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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  Versatile Wagon - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By Corvallis - April 14 - 10:50 am

  Volvo XC70 was a huge upgrade for us - more safety, more comfort, more space, more reliability. My wife and I still really like this car. We justify the expense by having it as the only regular driver. Also more cost to purchase and I dread the first major repairs given the Volvo reputation. Friends say "expensive to fix, but worth fixing". Mileage is good for AWD, but the 99% use pattern as a commuter/road car makes the AWD hard to justify. Hope to use AWD more often in future. Great road trip car, very comfortable. Get about 20-22 mpg city/~26 mpg hwy. So far (over 4 years) havent had major mechanical problems. Hoping this car lasts a long time - shooting for 15 years.

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  Bought for the kids but now Im keeping this one - 2000 Volvo S70
  By k_in_austin - April 14 - 1:31 am

  I love this car. I did buy it initially as a safe vehicle for my teens but it drives so much better than my 2004 xc70. This car is a hidden gem--the 2000 model year was the last year this was made, the last year of truly Swedish Volvos, way ahead of its time with side curtain airbags, also quite luxurious. Waited for a gem and found a base model with less than 100K, well cared for, bought for $4400. Have had it for 1 yr. I like that it is a great size, runs quietly, handles well, steering assist is just right, visibility terrific, seats comfortable.

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  Lemon - 2006 Volvo S40
  By Kim, FL - April 13 - 6:06 am

  Love the car, perfect for me being a college student. Fun and sporty and perfectly smooth ride, excellent interior design and comfort. However, within 2 years of owning the vehicle, I encountered numerous problems with it starting due to electronic faults and technological issues. Buy with caution to save yourself headaches.

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  Love my S40 - 2003 Volvo S40
  By motor_city_smitty - April 13 - 2:00 am

  Solidly built. I could tell it is a quality vehicle when you shut the door and sit in the interior. The inside dash is well laid out.

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  Exactly what I wanted - 2008 Volvo C30
  By Mr. Morris - April 12 - 6:23 am

  I bought this after looking for 4 months for cars, using price, options, powertrains, looks and several other things. Minus not being AWD, I was able to get everything I wanted nothing I didnt need. I was able to steal mine for 22k after I put 32.5k in options on it. sometimes I hate the way it looks but its a love hate thing(its cause its a hatchback) and I love the drive. no matter how I feel my ride centers me. I have put a lot into since I bought, being 25 I couldnt help but want more power agility and style. Always still even now grabs eyes and the great feeling when someone take a shot of it with their cell phone. find buy love.

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  Steady if unspectacular. - 2000 Volvo S40
  By PSedrish - April 11 - 10:00 am

  2.5 yrs and no major downtime....still very peppy....a little bland to look at maybe....stereo could be lots better.

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  Nwe S40 2002 - 2002 Volvo S40
  By Gerald - April 11 - 10:00 am

  I did a lot of research and reading prior to buying this vehicle. For the money this is an excellent choice of a European made car. My performance has been nothing but excellent. The day after I purchased it we took it on a long business trip (300 miles) and it was super to ride in and fun to drive. The folks at Volvo listened to those who complained. Cup holders have been moved and the service light problem fixed.

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  Volvo has lost a customer! - 1998 Volvo S70
  By goodleto - April 11 - 10:00 am

  When took delivery, one door wouldnt open because the door lock was broken. Since then, the car has had numerous headlight replacements; the headlight on/off switch has failed; the ashtray retaining clip broke (neither of us are smokers and dont use the ashtray); the heating coil cracked, spilling coolant inside the car; all of the door gaskets have been removed, reinstalled, and finally glued in; the taillight assembly has been repaired twice and replaced; the cruise control has failed; the retaining clips for the under dash trim panel have broken; the steering column trim clips have broken and separated; and the air conditioner has failed.

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  Tranny issues plague C70 - 2004 Volvo C70
  By ncmommy - April 10 - 1:29 pm

  I bought my 2004 in 2005 and love the look with the top down. The main thing to watch out for is the transmission!!! At 90,000 miles it began to slip and by 120,000 I had to have it rebuilt to the tune of $3500. Since having this work done Ive not had any additional issues but was sorely disappointed in this Volvo as Ive owned 6 and this one just pooped out. Another thing to watch is to never drive up too close to a parking curb!!! The bumper is so flexible and low to the ground as to let the car easily run up. Due to the shape it will literally rip off when you back up. This has happened to me 2x and I swear Im not being as stupid as this sounds.

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  R does stand for Race - 2004 Volvo S60
  By duner - April 9 - 10:00 am

  We had a C70 crap! S60R is a much nicer more modern vehicle. Ride and performance is great. Brakes are Brembo fabulous but they always squeal, always! Turning Radu=ius is very poor. Car sticks like glue and scoots when you squeeze it. 5 speed auto is nice,manual function in up shifting has to much hesitation. audio system sounds really nice but very hard to operate and display is barely readable in sunlight. lights are great as well.