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 my Volvo - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By acolaruotolo - May 13 - 10:13 pm

  a real pleasure to drive. We are wrapped in comfort, safety and beauty.

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  I love it - 2001 Volvo S80
  By denys1 - May 13 - 2:55 am

  I bought this car for $7000 with 98000 miles and think it was a great deal for these money. It has about 18/25 mph, not too bad for 196hp engine. I used snow tires in winter and dont have any problem (I live in upstate NY and have enough snow). I had some problems with electronics, especial in winter. Throttle Body Control Module - was fixed, but THIS PART HAS 10 YEARS VOLVOs WARRANTY, I didnt spent any cent for repair that at volvo dealer. Actually, official dealership maintenance is little bit expensive, but I have near dealer which works only with Volvo cars long time. Same quality, but more cheap:). I spent about $1000 for three years, but I think it is normal for luxury car.

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  Sad to say goodbye. Hello newer V70. - 2000 Volvo V70
  By abigdor - May 12 - 9:03 pm

  Owned 7 years starting at 90000 miles used and ending at 140000 when struck in rear. Never broke down. Only significant repairs: brakes, timing belt, tires. Nothing but normal wear. Great handling, performance. Good to better economy. Safety: rear-end crash proved cars value. Sadly, declared total by ins. co. Paint still great. Glass great. Interior somewhat dirty from heavy child use. Total net expenses less than $10000 for 50000 miles (20cents/mi): best Ive had in many years. Have already purchased another V70 (2003) to replace it. Could not imagine what other car even to consider.

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  see for yourself its one great car - 2001 Volvo S40
  By happydude - May 12 - 10:00 am

  well, to sum it up quik. this car is no BMW 3-seris, or audi A4 as far as overall performance but it close. It lacks some ablity in cornering compared to these car. safety. Its better than both. roomyness, I front is fine, but if your tall than 511" you might be cramped the the rear seats. the car is built the a German tank. I own a chevy truck and it just as solid. There is also a ton of aftermarket upgrades for the car. upgraded it can d 0-60 in 6.2 sec, compared to 8.2 stock.

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  Just got a new one! - 2008 Volvo C30
  By wulfy - May 11 - 6:43 pm

  I love the solid "thunk" sound when a door closes. The rear seats are hard to get into, but with them down, the back is suprising roomy. Yes, it will run on either premium, regular or I guess "mid-grade". For your 1st 1000 miles, get a full featured premium. Then after, you can use regular for getting around town or Premium if you want performance. This car has plenty of ooomph. Unless you are street racing you dont need more. It manuevers like a dream.

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  Very Satisfied - 2003 Volvo S60
  By Miss Satisfied - May 11 - 3:56 pm

  I had a Honda Accord, a Lexus, Acura TL before this car and I LOVE my Volvo S60!!! I always wanted one when they got rid of the boxy body style. I get lots of compliments. It has a great extended warranty 5 yrs or 100,000 miles. I just wish I gotten the heated seats option, but from reading these reviews they dont sound warm enough. Overall, a great buy and a good investment as any when it comes to a buying a car.

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  I hate this car - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By mbj1227@gmail.com - May 10 - 5:44 pm

  I ordered this car last May and took delivery in January. Since then it has been in the shop 12 days for a myriad of ailments. "Hybrid System Failure" warning had it in the shop 8 days. Parking brake failure and alarm had it in the shop 4 days. The touch screen cuts in and out while driving, sometimes the windows wont roll down, it wouldnt shut off once. Lots of electrical glitches. The battery charge never charges more than 18 miles on the screen, but in reality the battery range is about 7-10 miles if that. The gas tank is too small so I have to fill the tank each week even with the battery. The interior is not well laid out - no storage space and the glove compartment barely holds my bottle of Advil. I bought this car for a family vehicle but it is far from being family friendly. It is not easy to move the seats up and down, not enough cup holders... DO NOT BUY THIS CAR.

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  Very nice w/ drawbacks - 2000 Volvo S80
  By John - May 7 - 10:20 pm

  I bought mine used at 70,000 miles and have put over 40,000 on it in just over one year. The ride is excellent, the interior is extremely comfortable, and it looks grrrreat! I have had the throttle control valve replaced for about $1,000, after dumping $600 on same problem and cleaning of the injectors. You will know when the throttle control valve gets dirty when the idle RPMs go up and down and the computer automatically shuts off the cruise while going down the highway because the RPMs are not steady enough. If yours gets dirty DO NOT bother having it cleaned once to avoid the cost of replacement. Replacement can be delayed but not avoided. Just get it replaced and save some $$.

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  Two Strikes Your Out - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Not Satisfied - May 7 - 4:10 pm

  After 8 months and 11 service calls Volvo replaced my first S60R Lemon. The second S60R I recieved in 9/2004. I am sorry to say this car was also a lemon. The wheel bearings went out, rear tail lights went out, it burned 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles, the chasis started to loosen up after 6000 miles. I just got rid of the car and took a financial hit, but I was tired of driving a loaner more than the actual car. DO NOT BUY THIS VEHICLE (unless you want to know your service people very well)

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  Fantastic - 2008 Volvo S40
  By James - May 7 - 10:00 am

  This car is fantasic. I have the 5 cylinder 2.4i and I love it! It has more than enough power to speed my car up to equal that of anyother car on the road. I live in the north and it does wonderfully in the snow. Being a Volvo it is extremely reliable, and it perfect for the new driver in our family. It is my 16 year olds car and we feel very secure with him driving this car around. The car just has that safe feel about it: the doors are thick and heavy, there are numorius airbags and rides very smoothly. Interior is beautiful, the car is fully loaded and the sterio is louder than anyone could stand to hear. I believe this is the new luxury car.