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 it when it works! - 2000 Volvo V70
  By jeffnallyg - April 13 - 6:06 pm

  I bought this car two years ago, and have spent in excess of $3000 on repairs!! I love the car, the way it looks, and the safety features. However, I never know what is going to fail next. We purchased a Volvo because of their excellent reputation, or so we thought. The transmission, ABS module, just to name a few major failures. If your ABS module fails search Victor Rocha volvo on google. Highly recommended, and saved us over $1000!

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  Bad transmission after 2000 miles - 2007 Volvo S60
  By WPBFLA9 - April 13 - 9:03 am

  My transmission conked out after 2,000 miles. I have not yet received any explanation or a repair. I am disgusted with the car and with Volvo. Also, the handling on my old VW Passat is Much better.

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  Safety above Speed Reasonable MPG - 2010 Volvo S80
  By Johnston - April 13 - 1:06 am

  Considered the usual European competition before jumping into this one W/BlueTooth, BLIS and Xenons . After checking some Volvo Forums & Tire Rack.com I decided to ditch the OEM tires and go with Bridgestone Pole Position tires after 3k Miles. It made a world of difference in the ride and even though I have 17" wheels most people who have the 18" wheels complain their rides "harder" then mine !!! Love the ride now! Couldnt pry me out of it if you wanted me too. This is my second leased car, might have to keep it when the lease is up.

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  Never Again - 2001 Volvo S40
  By RPF - April 12 - 4:23 am

  Ill be honest, it IS fun to drive when everything is working properly, however thats rare... Check engine light seems to be a continuously-on feature, parts are expensive and its never an easily diagnosable fix. Sensors are waaaay to temperamental. The car was bucking like crazy when I put anything other than the over-priced Volvo plugs in it. Climate controls work when they feel like it.

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  near-volvo - 2005 Volvo V50
  By Tom Rasmussen - April 12 - 1:36 am

  Great car, and was a toss-up between this and XC70. (Other car in garage is XC90.) I like the size, drivability, powertrain, futuristic design. Haldex AWD is second to none. Although drive-feel and braking are excellent, they are not characteristically "Volvo-like". A/T does not shift as smooth as other Volvos with Aisin Warner unit, seats do no feel as good as 60, 70, 80 or 90 series. Wish SAT radio was available. Unique key system is over-engineered, and wish european keyless sys was available. Overall, I love this car, very unique, gets many looks and compliments. Next time when lease is up, Im hoping for and "R" version, either V50 or V70.

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  S-60 R - 6 Speed - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Medicap99 - April 11 - 2:00 am

  Ive had American performance cars for many years. The Volvo S60 R is my first experience with European performance. The car handles superbly; Accelerates briskly and smoothly; Overall, performs flawlessly. It is an impressive ride.

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  From Texas - 2001 Volvo V40
  By used v40 - April 11 - 2:00 am

  USED 2001 V40 with 41580 miles to start. The looks are showroom quality. It has a loud deep bass hum the VOLVO tech said "thats how it sounds." I drove from TEXAS to NYC. 1800 miles in 2 days thats 30 hours not incld stops for food, the toilet and gas. No problem for me, but the car? The V40 great. Smooth ride on the freeway, sport like on the city interchanges and streets. Stopped 7 times, 55 gallons of gas and actually drove 1900.2 miles. I avg 70 mph and 34.6 mpg, not bad for any car. I am not the "a button for eveything" type. The interior is plain, many of the "buttons" are muti-functional. The trunk is spacious for a compact wagon.

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  Great cruiser, but starti/stopping? - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Coats - April 11 - 2:00 am

  Beautiful inside and out and great highway power but has PLENTY of quirks. Worst of which is the front wheel drive/traction control. When you try to accelerate on anything but perfect pavement and in a straight line, it kicks in VERY abruptly. Transmission gets confused, clunks on some downshifts. AC controls are more confusing than ever. How hard is it to design this? Ditto for the Windows. Bought "certified" from the dealer. Paid a premium for this but feel I need it with the complexities of the turbo/transmission. Hope it is as reliable as my old 740 Turbo which I had for 10 years trouble free.

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  Loved it... with one kid - 2001 Volvo S60
  By mikesvolvo - April 11 - 2:00 am

  We loved the car with one kid. This back seat was not made for multiple kids. Our rear facing car seat worked in the middle. Loved the performance and comfort. Best drive from PHX to Oregon I have ever driven.

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  Midlife Crisis - 2004 Volvo C70
  By Philliptsr - April 11 - 2:00 am

  After buying I remember why I want a convertable again. The comfort and handling is just what was needed to allow me to again enjoy the open air and the looks that go with driving topless. The road performance and gas mileage for the car is a pleasant suprise. I live outside of town and commute 29 miles each way through traffic and still average 27.2 MPG.