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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  Very pleased - 2002 Volvo S80
  By Pete - April 9 - 10:00 am

  excellent vehicle - comfortable interior and fantastic off the line

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  Love my GLT SE - 2000 Volvo S70
  By Joe_Volvo - April 9 - 10:00 am

  I have not had any major problems with this car. Have only been to Volvo dealership twice, once for a headlight problem and the other was the power antenna started acting flaky. Private mech. does all the maint. No problems. I wish they still made the S70s the 60s are to small. Cant wait to see the XC90.

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  Hidden Gem - 2006 Volvo S60
  By john posey - April 9 - 9:30 am

  I test drove a BWW, Acura and the S60. For the price, it was not even close. The S60s comfort level, performance and safety features were either comparable or superior to the BMW and Acura. I have a 2 yr. old, so I weighed safety pretty heavily in my buying decision. The S60 has more than enough power + I did not feel the "turbo lag". I found the turbo to be smooth and responsive.

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  Worst Vehicle Every Purchased - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Brian - April 8 - 7:43 am

  Probably in the top 5 worst cars every made. 7yr old car, with 89k mi. Here is the short list: Warning lights constantly going off. Engine constatnly surges, even after multiple trips to dealer, multi software downloads and new throttle installed. Transmission is slipping. ABS system failed. Already replaced front bushings, struts, strut mounts and bearings. After 2nd set of new rotors, still vibrates like crazy when stopping. Cloth interior drooping, seats cracking. Sunroof brackets coming off. Headlight assembly is bad. AC fan vibrates and makes noise. Incredible depreciation rate! Owe $6500 on car and will have to put $3 to $5k to fix tranmission. Volvo wont help! Warranty ended in 06.

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  Fun but I wouldnt buy another one. - 2008 Volvo C70
  By Sue - April 3 - 4:23 pm

  I just discovered that this car has no spare tire. I was never informed it was an option. Who ever heard of such a thing? And Volvo is supposed to be so safety conscious. The interior storage space is terrible. Not even a road map fits in any of the side pockets. Is a cell phone supposed to fit in that little well on the seat divider? Whose?

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  Great car! - 2012 Volvo S60
  By turbot5 - April 2 - 2:10 pm

  I sold my 12 yr. old S70 and bought this one. All I can say is "This is not your grandads Volvo!" I really love driving this car. So, if youre romantically holding on to that old Volvo trying to squeeze every last bit of value from it, surrender now!! You will be glad you did. Although I liked and appreciated the old one, I definitely feel reborn in this car! BVE - Best Volvo Ever!

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  Strange Design Oversights - 1998 Volvo S70
  By Bill Sands - April 2 - 11:06 am

  Love this car. Looks like a family sedan to the outside world but step hard on the gas pedal and you are in for the ride of you life. Did not know Volvos were so fast. I am surprised to find that with all the quality built in the car is missing some basic items. There is no light in the trunk. Also there is only one speed on the interval wipers, very annoying. And the cup holders are an afterthought and very flimsy. Otherwise I am very pleased with this car and do not know of any other car I would consider buying. This is my first foreign car purchase and I am very pleased with the Volvo S-70 GLT.

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  Sensible Sports car - 2005 Volvo S40
  By mountain driver - April 2 - 3:40 am

  I love my car! It handles the mountain canyon roads with assurance and enough power to make it fun. As soon to be empty nesters, I was looking to downsize from my Suburban but still have a safe car and it had to be fun. We had Volvos a long time ago but they were nothing like this car. We also drove BMW Z- not for year round. Audi TT Coupe- no sunroof! Honda Accord 6cyl MT6 speed Coupe- also great car, fun but everyone has a Honda. We plan to do some autocross this spring.

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  Sports car in disguise! - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Paul - April 1 - 12:23 pm

  Handles very well and has pletty of power. Truly a fun car to drive! I am very impressed with the avg. of 21 MPG Ive gotten over the first 4,000 miles Ive owned it (bought it with 7,000 on it and have driven a combination of city and highway). Most importantly I feel very safe and protected in this vehicle.

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  Great car at 170k - 1998 Volvo S70
  By mulchie - March 31 - 2:14 pm

  Bought this car used, mint w/ 40k in 2005. Now, at 170k I am having my very first problems but they are minor. Replacement headlamp (deer) went rusty. Replacement radio antenna (car wash got the 1st) busted. All mechanics have been mint. Only time shes left me stranded was when a simple $40 item broke in the accelerator cable. Limped into a gas station and she was back on the road in an hour. Also the clutch got rough (5-speed manual). Replaced & now drives like a dream. Body remains mint despite New England winters. No rust anywhere. Drive is smooth. 30mph highway. 25 combined. Sticky buttons -yes- as others have said. I smeared brown paper napkins on them and that dried it out.