with 85k miles. The issue has been the repairs such as suspension and the throttle body but that was covered from a recall. I must say its a comfortable car and looks great but it makes me nervous that a very costly repair is about to happen in the near future. Replacing the timing belt was not too expensive though and I recommend going to an independent shop unless you like to pay double the price and that can add up since this car goes in the shop every three months!

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  Get a Lexus! - 2002 Volvo S60
  By Liked My Lexus More - May 24 - 10:00 am

  Car has constant clanking. Vision is impaired when turning or driving a curve. whiplash protection seats move back of their own accord during normal driving. Car takes even small bumps really hard. Seat bottoms tend to force legs together (uncomfortable for female drivers). Hand brake makes it hard to get to anything (like a purse) on floor of passenger seat. Trunk almost impossible to open with the remote and once open is so stiff its hard to close. Gas mileage indicator nice idea, but not at all accurate.

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  Perfect Compromise - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Mike - May 24 - 5:43 am

  The objective reviews of this car are right on. On balance, the severe flaws in this car are outweighed by the advantages. I came from an Audi A4. The A4 just "felt" much better but the S60R blows the A4 away in pure speed and power. The S60R is not terribly reliable but more so than the A4. Both cars are expensive to maintain. The A4 was more comfortable inside and the A4 interior is more attractive.The safety features and the standard "extras" on the S60 far exceed the A4. There is a major problem with the turning radius of the S60R - MAJOR. The rear seat room in the S60R is nothing short of disgraceful. The stock tires on the S60R are dangerous; trammeling.This car is a compromise.

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  2004 Volvo review - 2004 Volvo S60
  By eturner - May 23 - 2:30 am

  Have owned two previous Volvos and now own two 2004 S-60 2.4 sedans. Have driven both long distance and around town and find them to be very enjoyable to drive.