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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  Great Car! - 2012 Volvo S60
  By kj83 - January 15 - 8:26 am

  OK, so the other reviews describe the car well. For those wondering how they hold up over time: my S60 T5 is nearly 2 years old (purchased May 2011), has about 24K miles on it, and has had no problems (OK, well, I did get the wiper blades replaced for free at my last routine service, and a firmware update before that). I bought this over a BMW 3 series, Audi A4, Infinity, etc, and that was a bit of a shocker as I only stopped into the Volvo dealer because it was on my way to another car dealer. Good thing, as I was won over after many test drives, and I do love the car.

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  awd amazing - 2000 Volvo V70
  By jmf - January 15 - 2:00 am

  My first Volvo - love it. Although I would like more power it would be sufficient for most people. The AWD is unstoppable in the snow (and Ive tried). The heated mirrors are nice in New England. The interior is as nice as any car in the price range (love the heated seats) and the exterior is still somewhat stylish (for a volvo) despite the model change in 01. Ive only had it 7 months but so far so good.

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  Off to a good start - 2004 Volvo S60
  By kjessen - January 15 - 2:00 am

  I received my 2.5 turbo awd on Dec 15,2003. It was great timing with a good snow storm coming the next night. I went out at midnight to drive up and down the unplowed hills in this part of Wisconsin and was amazed at the cars ability to just go where I wanted it to go with out any real effort. I took a quick cruise to Detroit and back (averaging about 78 mph going along with flow of the crazy drivers around Chicago and across Michigan) It was extremely comfortable and secure feeling. It has taken me a little while to get used to the "turbo lag" in city street driving. So far (about 5000 miles) it has been totally without defect or problem.

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  happy owner - 2004 Volvo S80
  By john jacobs - January 15 - 2:00 am

  I like the car and have been very satisfied

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  Awesome and safe suv - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By volvolvr - January 15 - 2:00 am

  I love my Volvo ... and I love even more that its an SUV. Safe, quiet and sleek. Its the BEST!

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  Solid fun brick, expensive repairs - 1996 Volvo 850
  By ADub - January 14 - 3:10 pm

  Bought mine used at 170000 miles, now has 230000. Right around 200000, had to replace starter, fuel pump, and the odo. went out. Have not replaced odo. Have computer, overall 30 mpg, probably 26 city, 35+ hwy. I drive it slow, 55 mph on hwy. Just replaced head gasket, $1250 at ind.gar Volvos are super safe (built in roll bar in roof), built to last, superior handling, even for the wagons. I believe that the non-turbo engines are peppier than the turbos (when not in boost range). Parts are very expensive - the starter as a rebuilt was $200, not incl. labor. Found a used one for $30 and did it myself. Could have done the fuel pump myself, and saved $400 on labor (part was $200).

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  Solid through and through - 2000 Volvo S40
  By Randy B - January 14 - 10:00 am

  This is a fun-to-drive car. Very solid vehicle. Best car Ive ever owned. Very responsive turbo; can pass virtually any vehicle on the road at speeds of 60 - 80 mph.

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  definitely unique - 2001 Volvo S40
  By lami - January 14 - 10:00 am

  if youre looking for an affordable sedan that doesnt look like a taurus or camry, this volvo is your best bet on the US market. this car has been manufactured in the netherlands since 1996, but its look and feel are still very fresh around here. and do not get scared by the small size of the engine. no matter in what situation youll be, this cute volvo is going to move fast and without much effort. mileage is good, performance adequate, the interior design beats all the cheap american/japanese kitch styles invading the market today.

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  I like this car - 2011 Volvo XC70
  By Albert Sokol - January 13 - 10:06 pm

  It has 70,000 miles on it. Otherwise it is great. It is perfect for sports (kayaking, hiking, skiing, biking). And for family and carrying stuff and it is very peppy. Good in even deep snow.

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  "Perfect If you Need a Headache" - 2008 Volvo C30
  By VolvoC30 grossinger - January 13 - 11:33 am

  This car is perfect/awesome if you need a headache and you have lots of money to spend this is the right car for you, I purchased my car last 2 weeks ago, guess what! For just 1 day of rain, storm and a lil snow huu surprise!, when I open the the door water was all over my seats, take note both driver side and passenger side, so instead of enjoying the car, the mechanics are enjoying it at the dealer trying to find out where the leak is coming from so basically perfect for a car under 30g.