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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  Love this Wagon - 2007 Volvo V50
  By hollydnc - June 20 - 2:40 am

  This is my first wagon and I love the style and functionality of this car. I have had a couple of stain issues with the neoprene seats, but so far they have cleaned up pretty well with upholstery cleaner. I mainly purchased this vehicle to tote around my two dogs, but I also feel stylish driving around town. A bit of a premium price, but after two years, I am a happy volvo owner. We will see if it holds up as well as my Honda after 7 years, but doing great so far.

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  NASA on EARTH - 2005 Volvo XC70
  By George Karavitis - June 20 - 2:10 am

  Well im now 60 and went through many trials with all my vehicles, and they were many, This Volvo not like the rest! Volvo has done to the car, what NASA has succeeded to the space shutle, Long trips, comfortable, controls keep you company, they do everything without talking to you and at night they even relax your eyes, perfect ballance weight configuration, superb modulus of elasticity of the metal, sound and vibration minimal (dont feel it), not hard and stiff like the Mercedes or BMW, and soft like Lexus and most important it still caries the secret that only VOLVO owners know.

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  Bad Tranny Was The Last Straw - 1999 Volvo S80
  By WSV - June 19 - 1:33 pm

  After buying the car used from a Volvo dealership, I had traction control module and transmission service urgent warnings within about two months. The car must have been rode hard in a prior life and had some serious electronic/mechanic issues. TCM was replaced after losing control and ending up in a ditch. Followed up by a near-fatal loss of power due to a faulty Electronic Throttle Module on an expressway surrounded by semis going 75mph (dealer replaced on recall). Last straw was another bout of Transmission Service Urgent warnings that the dealer claimed meant needing a new transmission at less than 80K miles. Knock on wood, my 2005 S80 T6 has been problem free for 8 months cross-country.

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  Totally Satisfied! - 1999 Volvo S80
  By BigLand - June 19 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car in 2000. It was a 1999 S80 T6 and had 22,000 miles on it when I purchased it. I now have a little over 70,000 miles on my car and I am as happy as can be. The car rides great, is very comfortable, the twin turbos are wonderful, and the car has been very reliable. Other than regular maintenance, I have not had any repairs. If youre looking into a 1999 Volvo S80 T6, buy with absolute confidence. When I hit the 100,000 mark it should be paid off. I will look into another T6. This is definately the best car my wife and I have ever owned!

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  An incredible machine! - 2004 Volvo V70
  By jnielsen - June 19 - 2:00 am

  The Volvo V70 combines the fun and precision of a European sports sedan and the functionality of a SUV. Everything in Volvo literature and that the salespeople stated is true. This is one fine automobile.

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  Daines-Montana - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By CWDaines - June 19 - 2:00 am

  Out last 2 vehicles were a 540 BMW and Chev Tahoe. Both are great for purpose intended. The Volvo XC-90T6 is a marriage of both in a beautiful, very useful and excellent handleing package. Performance on snow and twisting mountain roads is exceptional.

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  Volvo s40 - 2002 Volvo S40
  By Lynn - June 18 - 9:30 am

  This is a fun car to drive. The gas mileage is decent. While a 4 dr sedan, there really is no leg room to speak of for adult passengers sitting in the back seat. I have cloth seats, and have had them cleaned twice in 2 years; even a water stain leaves a mark. Next time its leather for me. Overall, a nice car for 1 or 2 adults.

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  Bimmer to R - and very impressed - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Leejlb - June 17 - 6:20 pm

  I traded my 540 in on a Volvo R and its hard explain my enthusiasm. Sure, a Bimmer is performance - and Volvo stands for safety - until you drive it. Total performance all the time. Going for groceries has never been a faster trip and what a sleeper. One of the faster 4 door sedans on the road and the "R" emblem seems to disappear at a red light to the unsuspecting teenie racer with the lawn mower exhaust next to you... Great car so far - hope its BMW reliable in the future... :))

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  am radio users beware - 2001 Volvo S80
  By midthirties - June 17 - 10:00 am

  Beautiful car, nice ride, great head turning ratio. My biggest complaint is the am radio. Horrible reception!! I have had it fixed 4 times and had a new part installed to try and fix this. This becomes very annoying...and it gets worse when I plug in my cell phone.

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  A Little Disappointed - 2000 Volvo S80
  By LGC - June 17 - 10:00 am

  Car has been in the shop over 11 times in the year that I have had it. Little things, nothing real serious. Steering, vibrations, suspension. I will probably buy a BMW next.