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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  Volvo struts - 2002 Volvo S80
  By Alan - October 7 - 2:00 am

  I have had the car for about 1 1/2 years, bought summer of 09 with approx 90k on the miles. The struts need to be replaced and the tie rods as well. For a 75th Anniversary edition it has to have the worst radio I have ever had in a vehicle, ever! Reception stinks and the speakers arent that good either. The key fob system for the doors is terrible as well with delays before the doors unlock and no horn beep when it locks. I have one other problem with the power outlets. Whenever something is plugged into them, such as my gps, it blows the fuse. Something must be wrong with the electrical system someplace but Im sure it would cost a small fortune to find the problem.

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  Why so inconsistant?????? - 1998 Volvo V70
  By golfnuttb - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Im just about to sell my V70 GLT. I have loved this car. But as the car approaches 100K I look else where. I use a car hard. I put on about 35- 40K/year and Im leary of driving it past 100K because of the inconsistancy in the reviews that I read. I would love to think I could drive it to 200K.

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  Initial impressions: Excellent! - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By Family of Four - September 26 - 10:50 pm

  Decided on Volvo for safety and built- in booster seat for toddler, luxury items, good 2 yr lease deal. Considered Mercedes M class for same money, but ride and comfort were the worst of any SUV Ive driven. Very surprised. I even test drove the M-B three times, but to no avail. Acura MDX was more luxurious and had better bells/whistles, reliability, but lease deals were poor. Only stripped down MDX was offered as a deal, but adding options was costly! BMW X5 - too small and clunky doors- wife hated it! Mans car. Lexus RX was wonderful, but too small for our needs. Volvo has best safety record, but scary reliability. I got a 2 year lease since didnt want to live with a mistake for 3 years.

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  happy with my v40 - 2001 Volvo V40
  By budsun - September 23 - 10:00 am

  Bought the v40 w/30K last year and I have been happy w/it since. Ive had only 1 major problem since I owned it but it was covered by the warrenty (steering). The prev. owner had replaced the rear rotors (again..warrenty item)IMO, The v40 has good initial acceleration due the minimal turbo lag and the ride quality is great. I wish the car came w/a strut tower and 15/16in rims because taking on windy roads can get a bit scary. Rear seat room is tight(made for kids), internal components break easily(cup holder, etc), and styling is a bit plain(I added roof rails, rear spoiler,& mud flaps). overall, I love the car

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  A Luxury Overbuilt Mazda 3 - 2005 Volvo V50
  By JSapp - September 23 - 10:00 am

  It has the most solid feel of all the wagons in its price range with amzingly rigid chassis. Very good sound insulation and a fairly relaxed highway cruiser. 2.4 CYl 5 has adequate power and has a feel of a small straight 6 with a pleasant growl. 5sp is light but a bit vauge. Optional Sport package is an improvement over the soft but competent base suspension but still not overly sporty with definte understeer detracting from high levels of grip. Seats are typically comfortable Volvo. Materials are of high quality. Seating has adequate room and caro room is good for a small wagon. Saftey features best in class.

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  Volvo V50 AWD 2008 - 2008 Volvo V50
  By James - September 20 - 6:13 pm

  I wanted a hatchback with AWD but the choices were limited. This was a good alternative and I am not disappointed. This car is well built, fun to drive, and not an SUV. The handling is better than expected. The only thing lacking is better MPG.

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  Love the car...some concerns - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Rambis - September 20 - 2:00 am

  Bought still under warranty. Replaced MANY sensors. MANY new software downloads seemed to fix most of the electronic problems. MAJOR oil leak under the engine. Replaced drivers side window. Motor broke and window cracked inside the door. Replaced throttle assembly. When all is well this car is AWESOME! FAST! Great accelleration! Im 66" and this car has tons of room. More room than an LHS! Very comfortable car. Love the style in and out. Very solid car. Feel extremely safe. Terrible sounds syst. Might trade. Not confident with THIS car. Looking at a 1996 Lexus LS 400. Ill buy again but when 01 or 02 come down in price.

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  Turning ratio difficult in urban areas - 2004 Volvo S60
  By msl - September 18 - 10:00 am

  Should have taken some close U-turns on the test drive. With 18" wheels, it is almost impossible to perform a U-turn in city with 4 lane traffic. So concerned that I looked at moving back from AWD to a T-5 and with only 2,000 miles, the "book value" had decreased $14K from what I paid 3 months earlier. Fun to drive on highway, not in city.

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  Just Kill Me Now! - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Toni Musulin - September 18 - 10:00 am

  I have NEVER been so in love with a car in my life, until the warranty ended! I have owned this car for 2 yrs 4 mos and have had about $5k+ in warranty work done. I have had this car towed 3 times in 2 months, twice the dealership couldnt find the problem. The third time, just 2 weeks after the warranty expired EVERYTHING started going at once. Total brake failure, transmission speed sensor, ABS, power steering, YOU NAME IT! I tried to talk with the warranty company to see if they could help since my mileage is so low, only 64K, they were very rude, wouldnt even allow me to speak with a supervisor, and offered NO HELP! Volvo No America did offer some help, but not enough in my opinion

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  Superior - 2003 Volvo V40
  By Paul van der Thujs - September 15 - 2:00 am

  While VOLVOs are not known as fun or quick cars, this is a real surprise.