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 great buy! - 2009 Volvo S60
  By Jeanie - August 25 - 8:50 am

  I have always driven large suvs (suburban, escalade, Tahoe), but with my new position I needed something to be driving out of town frequently (prev drove Accord, Avalon cts for work travel). I looked at the c class Benz, BMW, Cadillac. But the safety ratings & Volvo service are irreplaceable. The fact that there are no luxury dealerships in my town means that whatever I bought had to have great service & road side assist. I love this car! I wish I could have waited for the new model, but got a terrific deal on this one. You cannot beat Volvo quality no matter how serene & sedate you feel the styling is. Once you drive one & ride in one you are hooked!

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  great SUV - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By YL - August 24 - 11:20 pm

  We had Honda Pilot for 2.5 years -no comparison to XC90. Volvo rides more like a luxury sedan, not your typical SUV. Great stability at speeds up to 100mph -did not try faster because of fear to get a speeding ticket. Body roll is very minimal, suspension is great so far. One problem -stuck front seat cap holder cover - was fixed by the dealer ( they already have a service notice).

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  Excellent SUV - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By Dino G - August 23 - 3:03 am

  Enjoy this vehicle quite a bit. Spacious, comfortable with excellent seats. Smooth I6 combined with 6sp tranny gives very good fuel economy for this kind of vehicle.

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  V40 is terribly unreliable - 2002 Volvo V40
  By Frustrated V40 Owner - August 23 - 2:00 am

  Great looking car -- too small to be useful for my family. BUT -- this is the least reliable vehicle I have owned in my life -- air mass meter replaced, cruise control replaced three times, front control arms and ball joints replaced after 20,000KM, numerous squeaks and rattles. Avoid this vehicle at all costs.

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  Two Thumbs down - 2002 Volvo V70
  By Richs saturn - August 23 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for approx 8 months and it has been in the shop six times. Several times for a squeaking front end (never fixed), a burned out power lock motor, a bad power window motor and a leaking power steering pump. Whats next. This is the first car Ive owned that is not Japanese. What a mistake. Next time Ill buy a Honda.

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  XC90s cool mode is always on - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By faliin561 - August 23 - 2:00 am

  my friend only talked about this vechicle for months. i now cant ador much more. its ride is very car like ride. it has volvo safty.

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  Awesome - 2003 Volvo S60
  By DanB - August 23 - 2:00 am

  Great car! no problems! never been so happy with a new car. build quality is excellent

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  Loved this car! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By jena - August 22 - 7:56 pm

  Bought this car used a year ago with ~30K miles on it to replace a 00 Jeep Grand Cherokee. I loved the XC90. It is so fun to drive, looks great, has great options (heated seats, navi, dvd, wood steering wheel, etc), was comfortable to sit in, and had no big problems. Only in the shop once when I thought it was making a funny noise. Dealership was great, it was still under warranty so they fixed noise and a couple other things (stereo light had gone out). Had two kids with car seats in the 2nd row. Access to the 3rd row was hard, but you really cant fit a human being in the 3rd row anyway. Better to keep the 3rd row down for more cargo room. Sadly totaled this car but it kept us safe!

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  XC90 Never Again! - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By volvofrom englewd - August 22 - 3:06 am

  I have owned many cars, never one like this. I am at the service bay at least twice a month-sometimes more. I have replaced just about everything in my XC90. At 80,000 miles expect to purchase a new transmission. I have already replaced my manifold, radiator- twice, brakes (twice a year) and tires annually (thanks to the awd-at least thats what ive been told). The only thing I havent replaced is the steering wheel- at least not yet! And my T6 is dangerously slow!

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  Consumer Beware!! - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Joy - August 20 - 6:46 am

  Purchased this car from private seller at 20,000 miles. Previously had a 240 sedan and wagon. Thought this was the most beautiful and comfortable car I had ever experienced. The love affair was short lived. Constant problems with electronics, sensors, throttle, ball joints, computer modules... at 80,000 miles was told ball joints needed replacing (I found out at that time that they had been recalled and replaced prior to my purchasing from seller). Unreliable and expensive car to repair!! Company does not seem to care that their customers were sold an expensive piece of junk. Trying to get rid of now... not running, needs $3500 more, will just sell for junk which it is! Never another Volvo!!