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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  Owned for 2 years, mixed bag - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By vmerch - August 5 - 1:27 pm

  I bought a 3.2 AWD new 2 years ago and drove it 26K miles. Towards the end it was a rattletrap. It was so bad that the dealership said that finding where it was coming from behind the dashboard could cause even worse rattles putting it back together. The loose rattles in the tailgate never were fixed from day one. The transmitter in the hatch was loose from the factory. The dealer broke 7 out of the 10 retaining clips "fixing" it. Popping noise in the drivers seat never fixed. Both Bliss cameras were replaced in 2 years. The power steering reservoir/lines were replaced after steering effort was erratic. Great to look at, but not that comfortable on the inside. Overall, quality was horrible.

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  Love my Volvo ! ! ! - 2004 Volvo S60
  By volvoguy - August 4 - 2:00 am

  I love this car and dont feel right driving anything else. The car has a very heavy feel to it very solid. The design of this car turn many heads and I constantly recieve comments on my car all the time. You have to have the sunroof when driving with the sunroof open I can still listen to the music perfect. I also have the Navigation system in which is very helpful for me being in a new city, when not in use it tucks away automatically in the dashboard itself for some reasons all my passengers are like WOW. Overall this car is absoluetly a winner ! ! ! ! !

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  My Impressions of S60R - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Kheeky - August 4 - 2:00 am

  You cant appreciate the car until you have actaully driven. Unbelivable acceleration and handling. Ill take on an S4 anyday.

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  Ellens review - 2003 Volvo S60
  By elhello - August 4 - 2:00 am

  Im thrilled with the handling of y S60. It hugs the road & didnt slip in the ice. I feel very safe with the car, besides the fact that its fun to drive. The driver seat is extremely comfortable too.

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  Gotta be different - 2002 Volvo C70
  By Travisy - August 3 - 10:00 am

  One thing that drew me to the C70 is that there arent a lot of them out there. Seems like you see BMWs everywhere but you sure dont see many C70s. I have only had mine about a month now and really enjoy it. I live it in Italy and trust me it will do more than the governed 130mph. I can cruise at 100mph with no problems and very smooth on the highway. It also fun running through the Italian Alps. I sure feel I got my moneys worth.

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  Volvo 2000 S80T6 - 2002 Volvo S80
  By RGrabber - August 3 - 10:00 am

  Dissapointed . Rear stablizers replaced at 25000, front stablizers replaced at 49000. Electrical system bad. Light bulbs burned out often until they were replaced with heavy duty ones. I pull a small boat, because of the heavy duty light bulbs, the fuses blow as soon as the trailer is hooked up. The hitch and trailer connection were installed by the dealer. $1000 repair to the throttle assembly. Volvo replaced parts at no cost even though it was 52000 miles. I paid labor ($280). Volvo said no more free parts. It appears to need major repair every 20000 miles or less. The 2000 seems to have lost over half it values in less than two years.

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  critical driver - 2001 Volvo V70
  By xc driver in Colo - August 3 - 10:00 am

  Ive had the car for 16 months and 25K miles. Absolutely NO mechanical problems at all. I had some flasher light and remote entry problems due to bad parts, both fixed. Wonderful to drive, dealer has been incredible.

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  Best of the Bunch - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By RRyba - August 1 - 9:16 pm

  Before going for the XC90 V8, I drove the Porsche Cayanne S, Lexus GX470, Lexus LX470 and Acura MDX, Whiule the other SUVs had a lot more bells and whistles (voice activated Navigation/Bluetooth, etc.), this SUV had the best performance, look, feel and room of the bunch, for the price. I love the power, the cabin is very nicely appointed. Everything is logically laid out and performs perfectly. I added the Bluetooth system, which works great with our phones. This is my third SUV and I am completely sold on Volvos after driving this one.

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  engine cold start problem - 2013 Volvo S60
  By lee168 - July 31 - 10:34 am

  I just bought a 2013 volvo s60 t5 about two weeks ago. When I started the engine in a cold morning, the engine misfires and rumbles for about 5 to 10 seconds. It has been happening every morning when the temperature is below 50 degree, and it happens only the first time you start the engine. After the first time, everything is fine. I brought the car to a volvo dealer, they did all the testings and did not find anything wrong. they contacted volvo support and was suggested to upgrade ECM software 36004-2.3. but the problem still exists after the software upgrade.

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  Outstanding Quality - 2004 Volvo V40
  By johnnie - July 31 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is extremely comfortable and has an incredible ride. I highly recommend it for singles, married couples, and couples with young children, as the rear seating area (leg room)is a little snug.