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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  Sleeper - 2006 Volvo S60
  By Acer - November 18 - 10:43 pm

  After a long research period and a slew of test drives (shucks) I finally selected the S60 R. My selection criteria were: 300 hp, AWD, and convertible; and I looked at GS300 AWD, G35 AWD, Z Roadster, M3, 330 xi, C55 AMG, SLK 350, WRX STi, and S4. None of the cars match all three criteria, but the S60 R did the best at the most affordable price. I also like the fact you dont see them everywhere like you would with a BMW. And aside from a few small "R"s there is nothing that readily identifies this Volvo as the hot rod version. The S60 R is the atheltic WRX STi that has grown up and wearing a suit and tie.

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  Disappointed with 2000 V70XC SE - 2000 Volvo V70
  By Jarod Focha - November 18 - 4:20 am

  We bought this vehicle when my wife and I decided to have kids for safety reasons. I bought it with only 42K on it. Dealership had just gone through it and I have the $2K receipt to prove it. Immediately I had problems with the front axle. My mechanic was able to get Volvo to pick up the $2K bill. When the vehicle hit 75K miles the car began falling apart. Turbo went out $2.5K. Car never drove the same after changing it out at the dealership. Shudders, runs rough. 2 months later the fuel pump went out another $2K. 1 month the axle and AWD need repair another $1K. When it goes it goes and nothing is cheap. Not your ideal vehicle if you cannot afford expensive, frequent repairs.

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  Volvo S-80 Nice Looking but a Letdown - 2003 Volvo S80
  By dannyroche - November 17 - 2:00 am

  Problems (2) transmission services link bushing replacement and one front strut changed before 50K warrenty expired!!! second strut at 60K door lock ($220) at 70K heated mirror ($200) at 73K Care is nice to drive and nice looking. Car has great safety features. Good performance with the T-6, a tad too much torque due to FWD. Too Bad Volvo has not figured out that there is one thing ahead of safety. THE CAR MUST BE RELIABLE......

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  Gorgeous Styling - 2003 Volvo S60
  By MikeJr - November 17 - 2:00 am

  The Nautic Blue with 17" Tethys wheels is absolutely gorgeous! The styling is unique and does not look like the other European "jelly bean" sedans. It has an Italian design flair to it.

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  These are sweet cars! - 2006 Volvo XC70
  By VolvoForLife - November 15 - 9:06 am

  I just purchased a 2006 XC70 AWD wagons and I am very pleased. This car is made for road tripping or just cruising around town in style, comfort and safety. Sweet ride Volvo.

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  Great Car - 2005 Volvo S40
  By David Beardsley - November 14 - 4:23 pm

  When I began test driving cars, I really hadnt given Volvo any thought. In Portland, Volvo means the big boxy station wagons you see all over SE. The S40 came up on some comparable vehicles lists and on a whim I test drove the T5. After that everything else I drove seemed like a cheap garbage. The car is very smooth and quite, has a great interior, and I love the body style. You wont be racing Mustangs off the line but on the highway passing is great fun. Im 6, 200lbs, which I dont consider that big, but the S40 was one of few cars I felt like I fit into. Only wish I couldve afforded the AWD. :)

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  Repeated Electronic problem - 2006 Volvo V50
  By marc - November 13 - 10:40 am

  I have been having repeated problem with the check engine, engine shutting down on the hwy and ignition key that cannot be removed from the ignition I bought a volvo for safety and reliability. I never had an accident therefore cannot comment on safety. On the reliability side it have been very expensive to maintain and very unreliable 1) Day 1 engine light 2) 2 month in ignition key stuck 4) 50K replace all tires alignment not properly done by Volvo dealer 5) 85kRigh rear bearing 6) 100k Engine light and engine shutting down while driving, many trip to the dealer problem disappeared on its own after 125K 7) 145K more problem with ignition key Im now look at selling it

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  My all-time favorite car! - 2006 Volvo S80
  By Laura Deihl - November 12 - 3:20 pm

  What a joy to drive. Handles great, comfortable. Feel totally confident and secure. Amazing such a safe car has such a lovely, almost sporty feel to a luxurious ride. Sumptuous. Perfect size.

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  Whats wrong with my Volvo - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Rainman4 - November 11 - 10:00 am

  I bought a Volvo for dependability and safety. It is a very comfortable car to drive and I like it. However, within 18 months I have had it in the shop for repairs 4 times. Once was the transmission, once the fan and twice the cup holder. The cup holder is once again broken. I am disappointed in the quality of this car.

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  Im happy with it. - 2005 Volvo V70
  By Skredberry - November 11 - 8:06 am

  First volvo for our family. After EXTENSIVE searching , we landed on the Volvo v70 non-turbo, specifically for gas mileage and not having to use 93 octane. I can get about 400 miles to a tank, so on top of great mileage, I go long time between fill ups. We bought after having a baby and the stadium seating is great for a car seat to see out the window. My husband is 6 and has some difficulty getting comfortable in the drivers position (the s40 we had for a loaner was roomier, he said). Ive been very comfortable driving it and it has nice pickup. I didnt give a 10 for performance because after going from a VWGolf this is not as easy to handle. Good car for antiSUV ppl.