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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  Beautiful Car Inside and Out - 2009 Volvo C70
  By Magic BlueOne - March 22 - 11:00 am

  First off, I enjoy just looking at my C70, it is a beautiful car. Its handling, breaking and acceleration are all capable, so for my intended purpose of top down cruising it is a pleasure. For the reality as a daily driven commuter work horse the Northeast its proved both comfortable and reliable, and the hard top is a necessity. Its a sedan when I need it, a convertible when I want it. Nice job Volvo.

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  Good Car - 2007 Volvo V50
  By mattypv50 - March 21 - 4:08 am

  Mine has 156,000KM on it. Bought it as a demo with 22,000KM (Canada). Its been good. Here is a list of things that needed repair: 1. Ambient temperature gauge wouldnt work causing the A/C to malfunction. This required 3 trips to the dear to fix it 2. A/C Air Compressor died around 130,000km 3. Both wheel bearings needed to be replaced 4. Both front shocks needed to be replaced 5. One day while driving the car just full on shut down. Had it towed and it was a fuel line sensor I think thats about it. So only left me stranded once. Overall, a pretty good car.

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  Dare to Be different - 2011 Volvo C30
  By kandrew68 - March 15 - 3:56 am

  2011 C30 R-design auto. Drives sporty, has adequate power, very unique shape, interior is one of a kind, decent stereo, bluetooth works flawlessly, USB port picks up all music on USB drive. This car is a real roomy for its size. With rear seats folded it has plenty of cargo room – more than a MINI or CRZ. Road noise is above average but somewhat expected with 18 in wheels/tire combo and a smaller car.

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  First Volvo - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Jeff H. - March 12 - 7:06 am

  My father bought a Turbo Diesel Volvo a few years back and it turned out to be a lemon. After all the hassles of dealing with the State, Volvo and the dealership, he finally got his money back. So why did a buy a Volvo? I wanted to go to Sweden. I wanted to get the R station wagon, but she wanted the XC90. She won. I took overseas delivery of the car. Volvo arranges everything. Great trip. Once the car arrived stateside, I drove it back home using highway 199 that connects Grants Pass Oregon to Crescent City California. The car stuck to the road like glue. Very little sway and very responsive. Great breaking going into corners and plenty of power exiting them. The future?

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  A European Buick! - 1996 Volvo 850
  By djfkeefe - March 5 - 3:00 pm

  Major advantage: comfort, most comfortable car Ive ever owned. Gasoline mileage respectable - 25 mpg. Major drawback: maintenance costs - cost $4800 in the 4 yrs I owned it, and was facing as much for this year. Started to use oil, 1 qt per 3M miles. Wind-dam too low, knocked it off several times on low concrete barriers (difficult repair). Nonsensible design: headlight wipers, but no rear window wiper? Why?

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  safe - 2005 Volvo S40
  By ANGELO - February 26 - 10:56 pm

  hard down-shift from 3rd to 2nd automatic. expensive maintenance

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  Great llittle SUV....I stress little - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By bhelgesen - February 25 - 1:48 am

  Overall, this car is a pleasure to drive. With the T6 and AWD it can be a blast. This is my wifes car and she drives it like a soccer mom but when I run out in it, it becomes an animal and is worthy of any road or traffic condition. We came out of two minivans so maybe my expectations were low. For what its worth, we put our 18 yr old in a 10 year old s40 for safety.

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  disapointed - 2002 Volvo S40
  By Issa - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Having no previous experience in leasing I have been talked into a lease at $ 369/month for four years and 2000 down. Comparing it to $299/month that someone else on this list is getting it seems very high. Have I been taken? Also the ride is very tough : feels like grinding the texture of the road. On highway I feel like jumping up and down as if in a toy car. Nothing like the smooth ride on my old Honda Accord.

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  Troublesome S90 - 1999 Volvo S80
  By PDA - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Serious problem with fuel door that no one can seem to repair. Even with winter package handles poorly in the snow. Power doors and windows were a problem from day one that no one can seem to resolve. My second Volvo and I can only get $1500 rebate if I get lease another one. BMW dealer her I come

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  first volvo minor problems - 2001 Volvo V70
  By hjk15087 - February 20 - 2:00 am

  First volvo ever owned, bought it for safety and comfort, performance pretty good, would like to see more storage space for front cabin. had some minor issues with the remote entry was fixed under warranty, great service dept at Turner Volvo. had to replace several light bulbs the past few months. have owned vehicle for three years, thinking up upgrading to XC90 for more space for the family. the tire noise has become very noisy at highway speeds.