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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  nice suv - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By jaclyn - July 17 - 10:53 am

  This is our first high-end suv. I must say you get used to the creature comforts offered by this class of suv very quick. The performance is excellent, the ride is excellent for an suv, and the fit and finish is perfect. Fuel economy is okay, as we obtain an average of between 17 and 17.5. We also have a mid-priced suv, and all you need do is take a ride in each of them to see the difference. Other than scheduled service intervals, the only repair has been to a faulty cd player, and a tire vibration at 2k miles. The dealer replaced both items with new ones.

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  Be careful where and how you get repairs done - 1998 Volvo V70
  By coldjensens - July 15 - 7:15 pm

  We just bought a 1998 V70 XC awd with 238,000 miles on it. WE quickly learned something it may be helpful to pass on. Volvo delaership work and Volvo parts will break you. Example: Heater core replacmeent - from Volvo $800. It is a two hour job and you cna do it for less than $200. Or you cna find a good independant mechanic who does not blindly charge book rates and get it done for $400. Front Struts - this needs to be done by a professional unless you have special tools or knowledge, but you cna pay over $1000 at Volvo or about $600 at a decent indy shop. There are quite a few other items that are relatively easy to do yourself and if you find after market parts -

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  Its getting traded in!! - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Happy days ahead... - July 15 - 4:46 pm

  What can I say this thing is like a boat...happy day when you get it and even happier when you sell it! Get this junker out of my life....Im getting killed on the resale and Im thrilled! Im just so sick of the redundant issues and poor quality. Volvo, my Grandpa would be ashamed of you...he owned nothing but Volvos his whole life! Only two good things to say 1. Never left me stranded 2.Fun to drive when running right (so not too often)! IM FREE...IM FREE!!!!!

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  Our Family Car - 2003 Volvo V70
  By Arne Fagerli - July 10 - 7:20 pm

  We bought this car almost a year ago and have driven 10,000 miles with it. 1,000 miles into the ownership the automatic transmission had to be replaced. I am so happy that we bought warranty on the car, so all we had to pay was the $250 deductable. We love the practicality of the Volvo V70. We have a baby, so space is very important and this car has enough space for the 3, the stroller and then some. The interior is nice, super comfortable seats and very good sound from the premium sound system. It is also a big plus to have the original navigation system, which is hard to find on used Volvos. My only complaint is the quality. It is far from the level of Honda. Other than that it is great

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  One Year There (almost) - 2008 Volvo C30
  By ph001c - July 10 - 7:20 pm

  I purchased this car in Aug 2008. The 2009s had been released and I got a killer deal. I as replacing an 11yo Honda Civic with suspension upgrades that I *loved*. I did not think I could find a car to replace the Civvie. I really wanted an A4 Avant with manual (good luck finding one) but wound up x-shopping the A3, GTI, Mazda 3, Focus and Impreza. I have drove them all. The C30 was the best package for me. We have a two year old daughter but we also run a Mazda CX9. I only needed marginal utility. The C30 has just enough. (I recently took a road trip to hike the Grand Canyon. Three guys, full packs/gear.) The C30 is a superb touring car.

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  Great Car - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Max Monrovia - July 10 - 10:00 am

  Cant beat it for the money, Unless you want to drive something ugly. Its fun to drive, fast, and quick. I find myself driving much faster than normal and cursing those who drive merely 10mph over the speedlimit, because the car makes it so easy to do. Looks good (specially for a Volvo). Plus it has all of the thoughtful conviences youd expect from a luxury car.

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  S40 - 2003 Volvo S40
  By Dshark - July 10 - 10:00 am

  never owned a near-luxury vehicle but the S40 is fantastic so far. The gas mileage takes some getting used to as I previously owned a Mazda Protege LX. Also, it had a manual trany. Great.

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  Performed moderately well - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By MomInAZ - July 10 - 10:00 am

  Aside from looking great on the road, the XC90 has a few weak spots. There is a blind spot on both the driver and passenger sides which block peripheral vision in a very disruptive and dangerous way. A surprise for Volvo who appears concerned with safety. No other severe blind spots, but extreme caution must be taken to overcome this. After the first service at 7500, we completed MANY warranty repair issues. Yikes. Some minor, but one major issue with brakes. Days after this service, the check engine light appeared. The service dept at our local dealer was so slow, Ive yet to service. Good luck!

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  steering/poor - 2002 Volvo S60
  By R.J.D. - July 10 - 10:00 am

  When taking turns, they are poor because ,of front wheel drive.Very tuff in tight parking spots.Try it before you buy.GOOD LUCK.

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  S40T5 - great when its not in the shop - 2005 Volvo S40
  By jessenola - July 10 - 12:36 am

  I bought the S40T5 after my TSX was totaled. Its been in the shop 4 times: failed oxygen sensor, failed engine computer (requiring flatbed towing and a week-long wait for the part), check engine lights, failed fuel pump sensor, and a loose part in drivers door. Still the stereo stops working at random requiring a restart, the auto transmission shifts are so jerky in manumatic mode that I have to leave it in D, and there are rattles that the dealer refuses to acknowledge. At every service stop the local dealer service is pathetic. It is seriously fun to drive when it works, but the service is ridiculous.