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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  Love the ride, hardtop allows year round use! - 2013 Volvo C70
  By Volvo C70 Caspian Blue Fan! Go Cats! - August 14 - 3:39 am

  I would recommend the BLIS system if you are used to having it. I purchased mine as a certified one since it one only had 7500 miles for a 2013, 0.9% financing, favorite calcite interior with caspian blue exterior. The interior is very luxurious; however, electronics/stereo could be updated. Then again, it is a 2013 car! I dont need entertainment.. just some music, bluetooth and the car! Top down it is a beautiful car; Top up it is a nice coupe to be used almost year round! Hardtop design is pretty incredible.. and you still have some trunk space available with top down. I purchased seat protectors and windbreaker on ebay for additional use/convenience. Several reviews say power is insufficient, but i am quite happy with it. Has all the power I need in town and on the highway. Love it! Love it! Update after 7 months of ownership: Love the flexibility of a true car with convertible option depending on weather or travel plans. Car has been wonderful with no issues! Can load my golf clubs easily in the trunk! Seats are so sweet and comfy!

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  My Favorite Vehicle! - 2007 Volvo S60
  By Lee Clarke - August 13 - 5:00 pm

  Vehicles are my hobby and Ive owned over 60 new ones, from basics (AMC Gremlin) to exotics (Lotus Esprit, MB E55 AMG, Saleens). I traded my 2006 BMW M3 convertible, 6 speed manual, for a 2007 Volvo S60 R, automatic. The S60 R is my favorite vehicle ever!

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  $1000 repair every visit. - 2001 Volvo V70
  By JimR - August 13 - 4:00 pm

  Get the extended warranty! Well I just received the call from the dealership that my Volvo needs a new transmission ($4,500). Since the car is worth between $5-$6K that’s it. The car was a great car to drive. The car just was not reliable. After about 50-60K miles, every trip to the dealer was another $1K bill. I’m not talking consumables here but things that have never broken on any car I have ever owned. (a radio that would change stations every time the car hit a bump or the driver window that fell out of its track twice -after being fixed). There is nothing like driving a $40K car with duct tape holding your window up. My wife hates this car.

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  I like it - 2009 Volvo V50
  By eugene - August 12 - 11:36 am

  The car drives wonderfully. Its my first new car, and I am quite happy with my decision. So far, no problems; but then again, Ive only got 2000 miles on the car. Back seat is a little tight, if youve got tall folks in the front seat. Having cargo room is great, and the size of the vehicle is perfect for New York City. Sometimes I look out the window at my car parked outside, and watch pedestrians admiring the car as they walk past. The car is definitely a head-turner. The BMWs and Audis are way too common here.

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  From and enthusiast - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Fittsugen - August 12 - 2:00 am

  In order to get maximum performance, you have to drive this car like a Japanese sport bike. Do not up shift if it will put the engine revs below 3500 rpms. This engine is just too flat and unresponsive below 3500 rpms. A six cylinder engine of the same displacement would have been a far superior way to go. Another 75 horsepower would help too. This 5 cyl is funky. It revs smoothly, but has trouble with smoothness at the upper end of the power band. Launches can be problematic too. Keep the revs high and work the clutch. The biggest complaint I have though is that this car, even though it is awd, suffers from torque steer. Fittsugen.

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  Luxury, Safety for less - 2000 Volvo S40
  By mjm66 - August 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car the first month that it became available in the US. It has been a reliable, quality car during this time. The headlights did burn out rather soon (but only require a new bulb that dealership gives away). I got the winter/leather package and this has made all the difference. Heated seats and traction control make it a great winter car, turbo and nice wheels/tires make it a great driving car too. Priced against the Audi A4 and BMW 3 series, this was a much better deal.

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  OOPS - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By john perkowski - August 12 - 2:00 am

  Good long distance runner, very good front seats. optional 18 tires(MXV) POOR in snow and worn out in 18K mi. T6 engine needs a five spd., Four spd auto is a mis-match. Very conveient rear hatch design. Needs a larger fuel tank. Great brakes. Love the styling, outside shape. Overall for the money, keep looking.

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  Cross Country - 2005 Volvo XC70
  By Jon - August 11 - 1:40 pm

  Outstanding. Have been cross the country with it when we moved from Colorado to NY. Very secure in the snow and all other conditions. Lots of room for everything.

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  Dons Silver Chariot - 2002 Volvo S60
  By dlindover - August 11 - 10:00 am

  Well made vehicle - very comfortable for this compact size - fast when turbo takes hold - ride & handling are very good but not at BMW high standard - good valve & very good economy - approx 23.5 - 24.5 mpg

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  Thumper - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Nick - August 9 - 9:13 pm

  We have named this car "Thumper". It bumps, it grinds, and makes all kinds of noises in the front end. I have been to 3 different dealers who are unable to correct the noises, even with new brakes and shocks. While the dealers in Orange County and Covina are quite professional, the dealer in Carlsbad is useless. This car has a long way to go to call itself a premium product. There are inadequate service facilities, and I have absolutely no confidence that the vehicle will provide reliable service through the first 100,000 miles. As a suggestion, if anyone buys one, be sure to interview the local Volvo service department. Many are inadequate and they often do not have loaner cars as promised.