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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  THis Will Help - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Jay W - August 19 - 8:20 am

  I have 2 Volvos:850 & V70 both with nearly 200K. As you read these reviews, bear in mind there are 2 kinds ov Volvo owners: those who dont do squat themselves & expect 0 maintenance cuz its a Volvo and get disappointed when they get gouged from dealers. (industry wide) And the other group are folks like me who do work selves and run em 4 ever. By huge margin, easiest to work on, extremely durable well-made. Dont be intimidated by the ignorance-based reviews: these cars will run for 300K easy! look online for maintenance helpful volvo sites! the inline 5cyl GM tried to copy: the motor is bulletproof!Local tranny shop almost never sees Volvos! Neg w/Vs=little plastic trim interior stuff.

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  Awesom - 2003 Volvo S40
  By tdta817 - August 18 - 10:00 am

  I test drove the Audi A4, VW Passat, but finally settle on the S40. Its nicely built, good controls, acceleration, and excellent safety features for small car.

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  No repairs, no complaints! - 1998 Volvo S70
  By mrbean - August 18 - 10:00 am

  Bought used S70 in 1998 and still driving it. Plan to keep it until it falls apart, but doesnt look like that will happen anytime soon. Has 95,000 miles currently, and has never had one repair - yes, you read correctly - zero repairs. I take it to the dealer every 5,000 miles religiously for factory recommended maintenance. I wonder how many of the other drivers who are experiencing problems have the factory recommended maintenance performed. By the way, the same day I bought my second Volvo, I met a lady customer at the dealership who was also purchasing a new S70 the same day-she traded in a 10 year old Volvo with 265,000 miles on it. Interesting...

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  Trouble!!! - 1998 Volvo S70
  By jsun - August 18 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used with 50000 miles on it. I thought it had a good reliability rating, boy I was wrong!!! I had a rear seal leak, a axle leak, the a/c started leaking and it ran hot on me and the needle would not go back to cold. I had a 1985 Mercedes 300D Turbo diesel with 230000 miles that I would drive a long distance before I would trust this junker. I traded it for a new Mercury Sable LS Premium...Maybe it will give me better service.

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  Bad handling - 2003 Volvo S60
  By hotdog - August 18 - 2:00 am

  Nice car but tracks terrible. It will follow groves in the road and cause you to swerve to regain control. Also during hard acceleration vehicle will swerve from side to side.

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  VOLVO JUNK - 2000 Volvo S40
  By Volvo S40 - August 17 - 9:43 pm

  I bought the car 4 years ago and after 1 year all the problems started, I nearly replaced half of the car about 35 parts estimated cost about $4,500 in parts (bough for $9,500) a lot changed myself to save some money. Every time I changed something I kept telling myself oh after changing this it would run good without problems. So now the first chance I will get I am getting rid of it. I have another car, toyota and no problems. I will be getting toyota as soon as volvo is gone. I feel bad for the next person who is going to get it. Car still have problems and no mechanic can figure it out, why cant it start right away, you have to crank on it for a while. JUNK JUNK JUNK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Love the XC VOLVO - 2007 Volvo V70
  By MHR26 - August 17 - 8:20 pm

  I bought a similar version in 2001 and drove my Volvo for over 185,000 with no issues other than routine maintenance. The engineering is fantastic, fuel economy is good considering size and weight of the vehicle. Safety is fantastic and overall, best car I have ever bought.

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  AWD - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Martin - August 15 - 11:10 pm

  Purchased the S60 in 2008 since it was one of the few sedans offering AWD which I need in the winter. I loved this car since my first drive and almost 2 years later, still am extremely happy. May be the best vehicle I have owned and Im 65 years old. I would seriously consider purchasing another S60 again. I received excellent service from the dealership. It came with an expended 100k miles, 6 yr warranty which has already paid dividends

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  Greatest luxury vehicle - 2007 Volvo S40
  By sbgrly805 - August 15 - 1:40 pm

  My father purchased this vehicle for me and not only is it a luxury vehicle, it has great gas mileage and it is extremely fun to drive. The trunk is a great size and holds more than the average sedan. I am thoroughly impressed with my new vehicle and I recommend this car to everyone who can afford it.

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  You may have big trouble with S60 - 2003 Volvo S60
  By Incubus - August 14 - 4:13 pm

  Well, Ford-owned Volvo needs to improve a lot. After riding a year, the engine of S60 stops sometimes during maneuver and the big problem cannot be fixed yet. The suspension is now too soft to give firm ride comfort and the interior makes a rather noisy sound.