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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  Cant Afford this Car Anymore! - 1999 Volvo V70
  By Bummed - July 11 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my Volvo XC70 new,planned to keep it for 200,000 miles. Within a month the problems started and 80,000 miles later havent stopped. The list of problems is long (bulbs, engine mount, turbo leak, door locks, power windows(4xs), etc, etc. Volvo fixed all under warranty. But unfortunately the problems continued after the first 50,000 and are now my expense. I am now replacing this car because I wont continue to pour money into this vehicle anymore. I had seriously considered the XC90 - but wont take the chance. The dealers must also know that this year was a lemon because I cant get near the Trade-in Values that are listed on-line!

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  4th Time a Charm - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Ric - July 10 - 6:06 am

  I have now purchased my fourth Volvo. I own a 240 GL (each of my kids learned to drive in it) a V70 XC AWD (wifes) and an 850 GLT. Combined, I have over 550K miles on them all - and this isnt counting my first one, a 240 DL wagon which I put over 300K on as the kid mover car!! Now I own an S40 T5 AWD and it is the best Volvo I have ever had! If I am careful, I even get good gas mileage (around 29 mpg combined). It is fun to drive and a solid handling and feeling car. I anticipate putting lots of miles on this car like I have my other ones!

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  Love this car - 2005 Volvo S60
  By MH - July 9 - 4:00 pm

  I love this car. It is fun to drive. It is a comfortable, good looking car. The inside is a little small but I really like the looks (inside and out), the performance, and reliability. The interior wood grain is really nice. I would buy this car again and out of all the cars that I have owned, this is the only car I can say that about.

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  Need to Build Them Like They Used To! - 2001 Volvo S80
  By lisag - July 8 - 6:56 pm

  Gone are the days when a Volvo lasted for 200,000 miles. I am on my third Volvo and cant say I would buy another one. The last one was a 1995 850 that I drove for 60,000 miles before the transmission went on it. I traded it for a 2001 S80, which I have loved, but now the transmission needs to replaced at 72,000 miles. $5,500 is a bit much to sink into a car with a blue book value slightly higher than that. These cars are great if you can afford to keep sinking money into them.

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  02 2.4 ASR in WDC - 2002 Volvo V70
  By KKC&JLC - July 8 - 3:30 am

  Wifes car - has 25K miles. Bought new in early 03 before baby arrived (needed safer vehicle w/more cargo space); got great deal w/yr end clearance - chose over preowned 01 V70 for same price, 13K miles, & less options. Premium & Touring packages - Leather, sunroof, 16"alloys, 3rd seat, laminated glass . . . great car overall. Looks like the NHTSA finally crash tested the V70 for frontal and side impacts - 5 stars all the way around! Only problem thus far has been a burned out power lock motor in rear door (under warranty) and a burned out headlight (replaced myself). Will look at an XC90 next for more space . . . but will wait until the bugs are worked out from the first few yr

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  Do not buy this car w/ more than 100k miles - 2007 Volvo S40
  By Andrew B - July 8 - 12:24 am

  My the 2.5T back in college w/ 75k miles because we got a good deal from a friend at a dealership. Drove fine until we hit about 110k and then it was one repair after another. My wife has sentimental attachment to the car, but I would get rid of it tomorrow if I could. It is a mediocre car that calls itself luxury - decent power, decent interior, decent handling, poor brakes, outdated infotainment even for the time...nothing great about the car. Over the past year weve easily put $5000 in non-routine repairs and have experienced several breakdowns. One was a software update which the dealer never notified us of. If you want a luxury car spend a few grand extra for a beamer or audi, if you want a reliable car (which has basically everything the volvos do minus a little power) get a Honda or Toyota. Will never get another Volvo. Also get mediocre MPG for the power offered.

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  Best of the three! - 2010 Volvo S80
  By brianluigi - July 7 - 4:32 pm

  i work with a us volvo dealer as a tech and i have to say the S80 with the V8 is my favorite! amazing design with the engine. today i reached 130 in seconds while taking a curve. this car deserves its rightful place next to any mercedes benz or audi. its classy, makes you feel like you own your city inside, and when you see a speeder you can pass them with ease. the only thing i dont like about this car is that its a little too quick. It makes me want to run from the cops when they try to pull me over for speeding.

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  Superb car - 2012 Volvo S60
  By owlieono - July 7 - 6:47 am

  My wife and I are long-time BMW owners, and we love those cars. We compared the T5 to a new BMW 3-series, and the T5 won hands-down. It is simply more car for less money. Excellent pickup on the freeway, deft steering, nimble handling. Before buying we also test drove the T6, which was AWESOME, but more car than we needed. The T5 is so much fun to drive and so well-built that I have a feeling our enthusiasm will last long after our last car payment. If you are considering a BMW, Lexus, or the like, you MUST test drive this car. Gone are the days of the stodgy Volvo. This car positively rocks!

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  Impressed with C70 - 2008 Volvo C70
  By Mike S - July 5 - 11:20 am

  I could not be more satisfied with my new 2008 C70 convertible. As an owner of a 2000 C70, bought new and driven over 100k miles, I initially though I would select something different. I shopped the competition for convertibles and test drove many below and above the C70s price point. I concluded the C70 was clearly the best value for me based on quality, style, and fuel efficiency. The C70 is not inexpensive, but the more expensive 328i and CLK350 could not justify their higher prices. I have now driven the car for two months. All my expectations have been satisfied. Great qulaity and value.

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  First Volvo - 2004 Volvo S60
  By rooster94 - July 5 - 10:00 am

  Just bought our First Volvo. got 4350 off MSRP of 33500...maybe could have done better, but seemed like a lot of car for under 30k. We are very pleased with the dealer, price, and performance of the car.