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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  No Way - 1999 Volvo V70
  By Tang306a - December 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new. Everything was ok for the first year. After that it went down hill fast. Transmission died at 16k miles, the car eats tires, replaced the alternator, replaced 4 engine mounts, replaced the throttle assembly, leaks anti-freeze all the time, Leather seats wore out, steering wheel covering came off and so on…. I am glad to have gotten rid of the car and would not buy Volvo again

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  Buyer Beware - 1999 Volvo S80
  By dummy - December 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought my S80 T6 on eBay (I know-what was I thinking). In the 8 mos. Ive had the vehicle, Ive dumped over $3000 in repairs. Seems like every time I take it to the shop (which is often) it costs $600. Its really too bad, because this is a great driving car with exceptional comfort and interior features. I wont buy another Volvo because of this, and its dissapointing.

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  The Best Family Wagon You Can Buy - 2004 Volvo V70
  By John Davis - December 19 - 2:00 am

  I leased a 1998 V70 when it first entered the market. Since then, Ive leased another 2000 V70, and just this past October, I leased a redesigned 2004 V70. My current V70 is by far the best V70 yet. Not only is it more luxurious, but it is larger, more useful, and feels safer to drive. I feel more comfortable in this car than ever before. And it is worry free; everything is easy to use and maintin.

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  Could this car be more fun? - 2004 Volvo V70
  By EvenFaster - December 19 - 2:00 am

  Finally, we found the car that both the wife and I love! She loves the clean lines and stylish interior (especially the dash), the comfort, and the 225-Watt sound system. In addition to these, I love--of course--the performance. I commute 80-miles each day, many of these over windy mountain roads, and the ride is a blast. Knowing that Im driving a car that is both among the safest in the world, and the fastest in its price range, is a great feeling. For those of you who appreciate understatement, youd love this car. A wagon that can take a 540i- unheard of (except that mine did)! Enjoy.

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  My 1st Volvo - 2003 Volvo S60
  By RRomanel - December 19 - 2:00 am

  Several of my friends have owned Volvos for years. I never liked the older "box" type models. The S60 is a real good looking cars. Great features and the it has the best seats youll ever sit in. Dont let the 168 hp worry you -- the engine has plenty of power and torque. Very nice ride.

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  Perfect Fun/Commuting Car - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Rickster - December 19 - 12:20 am

  The family car is a station wagon but I get to play every day by commuting in the T5. Exciting handling and acceleration, beautiful and unique interior, and a mind-blowing sound system (I have the upgrade Dolby Prologic II Audio package). Back seat works fine for taking the kids here and there, but wouldnt be a great family car generally (thats what wagons and minivans are for). But who cares since I am alone or with 1 passenger 95% of the time, and its mine, mine, mine. ;-) And oh yeah, its a Volvo so it couldnt be any safer.

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  Our Second Volvo - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Tankjr1996 - December 18 - 8:33 pm

  We also own a 90 240DL (175K mi). I bought this car with 45K mi for $14,900 as a lease return from NC. The ride is tight but not rough. It handles great and feels VERY solid. No problems yet except for a loose radio knob. Even with 80K on it, it still wholesales for $10K. All in all Im glad I bought it.

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  fantastic - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Chavez - December 18 - 11:06 am

  The car is fantastic. Has pretty much every option I wanted, but about $3,000- $7,000 less than similar category cars. Also, I have 50,000 more miles of Volvo certified warranty...

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  I Love My Volvo - 1998 Volvo S70
  By TaMeek - December 16 - 11:33 pm

  This car has been really good!! I bought it used back in 2001, and it has sustained two serious motor vehicle accidents, someone hit me from the rear and drivers side. This car has been very dependable, the maintenance costs can hurt a little, but its worth it.. Im planning to buy a Lexus soon. My mechanic keeps asking me to sell my Volvo to him. Im going to keep it. Ive had wonderful experiences with this car. I hope Lexus can compare to my Volvo....

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  Best Luxury SUV For the Money - 2013 Volvo XC60
  By rudycassap - December 16 - 11:24 pm

  I was hesitant to lease a Volvo XC60 AWD T6 since they are never mentioned in car magazines. All my friends leased Mercedes ML350s for their wives and some complained about the car driving like a Jeep Cherokee with a better interior (I guess it goes back to Daimler owning Chrysler). When I drove the car and got some feedback from the Culver City Volvo, my concerns were gone. The turbos are water-cooled and are just for the lower rpm, not like the high pressure turbos in Audi and VW that make the engine last less than 50k miles and no need to oil cool them by idling the car for 60 seconds before turning it off. The automatic braking feature for emergency is incredible for L.A. traffic. The