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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  On my second - 2002 Volvo C70
  By Randy Miller - May 14 - 10:00 am

  This is my second C70 Conv. in 3 years. I almost bought a 5-series BMW, however, I still wanted something a little different. They dont make many C70 convertibles; and I still love getting thumbs-up as I drive around or the validating compliments from would be buyers. The performance will not dazzle you, however, the car is just so damn fun to drive. The build quality is exceptional and comfort is beyond comparison when matched-up to its competition.

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  Reliable Workhorse - 1996 Volvo 850
  By DETIGEL - May 9 - 10:00 am

  Great car and relatively inexpensive (for us) in upkeep, except for scheduled maintenance -all at dealer- we have had no problems. We do use summer and winter tires, car does not handle that great in the winter (however probably not worse than other front wheel drives.

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  Blast to drive...but... - 2013 Volvo S60
  By mark361 - May 6 - 3:05 pm

  A thrill to drive. Salesman said it can out-perform a police cruiser and I believe it.

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  quality of plastic parts is very poor - 2000 Volvo S80
  By rosarockville - May 5 - 3:40 pm

  Agreed with other review that after 5 yrs the parts started falling apart. The repair labor charge is awfully high. Even one $50 plastic parts would need 6 to 8 hours labor to replace it. The dealer claimed that those parts are very difficult to reach. I like my volvo car but the repairing charges definitively will make me re-consider for having Volvo for my next car. Now, every time, I can not have my car back from the shop without paying $1300 - $2300. They just told me the oil trap needs to be replaced which got replaced 2 yrs ago, and it costs a little more than $1000.

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  Love/Hate relationship - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Cheapflyfishing sob - April 26 - 2:00 am

  This car drives me crazy. On one hand, it is a very nice car and holding up very well. On the other hand, as a former Honda owner, it is frustrating. Lots of problems with dashboard - major squeek in radio area and the glovebox had to be replaced because they couldnt stop the door from squeaking. Many similar problems as other people such as A/C, calipers, O2 sensor. The dashboard remains creaky-cheap plastic. But the amazing thing is that the creaks have not changed since the first year I had the car.

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  enjoy the car, but.... - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By rubin - April 16 - 10:00 am

  given price of car, it has had a few minor problems with some of the more technical features (such as the devices which stop the windows from closing on a finger). air conditioning compressor needed replacement. so somewhat desastified with intitial quality...car seems pretty tempermental. dealer has been good and attentive remedying situations. service manager gave me his car to take on vacation when repair to a/c was delayed. hoping vovlo rep for longevity ends up coming to fruition

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  Emissions Frustration-S80 T-6 - 2000 Volvo S80
  By WoodyTBuckeye - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Bought vehicle with 27k-extended warranty. Approx 53k miles, started having emissions messages ie "system urgent" and hazard light and the engine went into a "idle" mode. Replaced throttle control mechanism, software upgrade,and other related emission parts. After spending close to $900 on the throttle, 3 days later, replaced 1 of the 2 back O2 sensors.($363) One week later, the other back O2 went- $256. I understand under the new warranty, this is a covered item. I am probably getting rid of the car though I love driving it. Total spent=$2k. I will probably buy a new one but will read the fine print on the warranty. PW

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  Volvo XC90 - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By chogan01 - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Nice car thus far reliable. Gas mileage on the lower end of its suugested performance

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  The Perfect Vehicle? - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By BL - April 8 - 11:53 pm

  Coming off 8 years of XC90s. But wanted a more enjoyable driving experience for commute. Could be the most beautiful interior of any car/any make. It is gorgeous inside. Same engine as my last 08 XC90 but peppier, sportier. Really fun to drive. Test drove the redesigned V6 Subaru Outback (GREAT drive)that surprised me; MB GLK (pointless joke of a back seat); VW Tiguan (just for fun); and considered Audi Q5 but not seriously(too expensive/smaller.) Driving the XC60 is a blast. Feel is refined, tight with a first-rate finish. Two tone leather seats and blond wood are stunning. Hard to leave the Volvo brand. And I think 6 yrs from now Id rather be in this than anything else. Just perfect.

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  Good overall, many small repairs - 1999 Volvo V70
  By SBdriver - April 4 - 1:06 pm

  Got mine from my father w/ around 145k miles. Originally a rental. Drove good, handled good, could take it camping, did fine in semi-off road conditions, very comfortable seats, good MPG, somewhat cheap to fill up, roomy. Inside covering for the back hatch came off/apart frequently - had sketchy mounts. Terrible cup holders, couldnt use center compartment when in use. Lots of minor/major? repairs including belts, strut cushions, something to do w/ the heater/ac, speakers on one side stopped working, hose burst once, steering out of alignment - car "rumbled" at 75+ MPH. Over all enjoyed the car. Crashed at almost 160k miles, still going strong. Appreciate it much more now that its gone.