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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  Once Upon A Time - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Once Upon a Time - June 4 - 10:00 am

  Purchased a 240DL had the car for 17 years, 350,000 miles...purchased the S80 Turbo used and it has been a nightmare, went to the dealer to obtain the cars history and it printed off onto the floor..everything from replaced transmission, Huge electrical problems which constitutes most of the cars ability to function. My 240s outside to the day is still quality while this cars fenders are loose, rubber stripping outside is falling off...Once Upon a Time Volvo was doing it right, for themselves as well as the customers. The biggest problem has been that the company doesnt rep the product. Scary situation unless you have more than sense...

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  Bad Ergonomics - 1999 Volvo S80
  By GaryOwen - May 21 - 10:00 am

  The S80 dashboard layout & ergonomics are a nightmare! so many little identical or nearly identical knobs for different features. Inst panel lights fade in bright light. "DRLs" are really headlights on at full strength - too bright & burns out bulbs real fast. The turbo sucks - too much lag. Give me an honest V8 (or even a full powered six). The power steering is overly sensitive. The traction control is a joke & gets you stuck in the snow even with premium snow tires. The only plus is a crashworthy design. I doubt I will ever buy another Volvo. What a screw deal!!

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  Dont Buy this Vehicle... - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By ranchoslacker - May 15 - 10:26 pm

  if you care anything about value for your money. Every time I turn around I am spending money to drive this pig. New brakes, new tires, horrible gas mileage, fragile engine parts, cheesy leather on the seats -- Im sure there are more breakdowns and bad news to come when the warranty expires (which is substandard). Plus, all the airbags mean huge blind spots -- very dangerous to drive without some sort of rear camera navigation system. Finally, the sheer arrogance of the sales and service people (my own servie rep, who is a saint, excluded) is amazing and enough to say "no thanks." After owning Swedish cars for more than a decade, I will NEVER EVER EVER consider anything from Volvo again

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  get an accord - 2002 Volvo S40
  By Joejoe - May 3 - 10:00 am

  Although this car comes with the emblem of volvo there is not much else to love about it. From a cup holder that does not allow you to pull out your CDs,windows that whistle when you raise them to a check engine light that comes on if you don tighten the gas cap three turns past the end. I had to replace the steering column and breaks after 10,000 miles. I wish I had leased a Honda Accord.

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  Never buy the S40 - 2005 Volvo S40
  By SLara - April 24 - 3:13 pm

  I have had problems with this car from day 1. Brakes screeching (very loud) when in reverse. Neighbors commented since it was a new car. Dealership would not believe me as they could not duplicate. Many trips to a local dealership where brakes and rotors were replaced (total of three times.) The car had to be slightly inclined to produce screeching. Front screeching started at about 6,000 miles. Had to have the car towed twice. Didnt want to drive it with the horrible noise. Dealership said it was not dangerous to drive. They tried filing rotors, etc. The car has spent at least about two months in the shop (on and off). Finally, recently got the car back with new brake pads. SELL

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  bad engineering - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Jin - April 14 - 5:20 am

  The xc90 is not comfortable for a family. The kids complain nonstop on rides longer than 30 min. No place to put anything in the cramped cockpit. I found out my AWD was not working when I needed it the most, so my sons had to help push me out of a ditch. I have had to get new tires with only 10,000 mi! I have had problems with radio, shocks, ball bearings and transmission linkage. There have been lots of small things that are annoying like little parts falling off here and there.

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  Not impressed - - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Chris Martins - April 5 - 1:23 am

  i bought this used with about 33,000 miles on it. It was in the shop about a week after i bought it with many minor problems. Ive gone thru tires, ball joints, tie rods, seat heaters, and it goes one. The dash is the exact same dash that is in my wifes Ford Windstar mini van. I the transmission went and i had to wait 4 weeks for a new or rebuilt transmission. The local dealer would not give out a loaner car and is not the best to deal with. I have this car up forsale and i will NEVER by a Volvo again - the loaner i did get for other service repairs were not impressive. I think Volvo will be like Saab before long since Ford is not getting any buyers for Volvo. Wish i bought saab9-7

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  Last Volvo Ill Buy - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Tony - March 13 - 3:53 pm

  At first we loved the car. Over time it became apparent that the quality of the vehicle was lacking ranging from cosmetic to mechanical. The body dents easily from anything, small minor accessories stop working or just break, and we always seem to spend thousands a year on maintenance. We also own a 96 850 Turbo and do not experience any of the consistent problems with it. The information center stopped scrolling one item at a time. The dealership said it was not their problem to fix since no recall...1yr after purchase. I wont buy from the dealer even if we decided on another Volvo.

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  V40 is a disappointment - 2000 Volvo V40
  By NHDriver - February 4 - 7:53 am

  Used for highway driving primarily, this vehicle has not performed well, interior is not forgiving, & bulbs go out frequently. VERY expensive to maintain - and other owners of this model seem to agree.

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  The worst - 2002 Volvo S80
  By tkatch - February 1 - 10:00 am

  in the shop more than its been on the road.