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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  SAFE! - 2006 Volvo S60
  By puttjunk - December 20 - 10:26 pm

  We were bothered by the high repair costs until we were recently rear ended by a car going 45MPH while we were stopped. All worth it after seeing the incredible damage to her car (probably will be totaled) while ours was not only driveable but barely touched (repair costs TBD). The WHIPS system really worked to reduce the feel of the impact and our 2 year old in the back seat didnt even know we were hit. If safety matters, the S60 is an excellent choice. We often joke that we feel like we are driving a tank - but this time were grateful that we were! All the little electronic issues seem worth it now.

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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.

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  Volvo wears out - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Jim - December 19 - 2:23 pm

  I bought mine used at 28,000 and have put only 14,000 on each of the last two years. At 56,000 miles the transmission went and the quote from Volvo was $3,500 to fix. since it was just past the 50,000 mile warranty Volvo offered no assistance and they lowballed the value of the trade-in, even though I was offering to buy a 2006 S80. Based on the unreliability of the car and the atitude of Volvo this was the first and only Volvo my family will be owning.

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  A brand new XC 70 - 2008 Volvo XC70
  By Phil Labelle - December 18 - 8:56 am

  I got the car last week. Since then, it has snowed almost everyday. The car handles well in the snow and is very well balanced. So far so good! I will update this review later.

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  S80 suspension is not so great - 2001 Volvo S80
  By Paul - December 17 - 9:36 am

  The local dealer said they will not get any S80 until 2008 while Volvo does a complete redesign. I hope they improve the suspension to be on a par with the Infinity and Lexus. The S80 styling appeals more to me than these competitors but mine is simply awful when it comes to road bumps and manhole covers.

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  Solid Reliability - 1998 Volvo S70
  By hash50 - December 17 - 3:13 am

  Done 213000 km since I bought it new in 98. Still looks great and runs great. Weak points were A/C condenser and ABS which needed replacement at 5 and 7 years. Original suspension lasted until 160000 km! Apart from general wear and tear this car is exceedingly reliable and not expensive to maintain. Excellent value for money compared the German cars of that time (although they are now including everything for a similar price). Very comfortable for long drives, easy to drive and great turning circle. Will keep it for as long as it runs. Very practical styling typical of old Volvos with no need for contortion to get in and out (like in my Benz C180). Feels heavy but fuel economy is not bad.

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  Volvo curse - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Dianne W - December 15 - 10:00 am

  Weve owned our brand new 2004 S60 2.5T for 10 days and its been at the service dept for more than half of the time weve owned it. The night we drove it home, we noticed a vibration-shimmie which, after 3 attempts, the dealer has been unable to diagnose and repair; they have balanced the tires, changed the tires and the problem has not been resolved after three attempts. Weve put more miles on the loaner cars than our own car, lemon law here we come. We bought a BIG, EXPENSIVE problem; we never expected this to happen with Volvos reputation and the amount of money that we spent, but it did!

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  AWESOME SWEDE - 2004 Volvo S60
  By ODIN - December 15 - 10:00 am

  Ive had the car for about 2 months & Im still impressed. Car has tremendous grip. Turbo boost peaks at low revs giving superb & effortless off the line acceleration. Seems much quicker then specs suggest. Great auto transmission, almost never feel it shifting. Tremendous brakes & AWD, never heard the tires squeal even under emergency conditions. Accelerates 0-60 within .1 sec of the more $ auto T5 & R models & R model REQUIRES changing to winter tires. Had that pain with my last car. Added on a Magellan navigation system. Absolutely awesome. I cant get lost no matter how hard I try. Overall a great everyday car.

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  First Impressions - 2003 Volvo S80
  By Junesteve - December 15 - 10:00 am

  We have purchased our first Volvo and love the car. It is a "solid" ride with plenty of comfort.

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  98 S70 GLT - Great Car - 1998 Volvo S70
  By volvos70 - December 15 - 10:00 am

  Best car Ive ever owned. Still have it and it still looks, smells and drives like new.