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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  Have your checkbook ready - 1998 Volvo S70
  By Dolce - April 5 - 10:00 am

  I was excited when buying my Volvo, but 5.3 yrs. later at only 55000 miles, with 20 trips to the dealer: its on its 3rd battery, front rotors replaced at low mileage, rear engine oil seal leakage, interior door panel coverings "bubbled", numerous headlamp replacements and turn signal bulbs (prior to recall), windshield is pitted (!!), and it eats tires. Except for one battery, it was all after the warranty expired. Your Volvo will last a long time...provided you replace every part at least once. Drive it for 3 years and then go to Toyota, Nissan, or Honda.

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  Car to Avoid - 1998 Volvo S70
  By Jack - April 1 - 9:43 pm

  This Volvo is definitely not one of the better products Volvo has made. My car is always in the shop and has multiple electrical and computer problems (there are 7 computers in it, none of them very reliable). The engine is fairly reliable. Domestic and Japanese cars have better records. I paid about $30,000 for this car and have put in about $25,000 in repairs. So basically, my car has become a $55,000 car over 9 years. I probably should have tried another brand, but with past experience of Volvos reputation of safety and reliability, I thought this would be good. It was a mistake. Avoid this car if you can. Or buy it cheap since it doesnt really hold value anyway.

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  S60 2.5T Hasnt Failed yet!! - 2007 Volvo S60
  By Richie T - March 27 - 11:48 pm

  Lower MPG than 04 V70 2.5t wagon....though it improved a bit with new tires. Had it about 2 years and its very comfortable in the front seats. Just doesnt drive as smoothly as the older wagon.

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  If only the quality matched the looks - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Tom Cheney - March 18 - 10:00 am

  Very poor inital quality. Very slow to make design changes to fix obvious problems. Wait 3 years before buying one as they have many bugs.

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  1996 Volvo 850 - 1996 Volvo 850
  By volvoforyou - March 13 - 4:20 am

  Have a 1996 850 which I bought used with 56000 miles in 2003. Since that time I have replaced shock towers, both front axles, both 02 sensors (twice!) numerous light bulbs, check engine light cycles on and off at will. A/C cuts in and out. Now the radiator just went! I do like this classic car and have read many good reviews on this site; however I guess i got a bad one. I also had a 1998 S70 which I didnt have much luck with either. Sorry Volvo I have had enough.

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  Im Eagely Letting Go of My Dream - 2000 Volvo S40
  By fox - March 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought my S40 in 2001. I had always wanted a volvo and I figured that I should go ahead an get one. the brakes pads had to be replaced about a month after purchase. The lightbulbs go out to many times to count. there are some stranges squeaking noises coming from it. All in all I like my zippy car but my children cannot take the unrealisticly small backseat and the horrible interior designing and planning for buttons and cup holders not to mention the fact that it has created a lot of negative equity. I am looking for a way out.

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  Im Eagely Letting Go of My Dream - 2000 Volvo S40
  By Fox - March 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought my S40 in 2001. I had always wanted a volvo and I figured that I should go ahead an get one. the brakes pads had to be replaced about a month after purchase. The lightbulbs go out to many times to count. there are some stranges squeaking noises coming from it. All in all I like my zippy car but my children cannot take the unrealisticly small backseat and the horrible interior designing and planning for buttons and cup holders not to mention the fact that it has created a lot of negative equity. I am looking for a way out.

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  rattle, rattle, rattle - 2003 Volvo S60
  By do not buy this car - March 4 - 10:00 am

  Nothing quite loke a car that audibly lets you know that it hates bumps in the road. Back to the dealership several times - they have no idea. Rattles and jars - even though the suspension is so loose it could be taken by a Ford Escort - oh yeah, who makes this car now? Should not be marketed as a sports sedan it does not even compare to the others in its class - A4, 3 series, etc.

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  Wont do that again - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By JohnK - March 1 - 11:43 pm

  We bought the vehicle as a CPO and its a good thing we did. Steering rack replaced at 40K. Audio system failed at 48K. Steering wheel began to come loose at 52K. The vehicle is quirky. Seat memory linked to key fob seems to have mind of its own. There is no power to the pass. seat with ignition off. Lumbar adjusted by a difficult to turn, knuckle scraping knob. Refrigerant can be heard running through the lines as the A/C compressor cycles on and off. Very good sound from the audio system but menus navigation / display leave a lot to be desired.

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  Repair and replace - 2004 Volvo S40
  By Edwin - February 28 - 10:00 am

  It is unbelievable how many times I have had to return to the dealership. To date I have had to replace the vacuum pump, steering wheel, rear seat, trunk latch, rear brakes, front tires, turbo, repaint, arm rest, cup holder, and umpteen headlights. I saw the service manager Richard more than my wife.