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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  Not at bad car at all - 2006 Volvo S60
  By cobradriver - February 16 - 3:23 pm

  This is my first Volvo and was purchased as a second vehicle to my 2006 BMW 530. I am pleased with all of the safety features of this car although stability control is an option unless you purchase the T5 or R variant. Volvo has come a long way from the traditional "box" styling and is easy on the eyes. Financing/leasing deals are very attractive right now on the S60...more so than any other car that Volvo is selling currently. This is a lot of bang for the buck for what you get. The turning radius could be a lot better and the radio could use a little attention but all in all this is a very competent, safe, and in a Volvo kind of way a satisfying car to drive...Coming from a BMW loyalyist

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  Is this really a Volvo? - 2000 Volvo S40
  By sportsguy - February 8 - 10:00 am

  Other Volvos Ive owned have been solid cars. Ive been disappointed with the S40. Its noisy on the highway, too small and not solid. It seems a little cheap. The turbo provides a nice boost entering traffic or the highway.

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  Not too pleased with my S60 2.4T - 2003 Volvo S60
  By mikey1atl - February 2 - 10:00 am

  I have been to the dealer several times about the following issues. 1. Transmission jerks when shifting between lower gears. Your head jerks against the headrests at slower speeds, like between stop lights. Also, hesitates off the line 2. When the a/c compressor kicks in it makes a rattling sound that is loud enough to be heard over talk radio! 3. Creaking sounds in the cabin. 4. Steering off center, have to hold it at start. All repeated problems over my 5800 miles.

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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.

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  test driver - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Mhotopp - January 8 - 10:00 am

  My wife wants a volvo wagon, so Ive been testing them for two weeks. Leather separates from door panels, bulbs burn out, suspension and brakes wear fast, check engine warnings are common. She wants it, its our 10th anniversary,and I cant buy it. Sucks~!

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  test driver - 1998 Volvo V70
  By mhotopp - January 8 - 10:00 am

  My wife wants a volvo wagon, so Ive been testing them for two weeks. Leather separates from door panels, bulbs burn out, suspension and brakes wear fast, check engine warnings are common. She wants it, its our 10th anniversary,and I cant buy it. Sucks~!

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  never again - 2000 Volvo V70
  By never again - January 7 - 4:33 am

  We moved to Maine and thought we should have a volvo, Well, since weve owned it I have been stranded twice in BELGRADE LAKES, Maine- essentially in the middle of nowhere. Weve had electrical problems, too many tires replaced and lots of little things- the seat adjustment mechanism broke off, the in-dash lighter fell into the center console (so no MP3 hook up for me!), the lights from the radio have gone out and the cup holder broke. So annoying for the money we shelled out. Will never drive a Volvo again. Not worth the price tag.

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  Pretty but full of problems - 2013 Volvo XC60
  By weseaunhappy - December 31 - 2:15 pm

  Second XC-60 (should have learned lesson on the first one). Less than 2 months old and been to shop 5 times already. Last car should have been officially labeled lemon. This one, not quite as serious, but nonetheless time consuming for me. No compensation from Volvo for all my time and gas spent going to shop over and over and over. Even complaints to corporate Volvo get nowhere - they just repeat the misinformation the service dept spreads. How many times do you have to take a car in for the same problem? Anyway, I will never buy another Volvo. Too bad, it was pretty and fun to drive. Just wish the problems didnt persist.

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  Back to Honda for Me - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Tina - December 27 - 9:13 am

  After years of owning Hondas we decided to try something new and purchased the XC90. I have been into the service department more times for our Volvo in two years than we were for our last 3 Hondas combined over 10 years. And for little annoyances -- jiggly window, leaky sunroof, bad insulation in one door, faulty vent doors in heating/cooling system, power steering problems, to name a few. The multitude of little problems has made us wonder what bigger problems we might face in the next year or two.

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  First Volvo. Will be last Volvo. - 2008 Volvo C70
  By clt - December 20 - 12:06 pm

  Seems to be one repair after the other. First was a top malfunction. Then speaker, trunk and suspension rattles which were not repaired first time and still have speaker noise. Now, problem with low beam lights so cannot drive at night. Feel like we got a lemon. At Volvo more than in home garage. Traded 1995 vehicle with no problems, for a Volvo with too many repairs needed, especially for the price paid. At this point I am afraid to travel to far from home in it. Have already started looking for another make to replace the c70 after this repair is completed. Sad thing is that I love the look and convertible, but, its just not up to the "old" Volvo reputation.