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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  Volvo Lover - 2006 Volvo S60
  By Annette Ferrell - February 26 - 2:56 am

  I searched many months for a car and my decision came down to the Volvo and the Acura TL. I love this Volvo - its quick, FUN to drive, yet has a feeling of sophistication and sexy! This car feels like its floating on the road - watch your speedometer - youll be at 90 mph before you know it. This car is comfortable and well appointed. Leg room in the back is a little tight, but I rarely have rear passengers so no problem. I drive about 80% highway and consistently get 27-28 mpg.

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  Buying new car one part at a time - 2000 Volvo V70
  By Christopher Hanks - February 25 - 10:23 am

  Paid 5K$ for a V70 XC AWD Turbo with 95,420 miles plus 2K$ trade in. Biggest problem was failing Electronic Throttle Montrol (ETM) causing car to stumble and hesitate intermittently. Solution was to replace ETM with rebuilt/re-designed (non-mechanical) ETM for $689 plus $196 labor for installation. In first year have also had to replace serpentine belt, AC evaporator core, rack and pinion power steering assembly, catalytic converter, timing belt, engine mounts and rear stabilizer assembly - totaling another $8800 in parts and labor. Runs well now - hoping for another 100K mi

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  Volvo T6 AWD - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Mac and Marti - February 23 - 7:10 am

  To date have had a great experience with the car. Also had same with dealership. Excellant service with NO pressure. Also made very favorable deal.

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  Great Car For The Money! - 2002 Volvo S60
  By dingo686 - February 22 - 8:43 pm

  I have put 30k miles on mine and these are my impressions so far at 80K miles. I used to be a Honda guy but when I couldnt find a used one at a descent price I drove this car and boy am I glad I did. These cars have all the reliability of the Japanese cars but better fit and finish and quality. Just open and shut the doors of this car and youll know what Im talking about. Only problem Ive had with this car is the fuel pump cracked but it is a recall item so I took it to the dealer and they replaced it no charge. I have replaced one daytime running lamp and the oil and thats it. To me you get the looks, feel, most of the peppiness and quality of a BMW 3 series but at half the price.

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  2001 Volvo 2dr Sdn - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Andrea Smith - February 22 - 5:46 pm

  Overall, a very good car! Purchased car for safety features as well as design and have been satisfied YTD. Took 3 years of ownership before realizing that there is a trunk release above rear license plate when doors are unlocked push up on rubber cover this will open the trunk without using the fob.I have to agree that the car does burn bulbs. Car only has 38000 miles and replaced over 6 bulbs. The dealership I go to is not so generous and charges $4.00 a bulb a bit pricy. Had some problems with plastic runners on roof pitting and discoloring the first year but they were replaced under warranty. Also, experienced some electrical problem that was also covered under warranty.

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  2004 XC90 T6 AWD - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By pcassell - February 22 - 10:00 am

  Waited months for the new 2004 to come in to the dealership but it was worth the wait. This car is extremly comfortable and fun to drive. I think its sharper looking than the BMW and has more interior space. Another big plus is that you dont see these cars on every street corner.

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  5,060 Miles of S80 in Europe - 2007 Volvo S80
  By Werner Koczian - February 22 - 4:36 am

  Used Volvos superb overseas delivery program. Drove car in Europe for two months from Sweden through France, to Monaco and back through Italy, Austria, Germany, and Denmark back to factory for home shipment. Excellent performance including almost 25 mpg fuel economy. Car was a joy to drive in the Alps as well as the Autobahns. In small towns and crowded metro areas, this is definitely a big car. But its size gets respect on the Autobahn as smaller cars yield to this big Swede.

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  150k miles and counting!! - 2007 Volvo S60
  By Christian - February 21 - 6:51 am

  I bought my 2007 Volvo S60 R used at 85k miles. It now has over 150k miles on it! In this time I have not had one problem with the car. Its given a scheduled oil change every 5k miles, and had its 120k mile regular maintenance. I do take very good care of my car, however, I enjoy having fun in it as well. With the DTSC system combined with AWD, the back country roads couldnt be more fun. This was my first car, and have had it since I was 16, so Im sure you can guess the limits Ive pushed this car to... None the less, it has held up better than I couldve imagined. I recently took the car for a full 130 point inspection and it passed every single one. My mechanic doesnt doubt if Ill see 300k miles with this car. With all the good, I will have to complain about the turn radius, as its about the same as truck. All in all its a great car, I look forward to the life of this car and the other Volvos I will be purchasing.

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  R doesnt stand for Reliability - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Greg - February 20 - 10:13 pm

  Ive had the S60R for about one year now; its a blast to drive, sporty and luxurious. The navigation works well, but does not have voice activation or a touch screen. So far Ive averaged at least one trip to the dealer per month for "nuisance" problems and technical bulletin fixes. The 6 speed will make even the most seasoned stick drivers feel like a 16 year old learning to drive a manual tranny, its never the same clutch twice. In spite of these shortcomings, Volvo has done a nice job entering into the M3 and S4 realm. The R can hang with either car and not embarrass itself. Just be prepared to fork over alot of cash at the pump.

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  Quality Assurance Inspector 18 Yrs. - 2007 Volvo V50
  By Dan - February 20 - 8:46 pm

  The Is My Seventh Volvo, Most of My Volvo were Used , But always got Good Resale and Trade In. I bought My First One as a College Student on Easter Break in Fla. 122S Cream White with Red and White Interior 4 Sp ,144 , 244 , 245, 242 GL 4 sp-elec. OD - New ,Big Brakes 2001 V40 New , K&N , Cool Stat ,Drilled Rotors Speical Pads, NGK Iridiums 2007 V50 New, K&N, Still Breakin In Motor ! Seems Like It is Rally Sport Set Up ! The Aero-Dynmaics Could be a little Better - Didnt - get that Opt. Package 6 Spd is a Blast,Makes Smiles per Mile ! I Wish Volvo Would do Better Aero under Trunk Rear Aera , allowing a Spot Spoiler Lower Air Exit. All in all The Volvo is Great. Danny