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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  Never Again - 2008 Volvo C70
  By Brian - June 5 - 10:00 am

  I was never more excited to get behind of the wheel of this car. Its sexy in black with a white interior. Although the inside isnt much to write home about, the outside catches eyes. Thats about it. In 3 years, its been in the shop countless times...broken AC, heat, another issue with the engine. The top has malfunctioned 3 times in the last 2 months...twice in the last week alone. Not what Id expect for the cost. Contacted corporate and they were nice to send out some rebate coupons if I wanted to buy more stuff from Volvo. yeah right. Its looking the brakes need to be replaced too after only 28K miles. Id rather have a KIA

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  Dissapointed - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Dos santos - June 2 - 6:53 pm

  With gas prices as they are, this purchase was as much about fuel economy as was safety and styling. The EPA ratings say 22 city/ 30 highway. City driving we get 16 and highway 21. This is so far off the mark, I feel ripped off. The dealership just says there are variations. Other than using the AC, I drive as fuel efficiently as possible. I have no problems with our other cars. I bought this to help save money opn gas but I guess Ill have to drive my 7 passenger Toyota SUV , 8 cylinder,that gets gas mileage just shy of these numbers. Why is it some auto makers test their vehicles more accurately than others???

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  Volvo didnt stand behind the car - 1996 Volvo 850
  By CraigJ - May 30 - 2:00 am

  AC died while still under warranty, they "fixed" and it died again after two months use. Turned out to be a design flaw due to new refrigerants, evap rotted from inside out. Dealer and Volvo refused to defray any cost whatsoever, cost me $1300. NEVER AGAIN...

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  Sorry to rate so poorly - 2000 Volvo V70
  By jaxroon - May 26 - 2:00 am

  We were very excited about our purchase, we both dreamed of owning a Volvo for years. Were we just unlucky or is this vehicle one of the most unreliable, poorly manufactured automobile ever made? Constant sensor issues (each sensor cost approx. $500. New Tranny after 35,000 miles. Bulbs constantly blowing, electrical problems, a new angle gear ($2500) after $85,000 miles. Software upgrade for the new tranny after 2 yrs, and the list goes on and on...this car must have cost us $10K in repairs, towing and scheduled maintenance for the 4 years we have owned it. Just a warning folks!

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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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  5 year milestone review - 1998 Volvo S70
  By Kerry Kim - May 21 - 10:00 am

  Purchased the car because of a new baby and our desire to drive a "safe" car. Turns out its also fun to drive and quite comfortable. I wish it had fewer electrical problems (headlights and taillights need to be replaced with some frequency) and was a little quieter when cruising on the freeway.

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  great when working - 1999 Volvo S80
  By volvo s80 t6 - May 21 - 8:53 am

  had this car over three years and when it was good it was great, but had a consistent throttle problem that even the dealer couldnt figure out and also a engine sludge problem even though the oil was changed at 3k intervals, thought maybe this was a t6 problem but as i see the base model has repeat problems that are common with other volvos, these are obviously not the volvos of yesteryear.I would purchase another volvo, but definitely not a turbo of any kind

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  Dont Do It - 2003 Volvo S40
  By RObert - May 12 - 2:00 am

  Lots of rattles, odds and ends that break. Sure, its all under warranty, but each time another visit to the dealer for service, and who has time for that? My visits went like this, "yeah, youre right its broke, but we have to order the part, so youll have to bring it back," doubling my number of visits! Defects included chech engine light on at least 6 xs, gas cap lock broke, hazard switch broke, sun roof mechanism broke, and, for the first time with any car Ive ever owned, rear bakes went on it after one year, ate into the rotors (not covered under warranty) causing $400 worth of damage.

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  Sadly were mostly disappointed - 2011 Volvo V50
  By darkknight1999 - April 29 - 12:48 pm

  Well in a little over a year and Im done with this car. The quality is just not there for the money. Things break inside and out. Examples: The plastic cap on the e-brake pops off and is now floating around the car; the rear tow hook bumper plug broke and fell out, so thats now missing; the front seat covers on the back that are roll under and clipped in pop off and are lose. The engine is loud... almost sounds broken. The brakes give off sooooo much dust if you dont wash the wheels twice a week in a month theyll be black. The tires that came stock, out of a list of 30 different tires are number 27... almost the worst you can get. Not exactly Safe+Sound!!! Snow tire are a must!!!

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  Volvo Does Not Get It - 1999 Volvo V70
  By V70 - April 25 - 10:00 am

  My 2nd Volvo Wagon. Surprised to find it listed as a luxury car. The tan on my leather wrapped steering wheel comes off on my hand. I drive with my right hand on the passenger seat to keep it from rattling and the car has a rough idle(dealer says idle is "normal"). The V70 has distinguished itself by racking up over $1,500 in non-routine- maintainance costs in the seven months since the warranty expired. Other components had failed under the warranty period. Now that Subaru has turbocharged the Forester and is offering a leather package, guess what my next wagon will be? Originally bought a Volvo because of the reputation for safety AND durability.