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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  Pleasure to drive - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Phytophile - June 12 - 2:00 am

  At first I was a little disappointed that my S80 2.9 did not feel as sporty or precise in driving as I had expected, but I discovered that tire pressure is very important. The tires were somewhat underinflated. Inflating to the suggested pressure transformed the feel of the car into all I had hoped!

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  Volvo 2000 V70XC - 2000 Volvo V70
  By Kwame - June 11 - 10:00 am

  It is a great and fun car!

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  I love it! - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Michelle - June 10 - 9:26 pm

  I bought my Volvo S60 new in 2001 and just turned 92,000 miles. For the most part, I have taken the car in for regular service maintenance. It has been a solid, reliable and fun to drive car. I have read some of the reviews below and I dont know why I havent experienced any of the issues. The only thing I can say, is my car was maintained through the dealership. As the salesperson suggested, I changed the oil every 7,500 miles not the 3,500 recommended for most cars. Volvo has truly delivered with this car! The seats are comfortable. I have sat in the drivers and front, passenger seat and have absolutely no complaints.

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  Ok so far - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By scarmydude - June 10 - 8:34 pm

  We purchased a used 2004 XC90 in June 2011 with 98,000 miles. We have 111,000 to date. Only issue was we had to replace timing belt at dealer suggestion, otherwise normal maintenance. So far it has been trouble free except for routine maintenance. I hope we got a good one since I plan to keep it for at least another 50,000 miles.

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  volvo 850 turbo - 1996 Volvo 850
  By patagonia - June 8 - 10:00 am

  great car high performance comfotable suprisingly fast and nimble loaded with features that would be extra costly on other makes

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  This Car is Possessed! - 1999 Volvo S80
  By wmscox - June 8 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car 2 years ago with the check engine light on and spent the past two years replacing everything trying to get it to go off and stay off. The car stays in the shop more than it stays on the road...it is a joke at my job, that my car is in the shop AGAIN!!! I can not afford to sell it, because I owe almost twice as much on it as the blue book value. It was wrecked and it cost $8,000 to fix it...my insurance company didnt want it either...Volvo should be sued for such shotty workmanship. This was my second Volvo, the first was a charm. I am very DISAPPOINTED and I tell everyone who admires how the car looks, not to buy a 1999 model.

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  "R" as in Remarkable - 2004 Volvo V70
  By Ben Parrish - June 8 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this vehicle for a little less than 3-months.During that time I have had an opportunity to get to know my "R".My first impression was,nice - styling,but what else does it do? It didnt take me long to find out!!! From its sumptious interior to its "G"Force acceleration this is one Heck of a station wagon!!! After Looking over from one-end to another,I finally got in for a test drive.That 30-minute test drive sold me on this vehicle.What began as infatuation has turned into a full fledge love affair! Each day I drive this car I like it just a little bit more!

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  this is what I call car!!!! - 2002 Volvo C70
  By David Nagler - June 6 - 10:00 am

  This car is so fun to drive you will never want stop.The sound system is incredible, the engine is incredible, and the handling is incredible.The car is incredible!!!!!

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  No more VOLVO - 1999 Volvo S80
  By skipper - June 6 - 10:00 am

  Can you spell unreliable. Let me help you! VOLVO 1999 S-80 T6. If time and money are no object, here is your car. You will need both for your numerous trips to the service department. If you enjoy seeing your check engine warning light illuminate weekly this is the vehicle for you. What an engineering flaw. Obviously others have had the same problems I have experienced, yet no releif from Volvo exists. I have steered numerous friends and clients away froming buying this vehicle. Could be a great car but sadly isnt. Look to BMW, Acura for better value and more reliability.

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  New Volvo Owner for LIfe - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Genny6 - June 6 - 10:00 am

  I did a lot of research, shopping and driving of comparable cars. The T5 is a fantastic combination of safety, performance, comfort and luxury. I had seriously considered the S70 (boxy body style) a couple of years ago and now much prefer the sleek and sporty look of the T5. I have put many town and highway miles on the car in 11 months and I enjoy every day on the road. I love the turbo power. It is great fun passing other cars on big hills and the highway with power to spare!