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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  2005 S40 - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Horsefeeder - March 23 - 9:36 pm

  This is definitely a great/cheaper alternative to the A4, if performance is not your thing. The base 2.4 has little zip, but handles very well - except on the highway. The gas tank, though listed at 16 gallons, is actually only 12 due to a poor design which placed a hump in the gas tank to allow for the AWD option. Instead of a 350+/- range, its more like 260, which means more trips to the gas station (thank Ford for that!). Great trunk space, lots of leg-room in the back seat, fold-down back seat provides tons of cargo space for such a small car. If youre used to a 4-cylinder, get the base 2.4, but if youre used to a 6-cylinder, get the T5 or else youll be bored out of your mind!

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  Lemon Volvo - 2005 Volvo S40
  By LF - March 23 - 4:06 am

  I loved my S40...for about 6 months. It has less than 7K miles on it. They couldnt find the leak that flooded the front passenger floor..found it...replaced the windshield..with a (nother) defective windshield. Now this is the 2nd time its in the shop with the Check Engine light illuminated. I traded in my 7 year old Honda Civic that didnt have ONE issue in the entire time I owned it (aside from routine maintenance). I wish I had it back.

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  2.5T XC90 AWD Versatility, Climate - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By john_helen - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I love my truck. I have used it to haul 7 passengers and I have used ith with everything but the drivers seat flat to move cargo. Driving the XC90 inpsires confidence. The SUV feels nailed to the road and does not suffer from the tippy feeling of other SUVs. It also doesnt feel as big as it acutally is. Very easy to handle. The safety features were a huge selling point as this is primarily a family hauler. But it also was just plain fun for Dad to drive. More character then the MDX and mouch more value for your dollar then the Lexus GX. The X5 is more of a drivers car, but offered none of the versatility of the XC90.

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  My 5th Volvo Wagon, My Last. - 2010 Volvo XC70
  By Endicott - March 16 - 2:23 pm

  Ive been a follower of Edmunds for many years, read many reviews, have had several higher end cars. Volvo has changed and Id love to talk to their CEO and tell him about the fall from grace. The new 6cyl. engine sounds like a vacuum cleaner and is too loud at cruising. Great seating. The transmission jumps when you are at idle. Several trips to the dealer for software upgrades; the Volvo tech also had it jump forward without applying the gas. My wife has an 08, five cyl. and is much quieter. Gas mileage is terrible- only 21 avg. on highway. This is not the Volvo of the past.

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  bold & strong - 2004 Volvo S60
  By raizin - March 15 - 2:00 am

  car feels strong, very quuiet --low road noise, the backside of the front seats is cut in to allow slightly more leg room in the back, car can be loaded with safety features. I enjoy the "W" (wet drive) function, STC (stability control). Just wish car was standard with all wheel drive.

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  Its a great car!! - 2002 Volvo S80
  By Verysafecar - March 13 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Volvo S80 late last year and I really do love it. It is the safest car I have driven, and so-o-o much better than my old S70. It is wonderful for long trips, although I wish that there was more leg room in the back. I love the dual seat heaters, too, and finally, they put the radio controls on the wheel and vents in the back!! I cant imagine that anyone who buys one would be disappointed

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  Much more than I expected - 2012 Volvo C70
  By maccoroner - March 13 - 8:11 am

  We had originally wanted to get a VW EOS but when we discovered the C70 everything changed. A few days ago we took delivery at the factory in Sweden and put 800+ miles on the car in two days. We commented that at the end of each day we were not tired or stiff like in our previous cars. Yes the controls for the Nav, phone and temp take a little to get used to, but after the first day they were intuitive. We like the smooth power and shifting this car has. Back roads or Autobahn were equally smooth and enjoyable. We bought the U.S. model and will take it back to the states when we go. The navigation system is great. It notified us of trouble and detoured us well before the slow down.

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  Wow - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Rickie - March 12 - 2:00 am

  Just an FYI to everyone with a volvo! I drove my 2005 S40 for 62 miles with the gas light on last night and it did not sputter once!

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  2004 Volvo XC90 Transmission Issues - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By FIOSWA - March 12 - 2:00 am

  I have an 04 Volvo XC90 and had the bad experience of the Transmission Service Urgent light coming on and the vehicle putting itself into "limp mode" to stop further damage. Of all the blogs I read after this happened, most of them had negative outcomes as far as support from Volvo. I had a great experience and wanted to share that Volvo covered 100% of my damages. I am getting a new transmission, new radiator and new lines installed. I called Volvos customer service line. I was assigned a customer care rep that was extremely pleasant and helpful. She worked with the Volvo dealer and I had a response in 2 hours of the 100% coverage including the diagnostic fee. Volvo: 1-800-458-1552

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  love it but mines a lemon - 2005 Volvo S40
  By mbjeanes - March 11 - 8:56 am

  After researching and test driving cars for 4 months, I fell in love with the S40. It drives like a dream, accelerates well,is fun to shift, has a moon roof and premium sound system. Couldnt be happier-- when its not in the shop. Ive owned the car less than 9 weeks and its been in the shop for 24 days. It has less than 18K mi. The climate control sensor blew hot air and was serviced 2x before replacement was backordered; the window regulators on both front windows were replaced; window rail on drivers side replaced; the passenger seat belt was replaced (air bag light came on). Im scheduled to pick it up tomorrow but after 3 wks in a loaner, Im not sure Ill remember how to drive it