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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  Outstanding - 2015 Volvo XC60
  By Fred - May 6 - 10:26 am

  Best car I have ever owned and at 72 I have owned a lot.

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  Too bad - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Allison - May 6 - 10:00 am

  We bought this car because my husband has always had Volvos. Well hed never had one like this! Weve had major repairs that have cost big money. From the turbo clip, to the gas cover, to a transmission update ($1400!) which didnt fix the problem. We were just told the transmission is about to go so we have to get out from under this money pit. In a little over a year we have spent close to $3000. It looks like 60,000 is the magic mileage for this Volvo. Once you hit that, be prepared to have it in the shop every three months.

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  Volvo 850R Wagon - 1996 Volvo 850
  By fezzik - May 4 - 2:00 am

  We bought our R Wagon used with 49K miles. After looking for Volvo turbo and non wagons, the R was a find. I figured if we were going to drive a wagon, it would be a bad ass one. Only complaint are amount of rattles which cannot completely be blamed on wheel and tire package as other Volvos in our family were known to rattle. Its blast to drive around and a great highway cruiser. Passes at the blip of the throttle, brakes are strong and handles like its smaller and lighter than it is.

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  love my S40 - 2003 Volvo S40
  By lmh - May 2 - 10:00 am

  I have thoroughly enjoyed my S40. I was hesitant to purchase after reading several reviews of earlier versions of this car. In my opinion, the 2003 S40 is one of the best values on the road. I had previously decided to replace my old Accord with a newer version but was turned off by the pricing on the EX model when I went in to purchase. I found the S40 to be far more luxurious and fun to drive than the Accord for about the same price (actually less for a certified used vehicle). The car is zippy and extremely comfortable, and I love the fact that it is far less common on the roadways than the old standbys Accord and Camry. I would definitely recommend this vehicle to anyone!

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  Nice car - Wish I got the Turbo - 1998 Volvo S70
  By The Rocket - May 2 - 10:00 am

  One word..Slow. My daughters Beetle Turbo and wifes Honda Pilot will eat this car for lunch on performance. The headlight problem was fixed on recall years ago. Front door panels replaced at no charge, should have had the backs done too. Other than that this car has been flawless. Ren 35lbs. in the tires and your treadlife will double.

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  Volvo S40 impressions - 2005 Volvo S40
  By CSV - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Ive only driven 1500 miles in the weeks Ive owned it, but it is quick, good handling, comfortable, and quiet.

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  Like it better than Audi - 2013 Volvo S60
  By mklay - April 30 - 5:02 pm

  Since 1996 I’ve owned various new A4’s, an A6 and A3 (I’ve always preferred Audi’s over BMW’s and Mercedes and never considered VOLVO). In short, after test driving a 2013 S60 T5, “it was a no brainer” I went ahead and leased it on the spot (it was that easy).

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  S40 Makes a middle-aged dad happy! - 2003 Volvo S40
  By jefwfunk - April 30 - 2:00 am

  The turbo as standard equipment on this car really makes it an attractive sporty option for someone who doesnt want a Taurus or Camry. With two young kids I need a 4 door and the airbag cagte really encourages me that safety will be paramount. Combine that with the zippy way she handles and the smoothness of the ride at speed and I couldnt have done better for $10k more. Best of all, both girls are always asking me to "Open the roof, Daddy!"

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  My first Volvo - 2001 Volvo S60
  By emac2002 - April 30 - 2:00 am

  My first Volvo and not my last! Some minor problems in first 18 months of ownership--rubbing tires, squeaky windshield wipers, rear taillight bulbs that keep burning out. However, an overall excellent car even though maintenance is a bit expensive.

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  v70 - 1999 Volvo V70
  By pjr - April 29 - 4:33 pm

  The Volvo v70 was the most unreliable, and therefore most expensive car to maintain over the last 30 years of my car ownership. Repairs, (mainly major) were needed on an average of every 4-6 months of ownership. Average annual expenditures for repairs exceeds $4,000 per year. In addition to regular maintainence, these include replaced transmission, headlamps, ball joints, axel boots within a 12 month period, with less than 100k miles. This car was advertised as an auto that would easily perform well for over 300k miles. Volvo likes to charge extra for options that are now standard on others cars, ie: auto door opener, car racks, side rubber bumber mouldings. A big "No recommend" !