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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  Soccer mom car does me proud - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By tenmiler - June 12 - 8:40 pm

  Im sorry to be leaving the lease on this car. Its been fantastic, with nothing going wrong other than a turbo boost that was fixed under warranty, and I had never noticed it. This car is GREAT in the mountains, with the turbo at high altitude being a gem. The AWD could use the stability control, but I felt safe in this car. Its no sports car, but its comfortable, quiet, and reliable. And Im not a soccer mom!

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  SLPAKPs Review - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By slpakp - June 12 - 2:00 am

  I really love my new XC90...it is great fun to drive after moving from a Chrylser Town and County. Less room, but great handling. One complaint is the way the key/remote control lock is designed. The key attaches to ones keyring via a small metal connector that is not permanently attached to the remote control device. Twice, I have almost lost my key when my key ring and the metal connector have separated. Volvo should design a higher quality connector, one that is integral to the remote control device itself, not something that connects to it and then to your key ring.

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  Not overly impressed - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Wedge - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Bought my first Volvo instead of Lexus. Not overly impressed. I have had it in shop 5 times: Loud knocking from front wheel hubs. Foudn out after second complaint that hubs were not knocking when torque added or removed via gas pedal. Front windows a nightmare. Creaking and noisy over bumps. Customer service at dealer not good. They will call you incessantly for feedback then do NOTHING with it! Anyone else find the drivers seat not very comfortable?

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  Concerns - 2004 Volvo C70
  By John Hancock - June 12 - 2:00 am

  The car seems to have heavy shakes at 50MPH, especially in the morning when its cold. As it warms up shakes lighten up a little bit. Backing up with top up has a visual problem as there are no "portholes" in the canvas top and therefore visibility is blocked when backing up and trying to see, mostly to the right side approaching cars as well as blind spot just to see what is behind you. Electronic access to rear seat is slow and a pain, would be better to have manual seat backs that go forward.

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  GREAT everyday driver - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Tara - June 11 - 6:53 am

  I have had this car for a little over one year now, and it is fantastic. I drive it everyday, in every weather condition. Handles great, love the actice chassis controls. Gas mileage is wonderful, as long as youre not constantly in boost. Looks great with the factory body kit..nice and sporty. Highly recommend this car!

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  Fantastic Car - 2003 Volvo V70
  By James Epstein - June 9 - 2:00 am

  With 110,000 miles on the odometer, the car feels solid and remains extremely reliable. It has handled many Maine winters well. Seats are very comfortable, and the standard sound system is superb. Paint still shines! Love this carn and highly recommend.

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  Beware of transmission issues - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By jero72 - June 9 - 2:00 am

  As represented by MANY blogs, transmission failure is very wide- spread issue. More surprising is the repeat replacement issue. Vovlo doesnt seem to be concerned as there is no public discussin regarding design or manufacturing changes, even for the new models. I fully believe the only reason Volvo has not recalled the vehicle for faulty trany (replacement) is because they havent been able to link fatalities to the issue. Based on what I am reading and what I am hearing, its only a matter of time. I am very surprised the Luxury Car manufacturer has not taken a more proactive position on this and dealers are very difficult to work with.

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  Love/Hate relationship - 2000 Volvo S40
  By Berlyn - June 6 - 10:16 pm

  In 5 years of owning this care my ex and I have put over 2 grand into repairs, now I have another 3 grand to go. Engine mounts, strut cushions, bushings, sunroof, sway bar, breather box, and catalytic converter all need to be replaced. My front passenger door no longer opens from the outside, and like mentioned before the back door locks stick. The cup holder position makes no sense to me and one of the weather strips on the top of the car flew off while on the freeway and is 150 to replace. I love Volvo but theres something wrong with this car!

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  Ultimate convertible - 2008 Volvo C70
  By Mike - June 5 - 7:33 pm

  Looked at convertibles for 2 years before settling on the C-70. Decided on C-70 because of feel of quality and safety rating. Very well designed car. Smooth, quiet, excellent acceleration and handling. Gas mileage has been pretty good at 23 mpg in mixed driving. Optional bluetooth system worth the $675 dollars. I like the BLIS and Dynaudio.

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  Not your fathers Volvo !!! - 1996 Volvo 850
  By ciancetta - June 5 - 4:03 am

  A wonderful car to own. Wish dealer service was better!!!