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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  Best Car Nobody Ever Heard of - 2008 Volvo C30
  By Jack Rabbit - October 26 - 3:06 am

  Ive had mine for 9 months now and I have seen no more than a half a dozen on the road in all that time. I have to ask, why? Is the car-buying public as averse to doing some research as the voting public is? This car replaced my Audi TT ruined in a crash (excuse me while I shed a tear) and it is hard to tell the difference. The turbo and handling are TT class and I know enough now to want all the airbags and doors so solid it takes help to open them. So why arent they selling? Too much for the money. Economy conscious people seem not to want this much car. Personally, Im the nut who says, "if it runs on regular it must be crap." This car is fun, fast, and yet practical.

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  Comfortable car, but its a money trap! - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Lora - October 25 - 11:19 pm

  We purchased the 2005 Volvo xc90 in 2011 when it was 6 years old for $9000 which is great compared to the original ticket price of $47,000 when it was new. We bought it knowing the the 3rd row seat would not fold down. Other than that it looked great. We averaged about 16-17 mpg combined. The car itself is very comfortable but after a year of owning it, the electrical system began to fail. The dashboard would turn off while driving, the radio broke, and the windows wouldnt stay up. When we took it into the volvo dealership, they kept it for almost two weeks and finally (rudely) told us they could not figure out what the problem was. They also told us the 3rd row seat may cost up to $1000 to repair. A year later, we had problems with the almost brand new brakes. We had to have them replaced as well as all four of the $200 tires because of uneven wear. Recently, after a routine visit to the mechanic, we found out the the power steering needed to be replaced as well as the heavily fogged over headlight lamps which would cost us $2000. That was the breaking point for us and we decided to trade it in. On the way to the dealership the brakes gave out. They hesitated to give us $1000 trade in. This vehicle has been a money trap. Although the car is a comfortable ride and has an attractive interior, it is not worth the investment. Stay away. There is a reason these xc90s dont hold their value.

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  Completely Satisfied! - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Steve_Fisher_TBS - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I know the saying, usually the ones to speak up are the ones with complaints. I have no complaints at all! I bought this car used with about 20,000 miles. The car now has about 70,000 and has been like gold to me. I love getting in my car and driving every chance I get! Very comfortable and very reliable. Did I say fast? With its twin turbos, the T6 is incredible! Maintenance has been low and priced right. This car has exceeded my expectations and I am 100% satisfied with this model!

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  Radio Problems - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Ron - October 25 - 1:33 am

  My XC-90 has had very unusual problems, so the dealer informs me. One month out of warranty, the rear bearings needed to be replaced. The headlight covers are pitted and dis colored. The wheel nuts had to be replaced twice. The first time for rust the second time for wear???? The very last repair and most upsetting was for a new infotainment module. The problem began when the radio began looking like a disco. The lights began flashing and periodically the radio would shut off and the display would go blank. I can live without the radio, but when this problem corrupted the Air bag system to the point it might not work, I had to have it fixed at a cost of$1350.00 Volvo would do nothing

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  SKIP - 1999 Volvo S70
  By bradley smith - October 24 - 10:00 am

  EASY TO DRIVE WELL BUILT SEATS COMFORTABLE GOOD GAS MILAGE INTERIOR CLEANED EVERY TWO WEEKS ALWAYS GARAGED SERVICED EVERY 2500 MILES NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT

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  V50 2.4i 4dr Wagon (2.4L 5 cyl 5A) - 2007 Volvo V50
  By david - October 24 - 8:40 am

  Just bought our V50 yesterday and had an above average experience at the local dealer. Not pushy at all. Gave us a fair value on our trade in (93 Mazda 626). Car cost $30,000 + tax/tags. We also got 2.9% financing for 4 years. Car was loaded with following packages; Black Paint, Black Leather, Climate, Select, Trim Package, Body Styling package, Sirius Sat Radio. Very good looking wagon. I believe this was a fair price considering the added packages it came with and financing package (in lieu of incentives). Still need to drive it more for a review on handling but for a small family it appears to be a great alternative to a gas guzzling SUV.

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  excellent suv - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By karen - October 24 - 6:03 am

  this car is probably the best vehicle I have owned. I feel it beats the x5, fx35 and is the safest suv on the road

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  Love my Volvo - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Cape Cod - October 21 - 10:36 am

  From the first day I bought the car it has been great. I have to take it on long trips and Ive always felt safe even in some bad storms. I have a very steep driveway and in the winter the car handles it fine. It has great gas mileage for the size and comfort of the car. It still looks like new in and out. Im looking to buy another one.

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  A great drive - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Volvoägare - October 21 - 5:23 am

  This car is about the best car I have ever driven. It handles like a sports car, in particular when setting the chassis to "advanced". The quality of workmanship is high and both the interior and exterior design leaves nothing more to wish for.

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  Carls Review - 2007 Volvo V70
  By Carl Moore Houston - October 21 - 2:36 am

  I bought a 2007 V70 closeout which came with lots of options as a replacement for my wifes 940 which was totaled in a wreck -- great deal . The car is very comfortable driving and handling. The 2.5T has excellent pickup compared with the older B230F engine. Gas mileage is good -- approx 22 mpg around town.