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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  Rugged yet Refined - 2005 Volvo XC70
  By twobrick - March 2 - 5:30 am

  The XC70 is surprisingly quick and agile for its size. It hugs the road in the twisties and provides more than ample passing power. Controls are sensibly placed, easily understood and intuitively managed. Comfort and stability, generously dished up, are enhanced by cutting-edge safety features, providing the family transport holy graile: peace of mind.

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  2 cars in one. - 2006 Volvo C70
  By laxdad - February 28 - 4:30 pm

  This is a solid car, the hard top convertible makes the car a perfect choice for year round driving. The car is very quiet with the top up, and a blast to drive with the top down. The interior styling is excellent - no clutter and controls are easy to use. Front seats are typical Volvo comfort, and back seat room is larger than I have seen on other convertibles. Build quality is excellent.

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  Going back to BMW - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Back to BMW - February 27 - 9:13 pm

  Never intended to buy a Volvo but wound up buying this one. I do like the acceleration. The brakes have already been replaced due to squeaking and are doing it again! Had to replace very expensive tires at 20,000 miles! Multi CD player skips and was replaced with another one that does the same thing. Back seat doesnt have any leg room when drivers seat is set at a comfortable setting for me at 58". Could maybe fit a baby car seat behind it as there is only about 3" between front and back seat. This car is next to impossible to park with its horrible turning radius! My husbands truck turns and parks much better than this tank!

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  Too many expensive repairs - 2001 Volvo S80
  By Dil - February 27 - 4:26 pm

  Ive owned this volvo since Oct. 06 and its been trouble since then. Sway bar links, turbocharger drain o-ring, breaks/rotors, 60K maintenance, and all the recalls on it. Im still waiting from the dealership about changing the Catalytic Converter, which is thankfully covered by under 80k warranty, otherwise it wouldve been $1,500 to replace it. Its a very nice car, and Ive read some positive reviews on it, but Id never expected to encounter these many problems from it. I hope theres no more trouble to see on this car because Ive already spent $3,100 on it fixing the above plus problems. This volvo didnt meet my expectation of a volvo vehicle that ive heard about in the past.

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  DO NOT Buy a used 2001 XC - 2001 Volvo V70
  By The Sluffy - February 26 - 10:30 am

  I loved the design of these Cross Country wagons, very handsome, and the interior fit and finish is really beautiful in this car, but otherwise this think is an abosule MESS. Stay away at all costs. I have owned two other Volvos in the past, but this piece of junk has really soured me on Volvo. Its too bad...but I think the 2000 and 2001/2002 are really bad reliability wise. Ive had to replace the transmission, there is always something going wrong with the car, and its so crazy expensive to get it fixed, at least $500 to $1000 each time it goes to the shop. Im dumping this piece of junk before it eats my lunch.

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  Surprisingly competitive - 2003 Volvo V40
  By Jackpot - February 26 - 2:00 am

  Light, narrow and quick (once you get past the turbo lag). Excellent for the price, more fun and nicer than a Subaru, etc. Performs comparably to the BMW 3-series wagon, the MB C-class wagon, or the Audi A4 series for much less $. Handles well on snow.

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  Who are these people? - 2000 Volvo S40
  By Dogfight - February 26 - 2:00 am

  I have no idea who is writing these reviews. This car has lived up to its reputation and has the get up it needs to be a solid sedan. All these complaints about blown lights?? Is this a scam to down grade the car value? My only complaint was an engine light that was fixed at the Volvo Dealership. If your taking your car to a neighborhood mechanic you get what you put into it.

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  Early problems but then 3 great years - 1999 Volvo S80
  By bruce- - February 26 - 2:00 am

  First year was tough, with problems with mass air sensor and electric fan which failed. Ball joints replaced on recall and engine mounts replaced during 30K mi service . But, we figured that we would have some problems, since the car was First Year of Issue! We have the car now for 3 3/4 years and can honestly report that since the end of year 1, the car has run flawlessly and is very fast and comfortable.

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  Dont worry, be happy! - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Norskie4 - February 26 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car used, at a fantastic deal due to the initial problems that now seem to have been fixed. Car rides like a dream, very fast and comfortable, huge trunk and a sound system that is some of the best that can be had out there. With Volvo safety added, this feels like a steal as a used car value.

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  Fabulous and Fun V70 - 2002 Volvo V70
  By MaineTrees - February 23 - 9:40 pm

  After 4 years and 50K+ miles I still love this car. It is a joy to drive. Seat comfort is superb. I can drive for hours with no back ache. Braking system is superb. This is the non-turbo model and has plenty of pep with the 5 speed auto transmission. 32 MPG highway at 70 mph. About 22-23 in the city. Repairs and scheduled maint are expensive at the dealer!! Find a good independent garage and stick to the maintenance schedule. You will save lots of $$. Change the trans fluid every 40K miles, the claimed lifetime trans fluid interval is baloney. The cost of a new tranny will make you cry!