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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  My volvo T5 - 1998 Volvo S70
  By TJC - May 10 - 2:00 am

  When i bought this car I was very excited. I bought this because i liked the styling and the safety rating. i bought this in 98 it has about 107kms on it now and its been back to the volvo dealer so many times for door locks, window motors/conrols, and small things like that.

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  Overall, Not Bad - 2008 Volvo XC70
  By revolver - May 9 - 2:46 pm

  Weve had Volvo sedans before, put this is our first wagon. Its a tank. I cant imagine a sturdier, more substantial vehicle. Its outstanding in rain and youre 100% confident in matters of traction and handling all the time. Amazingly comfortable overall. My issues? A perpetual rattle in the cargo area. Had it serviced, but the fix lasted only one day. Going back in again soon. Mileage? I had to shut off the display so I wouldnt cry- -long stretches on local roads at 6MPG. I probably average 16MPG overall. Would I recommend it? Yes, but think hard if youre mostly puttering around town because of the mileage.

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  My Volvo S80 T6 experience - 2004 Volvo S80
  By David Floyd - May 9 - 4:40 am

  Great road car, excellent fuel economy. Repairs include the heat/ac fan motor and controler, regular maintenance. Very comfortable for me, a 62" 245 lb man to take on a trip. Classic styling, starts whenever I need to go. Wife loves it.

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  Please stay away from this car. - 1999 Volvo S80
  By jd1isa2 - May 8 - 8:34 am

  I bought the car last year and has been a big vacuum due to all the repairs. from the transmission, to the airbags, to suspension. Everything went wrong. Stalled on me several times. Bought it because of the Volvo safety reputation, but totally not worth it. Heard the later versions are markedly better but Im staying away from this car.

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  Volvo strikes success again! - 2005 Volvo S60
  By LOVE THE S60! - May 6 - 12:23 am

  We had a 1999 S70 GLT and currently have a 2004 XC90. We traded in a 2005 Saab for as 2005 S60T this past weekend, and love the car. Feels heavy, handles well, and we expect it will be very safe and reliable. We have had an excellent track record with our Volvo purchases. My wife likes the car better than the Mercedes C240 we had (before the Saab), and hopefully it will be OUT of the shop much more than the Mercedes. Gets better mileage than the Saab we had (both were turbos) or the Mercedes.

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  You get what you pay for - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Corby - May 5 - 8:10 am

  I have had my XC90 for just over a year now. Its the best vehicle Ive ever owned but has some small drawbacks that I can overlook. The driver seat is already starting to feel as if it is wearing on the outer bolster. Overall it handles great for its size and does better than great on the autobahn in Germany at speed. The 6-speed tip-tronic changes are somewhat slushy during gear changes. I still compare it to the Touareg and LR3 that my co-workers have and I find it to be a better vehicle than theirs. Some of the options could come down in price. Over $3k for navigation is too much. I bought an aftermarket system for less than $600. But you pay quality money for a quality SUV.

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  Worst Car I Ever Had - 2000 Volvo V70
  By bdbest - May 4 - 8:00 pm

  Not even used cars I ever had gave me the problems this car did. Elegant and fun to drive, all that offset by its unreliability I had to tow it at least Two Dozen times. Its a shame.

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  Fun in the Sun with the C70 - 2001 Volvo C70
  By MES - May 4 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive; no major problems; did have problems with the two front side windows, Volvo provided a replacement kit but they are the one weak spot. The trunk is very small but will hold two sets of golf clubs in average bags (no Pro bags). It does accelerate very well. I replaced the factory tires with Bridgestones and the handling is much better.

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  Volvos Reliability Vampire - 1999 Volvo S80
  By teamsc10190 - May 4 - 10:00 am

  The Volvo S80 is a beautiful car with traditional Volvo virtues. Unfortunately it became apparent in short order that Volvo neglected to finish development before they released the car to market. The car is filled with substandard materials, and design, parts, and build defects. Clearly Volvo was more concerned with short-term profit than the welfare and retention of customers. While the car is a pleasure to drive when its working, its a short lived pleasure because the breakdowns are reliably frequent. Routinely shedding parts like a snake sheds skins, this car is a service nightmare.

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  Poor dealer service - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Rob Erb - May 2 - 11:36 pm

  The vehicle itself is fantastic, very quick and the 6 speed manual is the only way to go. It has a bit of a rough ride and a very low profile but is an exceptional piece of work. Beware of the wide turn radius on u-turns or in garages, it is more work than my last SUV. The bi-xenon headlights were adjusted wrong and it took me 3 days at the dealership to get it right, now I can actuially see at night.