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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  S60R - The Perfect Perfomance Sedan - 2005 Volvo S60
  By da60015 - August 21 - 10:53 pm

  Having already been impressed for over three years with my S60 2.5T, I welcomed the opportunity to test drive the S60R. This was following test drives of comparable BMW, Mercedes and Cadillac models. Safety and the comfort for a 6 foot plus adult being a given, the power and handling of the "R" exceeded even my expectations. I have not had this much fun since my Corvette. The car hangs tough with my friends Porsches and MBs on our monthly country outings into the backroads of Wisconsin.

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  The Car that Couldnt - 1999 Volvo S80
  By My Great S80 LEMON - August 21 - 2:10 pm

  Turbo engine smooth and powerful, but many mechanical problems and design issues. Even SRS systems stop working, Volvo took no responsibility and left me with Un-Safe vehicle. Engineer could solve problem. Fuel Tank stop accepting fuel - Volvo could not explain, Fuel line broke within weeks after spending $2200 to fix other problems. Electronic Control Module (control for SRS is located beneath cup holderwhich leaked twice and cost me >$800 each time to fix. Volvo took responsibility for bad design or offered solution. Bottom line is Volvo and its dealers left me with expenses and estimates of more than $15,000 on a car with less than 86,000 miles and a lot less safe than older cars.

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  Good car, bad cupholder - 2001 Volvo S40
  By Tristan - August 21 - 2:13 am

  My S40 is great to drive. It handles well, has nice acceleration, and is great when it comes to protection in a crash. It has had a few mechanical issues since Ive had it. At around 87000 miles, the left front wheel bearings needed to be replaced. At about 88000 miles, and after getting into one accident, the cruise control quit. Took the Volvo dealership an hour to tell me that they didnt know what was wrong, got it fixed by a local mechanic in a few hours. Fuel pressure regulator gave out at 103000 miles, as did the spark plug cables. Check engine light is overzealous. Parts are very expensive if you get into a crash or break a lens for the lights. Otherwise, this is a great car!

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  Great Car - 2005 Volvo V50
  By J Patent - August 20 - 8:03 pm

  We have put just over 1500 miles on the car and it is great! We got all the options except the DSC (in hindsight, I would have purchased this) and navigation system. Used to have an Audi A4 and this car is much better. The seats are more comfortable, the stereo is better and easier to use, and it performs just as well if not better.

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  BLIS and More - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By XC - August 17 - 5:00 pm

  Six trips to repair BLIS - the last to have new software downloaded and was told it was fixed. It was on in my driveway...it was on in an empty parking lot while I was in Park. Still not fixed. Just had the rack and pinion steering replaced. Did I mention the car has less than 10,000 miles on it, is 4 months old and I bought it with 4500 dealer miles on it? Volvo just offered me a new replacement vehicle, but I want out completely and have lemon law arbitration in about a week. The vehicle is a bust and so is the dealership.

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  Bethanys Volvo S40 - 2006 Volvo S40
  By BRH - August 17 - 4:36 pm

  The new S40 is NOT your fathers Volvo! The recently revamped 2005 S40 has Volvos signature elegance and class, yet - despite its (somewhat boring) reputation for safety and reliability -- is incredibly fun to drive and punchy. I would recommend this car to anyone looking for class, excitement, and reliability at a price that is surprisingly easy-to-swallow.

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  Win the Lottery! - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Stuck-in-PA - August 17 - 10:00 am

  After "upgrading" to Volvo from American, Im going back. Many good features, but not worth the maintenance and repair costs--and they wont stand by their product. They admit that there are bugs in the 2000 model, but Im paying the enormous costs. Problems: Electronic Throttle Module replacement, A/C, ABS module, bulbs burning out, suspension, rattles, fan assembly, etc... Not worth the premium paid and buying into the Volvo quality/saftey image!

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  Adios! - 2001 Volvo S40
  By Anonymous - August 16 - 5:23 am

  I just traded this car in for a Toyota after 10+ years of loyal Volvo ownership. This is the worst car I have ever owned. Meticulously maintained and the turbo blew at 50k, then the ignition coils, then the thermostat, and on and on. Not on par with what a Volvo owner expects from a car. It was cheap and it shows in every aspect of the car from the interior to the mechanical reliability. I am so glad to be rid of this car.

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  Seriously, Not bad at all - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Tahoe - August 15 - 2:46 am

  My wife and I bought this car last week and we love it. It handles like a dream and so far the mileage is greater then we expected. 23.5 as of this morning. We are both over 6 feet tall, Im 64" and she is 62" and fit very comfortably. However, the back seat isnt going to much use unless you are under about 55". There is a ton of cargo room and the car is almost as fun to drive as our mini cooper. When on cruise control, this car climbs like a mountain goat. There is no hesitation or effort put forth by the engine and the turbo WILL put you back in your seat.

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  2010 V70 R-Design - 2010 Volvo V70
  By BoomerZoomer - August 13 - 8:36 am

  Were loving our new Volvo. My wife and I both have lower back pain and the R-Design front seats are the best weve tried. I wanted a new car for our retirement years and the choices are very few for a wagon low enough to easily load canoes and kayaks on the roof, and hold a recumbent trike in the cargo area. The R-Design is a great package so we only added the convenience package (heated seats) and the keyless ignition. I was pleased to be able to get a nice handling package with the standard drivetrain.