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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  Volve S60 2.5T - 2004 Volvo S60
  By JerryJ - December 12 - 10:00 am

  I just moved from a Saab convertible and into a four door sedan S60 2.5T. Being in real estate, the car is just the right size for me and so far Im enjoying this car more than I thought I would. I agree with one other post, there needs to be an inside trunk latch and the standard stereo could have a better quality sound to it. If Volvo is going to build in the middle speaker for the Bose system, then install it from the factory... I think most people would pay for it. My car is silver with sand leather... a beautiful combination and a real head- turner. The bi-xenon headlamps are very cool too!

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  rear ended - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By jjok - December 12 - 10:00 am

  I was waiting at a stop light last Mon when I was suddenly jerked back in my seat. I was rear ended by a full sized chevy pick-up that had been stopped behind me. That truck was rear ended by a dodge daytona that was going 35- 40 mph without braking. The daytona was scrunched up like an accordian, the chevy was damaged enough to be totalled, my xc-90 did what it was supposed to do, it took the impact and deflected the force downward. The whiplash system helped me a ton. My damage was bacically to the lower area and lower liftgate. $2000 damage and being put out, but I cannot overemphasize my impressment of the safety of this unit!!

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  European Disappointment - 2001 Volvo V70
  By sailon - December 12 - 6:06 am

  Expected Volvo lifetime, got Ford reliability. Well known transmission problem as listed on web, tailgate lift springs both shot, replaced top torque motormount after I could see daylight thru it, all rubber bushings in the suspension replaced after 85000 miles. Might be sophisticated European engineering, but LOUSY execution and parts quality. I will probably take the seats out and use them to watch TV in in my living room, and scrap the car. STAY away from this pile of junk.

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  Traded our 2002 s60 - 2006 Volvo S80
  By Nick - December 10 - 2:23 pm

  One of the best cars I have owned. Unmatched service and care by the dealer!

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  Almost did not happen - 2010 Volvo XC70
  By Ben Makowski - December 9 - 2:30 pm

  We were looking for a weekend hauler for our Golden Retrievers and were all set to pick up a new Outback. Over the weekend waiting for the Subaru to arrive for delivery I was on line and saw the XC70 and then saw the amazing deals on this amazing wagon. Monday morning first thing went to Capital Volvo and told them about the Subaru and then asked them to show me why I should change my mind and all I had to do was simply drive this car, no comparison at all the subaru, it excelled in every aspect. It is more "premium feeling and so far we have had only 2 weeks but are very happy of our purchase. Me and my "significant other" both drive new MBs but we argue who gets to drive the Volvo.

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  Beauty lasts so long - 2002 Volvo S60
  By omid - December 9 - 1:46 pm

  The car rides comfortably. The seat grabs your body and makes for great long trips. The exterior is well designed. The trunk is full of space and Ive moved several times with the car. Rear passengers are really comfortable. The two plugs are great. Other than that the car is a pain. Things that shouldnt ever go bad, go bad on the model. Ive changed the brake booster and front suspension and O2 sensor. It would have been nice if the O2 sensor had lasted a bit long. The repairs are really pricey too. The stock stereo is plagued, either the speakers blow easily or the stereo gets tired of your music. My heart wants a new Volvo but my mind knows a reliable cheaper to fix car might be better.

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  Noise Problem - 2006 Volvo S40
  By jn - December 9 - 7:13 am

  The car has 7,000 miles on it and has developed a noise in the drive train. Volvo has replaced the tranny, the clutch, the shocks, the motor mounts and the axles. They now say that the sound is normal!

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  Volvo Victim - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Mike - December 8 - 11:20 pm

  Like the safety, reliability and flexibility of the wagon. Have had no problems with the engine. Within the past year have had to replace oxygen sensor, ABS module, PCV valve, radiator, etc. Maintained normal maintenance schedule throughout ownership. Has 134,000 miles, but parts and service are very expensive to maintain the vehicle. Am in the process of selling due to that fact.

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  This is a great little car!! - 2010 Volvo C30
  By Jessica - December 8 - 10:26 pm

  I am really impressed with my C30. It has the 6-speed, climate package, and sunroof. It handles well in snow and rain so far. I am averaging 28 mpg between highway and small town driving. I took it on a 2000+ mile road trip, and even with all the time in the seat, both my husband and I were comfortable. It does great in mountains, in 6th gear you can still accelerate going up hill w/o having to downshift. Everyone that sees it loves it. I have a 2010 with the previous style headlights (leftover from last year). I like that style better though so I was glad when I found one! Mine has the off black interior and the metallic titanium paint, and it looks great in that color!

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  If you take care of it, it will take care of you - 1999 Volvo S70
  By fastredponycar - December 8 - 8:46 pm

  first of all, for everyone whining about the thing breaking, its a 15 year old car at this point. You HAVE to stay on top of the maintenance AND preventative maintenance. Failure to do so will mean small things can add up to big problems. That said, if you take care of the car, you will enjoy it. I had a 98 T5 and still have my 99 T5 and both have been trouble free and dirt cheap to own. At this point in their age, a check engine light is not a big deal. Everything that CAN go wrong with the car is documented on google so the mechanically inclined owner can fix most stuff at home and save a lot of money.