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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  Some important issues to be aware of - 2005 Volvo S40
  By harry - October 10 - 2:11 am

  There is a known design defect where, if the sunroof drains that run down the doors of the car clog, water drains into the interior of the car from the lower part of the doors. Absolutely ridiculous. You need to regularly clear the drains with compressed air. My interior is ruined as a result of water damage. Also, 2005 models dont come with an auxiliary jack or bluetooth, and you cant put an aftermarket CD player in. Youre looking at around $1000 to replace the CD player at the dealership if something goes wrong. It also seems the only problems Ive had with the car required me to go to the dealership for repairs.

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  Not sure I would buy another one - 2004 Volvo S40
  By Paul - October 10 - 12:33 am

  I really enjoy the way this car handles and drives. However, I have had a lot of mechanical problems. As a result, it has been in the shop more than any car I have ever owned. The transmission sometimes kicks hard when it shifts and the dealer keeps telling me this is normal. This car gets pretty bad ratings from Consumer Reports, something I wish I would have checked before buying. My warranty will run out soon and I will definitely trade it when when it does. I doubt I will buy another Volvo because of the mechanical issues. My wifes Toyota is much more reliable and more than likely I will trade my car for a Toyota when the time comes.

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  You cant believe how great this car is! - 2008 Volvo C70
  By Michelle - October 9 - 8:10 am

  This was the first vehicle I test drove when I started car shopping - after no less than 10 vehicles later I returned to buy this awesome car! A practical indulgence - a hardtop sedan when the weather is bad and a convertible when the sun is out. Mine is all but totally loaded with the exception of a navigation system & ultra-prem leather which seems nearly impossible to find - I couldnt be more thrilled. With 2 hours in daily commute time, the ride is luxurious and fun to the point I dont want to leave the vehicle. All I can say is that if you see one on a Volvo lot snap it up ASAP - you wont regret it! Safety, style and fun all rolled up into one great vehicle.

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  A Super Solid Choice - 2016 Volvo XC70
  By Robin Kirk - October 6 - 10:26 am

  My Audi A8 just turned 4 years old and 60k miles and I was looking for a comfortable, practical SUV/Wagon replacement that didnt cost as much. I drove the Q5 and Allroad, the BMW X3 and X5, and the V60, XC60 and XC70. Although an older design, the XC70 was just more comfortable, more practical and less flashy. It is powerful, quiet, extremely comfortable and handles reasonably well. The technology package is state-of-the-art and the IPhone App is just great. With just under 1000 miles in the past month, I am quite delighted. I was worried that "trading down" from the A8 would be painful, but am really quite pleased. The fuel economy isnt too good, but with current gas prices, it doesnt hurt too much. I would strongly recommend this car.

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  Exceptional Automobile - 2001 Volvo V70
  By V70Driver - October 6 - 10:00 am

  My reliable 240 was ready to be replaced, and I knew I wanted to stick with the brand. The XC looked good, my wife and I had a child on the way, and we were never interested in the whole SUV thing. (Do I even need to mention the "M" word?) It wasnt until I spoke to a friend who had a photograph of the next generation Volvo wagons that I put my purchase on hold. Talk about a dream come true. The T5 has it all - amazing looks, horsepower to spare, incredible handling and control, and it is perhaps the most comfortable car Ive ever had the pleasure of driving. Given the choice of a huge engine or XC, I went with the engine - and am very happy I did.

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  First and Last Volvo - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By New Birdman - October 6 - 10:00 am

  Purchased this XC70 at the beginning of the year and have had numerous drive train problems that require ordering parts and waiting. Cruise control went out on the way to have it serviced! Now the front passenger door wont open from the inside. Lots of road noise and clunking sounds. This car is not worth the money--cant wait to get rid of it.

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  Drives like a sports car - 1999 Volvo V70
  By Julie - October 5 - 11:40 am

  Fantastic handling. Love how it hugs the road and turns on a dime. Can park it anywhere. Chassis sits 3 inches higher than most cars, and seats can be raised, so I almost have the height of an SUV, with none of their disadvantages.

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  Great Car !! - 2006 Volvo S60
  By Fekix - October 5 - 7:03 am

  The car is great. Where I live you dont see many Volvos so we get lots of heads turning. The car rides smooth as has plenty of power, the seats or the most comfortable I have sat in.

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  Too many problems dont buy - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By bob458 - October 4 - 11:10 am

  Bought a used xc90 from volvo. We have averaged a new problem every 2000 miles. Including a breakdown leaving my pregnant wife stranded and now flickering headlights that cant be fixed despite visits to the dealership and throwing money at it. (computers and modules are next on the list) It would be nice if the dealership looked like they knew how to fix what is apparantly a common problem on their vehicles... So its going to be traded in with a 6 mth loss of 5-6k. Looks pretty but its not engineered well nor built well - certainly not the volvos of old.

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  Sporty Car - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Hieu - October 3 - 12:20 am

  I bought this car because I wanted something different but sporty. Other cars I looked at was the Acura TSX and the Acura TL. In terms of power, this car seems to fit nicely between those two. It has a low pressure turbo at about 8.7 psi max. Power comes on quick when you need it. You dont not have to rev it to get usable power. Has potential for really good power with a ECU mod. I didnt notice this eariler but there are seals all round the doors, even in the area around where the hinge opens.