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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  Volvo Bravo!! - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Jerry W - March 22 - 8:23 pm

  Had it for a week. A blast to drive - nicely weighted steering, peppy acceleration, and firm (but not harsh) ride over horrible pothole-filled roads in Michigan. Sandstone beige interior and dual tone dash convey luxury feel to it. Panoramic sunroof is magnificent (a free upgrade too). Unique City Safety (although havent got the guts to test it yet) and long list of Volvos safety features are all good. Very satisfied with the purchase!!

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  Terrible reliability - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Shelline Holmes - March 16 - 10:00 am

  I thought the Volvo was a reliable vehicle. But I should have done more research. The Volvo which I brought had 55000 miles. Today it has 69000. The transmission has to be replaced. The brakes have to be replaced again. The check engine light is on and off. The sensor system is bad. The control arms have to be replaced. The repair bill is just unbelievable!!!! I have to let the car go.

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  Great Car - 2003 Volvo C70
  By spmoran - March 14 - 7:00 am

  This car is fast, fun and pretty reliable. Ive had a few strange things happen. Once the climate control stopped working, but when I got to the dealership it started again and has been fine since. Once the engine light came on but they couldnt figure out why. Someone mentioned that it was because I just got gas. Anyway, it went off and hasnt come on again. Otherwise Ive had no problems.

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  You wont know unless you ask - 2007 Volvo XC70
  By Jordan - March 13 - 2:50 am

  Had tinted windows applied after factory. My kids put the windows down. the windows would not go back up . called dealership. Had to drive to dealership (30 minutes away) in the rain... They got the windows to go back up. They told me not to put the windows down for a week. Decided to apply winter tire package. Waited 1.5 hrs in service. Cost me $1100.00. Drove 20 min away. message comes on tells me I need service on my tires. Call service, I am told they forgot to add the sensors with the tires. This, apparently, is something new and needs to be added for a price of $350.00. I tell them, Ill be back another day. I return. Wait another 1.5 hrs.. Drive 20 min. down the road and message.

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  New Buyer - 2010 Volvo XC90
  By harcherdl - March 12 - 10:56 am

  We just bought our AWD XC90 and are very happy so far. Reviews of the add ons (like NAV and entertainment packages) helped us decide not to purchase these features. The safety features are unparalleled, especially at this price. If feels like you are driving a real vehicle instead of a plastic toy. Ride is smooth and much quieter than the Durango SLT Plus we traded in. 5 yr wear and tear, 5 yr maintenance, and 5 yr warranty were great bonuses. Costco buyers program, and the 2009 tax incentives sealed the deal for us.

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  Love the design hate the execution. - 2000 Volvo S70
  By MrHorrible - March 11 - 10:00 am

  Love the design and ergonomics of this car. Its extremely comfortable and well designed both inside and out. Great sound system stellar handling and suspension feel. Its ONE HELL of a car and the sexiest car "ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD". Thats where we get to the not so nice part. This is the most unreliable car I have ever owned. Not only does it break often but the dealer is often unable to fix it and often does more damage than good in the repair process. There are a TON of recalls as well. For the record I will NEVER buy another one again.

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  Volvo for life - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Braces - March 11 - 10:00 am

  Best mid-priced Volvo to date

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  I would do it again - 1998 Volvo S70
  By cls8888 - March 11 - 5:05 am

  I bought this car while pregnant in 98. My husband & I joked that the baby would drive it someday...and he is! My car has had the usual repairs but nothing unusual. It was garage parked for the first 8 yrs, outside for the last 7--just starting to rust around the sunroof rim. The leather delaminated from the doors within the first year & Volvo didnt cover it--peek in the windows of any 98 S70 and you will see it (thus the 3 rating for interior) Also--if anyone is pulling on the door handle when using the key fob unlock the locks will break. How did that get past Volvo engineers? Other than those 2 things and a cruddy local dealer I have been extremely pleased. No regrets at 190k mi!

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  The S40 has been good for me - 2001 Volvo S40
  By Steve-O - March 10 - 11:13 pm

  Ive had my Volvo S40 for 5 years now with only minor issues which are expected for any car. I got it certified used in 2004 with about 30K and now have 155K. I cannot complain with my Volvo, its been good so far!

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  Very Refined - 2010 Volvo XC70
  By klov - March 9 - 9:41 pm

  This is our fourth Volvo wagon in 16 years. And its the most refined yet. Definitely go for the T6. Its fast for a wagon. And smooth on acceleration. Fuel economy is just so-so, but offset by the Safe + Secure package that comes standard (free maintenance and wear-and-tear for five years). So far (3,000 miles), so good. By the way, we gifted our 2002 XC70 to our son who lives in the mountains of Wyoming. Its just getting started at 100,000 miles.