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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  First Impressions - 2007 Volvo V50
  By ChrisM - July 23 - 11:06 pm

  Ive had the car for only two weeks but here are my thoughts so far. Love the looks both inside and out, the appearance is what sold me on the V50. Excellent seats, smooth shifting automatic trans, reasonable performance from the 2.4i engine. I havent owned a Volvo before so the long term reliability is a bit of a concern. Early versions of this model seemed to suffer from electrical problems but my research on the 07 models seemed to show they have been worked out. I will post a follow up report after Ive put more mileage on it.

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  My C 70 - 2008 Volvo C70
  By LLoyd Smith - July 22 - 3:36 am

  I test drove other cars in the same class; Audi convertible, Lexus, Mercedes, etc. None, I say none of them felt as solid, had the same pick up, were as stylish, comfortable or as beautiful. What an great experience to drive this car, AND it isnt bad to have so many people take an extra look as you drive by. Everything is within very easy reach inside, even visibility is great. Although I prefer all wheel drive the C 70s front wheel drive works well. I have about 4,000 miles on it presently and I am getting an average of 20 mpg and I have a heavy foot. I am an "oldster" and it is a pleasure to get that "I love my car" feeling back. Top up or down draws a crowd.

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  Will absence make my heart grow fonder? - 2008 Volvo S60
  By 4th volvo - July 20 - 1:43 pm

  This is my fourth Volvo, so I guess I am brand loyal. The AWD is awesome. The car is heavier than my last T5 S60, although inside it is almost identical. The drive is powerful, and the acceleration with the geartronic transmission makes the car very fun to drive. The leather, stereo, etc., is just enough luxury for me. Sad to say I havent had it 2 full months and it will be in the shop already because the temperature gauge does not work and the fan will not stop. Car currently sounds like a jet plane after starting it.

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  Nice toy! - 2010 Volvo S80
  By clsintl - July 20 - 2:53 am

  I ordered this car overseas when I lived in Europe which means the color, Magic Blue and the Odysseus wheels are not offered in the US V8 model. I get quite a few thumbs up when I drive and quite a few smug looks from Mercedes drivers. The interior leather is beige leather with coffee dash which is a beautiful combination. The 650W Stereo is just as good as my home Bose system. Its well balanced with the help of an equalizer. I love the engine when it first fires up as it growls then settles down where its Quiet!

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  250,000 Miles - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By LJ - July 19 - 10:46 pm

  My fiances 2004 T6 AWD Volvo has 250,000 miles and it drives like its brand new. Its had no problems (just regular maintenance). He changes the oil regularly and uses premium gas. His dad (a small business owner) has two newer Volvos he purchased as company cars that have also racked up some miles, and they also drive wonderfully. My fiance and his dad absolutely love Volvo XC90s and this lead me to purchase one for myself. I recently bought a used 2004 2.5T FWD with 53,000 miles and I love it so far. I hope she also makes it to 250,000!

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  Toms review - 2004 Volvo S60
  By tfklem - July 19 - 10:00 am

  I like this car. It is very safe and drives very smooth and is very comfortable to sit in.

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  I love my Volvo - 2005 Volvo V50
  By oukieguy77 - July 19 - 10:00 am

  I love my Volvo V50. What more can I say? Its safe, fun to drive, and a great buy.

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  Excellent! - 2005 Volvo S60
  By johnnyknox - July 19 - 10:00 am

  I have just bought my car and I greatly enjoy the feel of the car. I greatly enjoy the trust I have in my car and I experience an exuberance not felt with previous cars that I owned. The volvo is fantastic!

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  shop talk - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By klaypt - July 19 - 10:00 am

  This one is getting ready to become a "lemon law" mobile. Ive had the brakes worked on so many times volvo is ordering "specially manufactured larger" brake pads and rotars for this "unique problem". THESE DO NOT COME STANDARD ON THE XC 90. You too can get the special pads and rotars that actually fit the vehichle, you just have to have it in the shop most of the first two years.

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  NO trade-in value! - 2000 Volvo V40
  By Scott944 - July 18 - 6:20 pm

  The $15k Ive spent on my 2000 V40 (purchase price plus repairs) means nothing at trade-in time, apparently because there is no demand for this model at the auctions where dealers wholesale cars. At best, Im being offered one-quarter of my cash outlay. Also, buyers should be prepared to have a lot of expensive things break by 100k miles. My dealer told me today that he was recently driving through a scary part of Washington, DC in a similar S40 sedan when the Mitsubishi-built transmission simply failed completely at a stoplight, something he had never experienced with even the oldest Volvos. Im going back to a 1996 Volvo 850 GLT--if I can get enought trade from my V40 to cover some of it!