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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  this car is amazing - 2003 Volvo S80
  By chris staff - November 14 - 2:00 am

  the car is fast and it has great exseleration and has beutiful handling and stearing is very smooth

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  Great Car - 2003 Volvo S60
  By ROYBOY - November 14 - 2:00 am

  This car is well designed thoughout the handling, comfort and style. It grabs the road so well I cant imagine needing the AWD feature. We drove from San Diego to Las Vegas in the rain and it drove like a dream. The cabin noise level is great. This is our second Volvo and the not the last.

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  BEST VALUE - 2003 Volvo S60
  By TV - November 14 - 2:00 am

  WHEN CONSIDERING OTHERS IN THE PRICE RANGE, THE VOLVO WAS THE WAY TO GO. EVERYTHING I NEEDED. FWD TRACTION CONTROL AND VOLVOS WINTER DRIVE MODE DOES INCREDIBLE IN THE SNOW. GOOD TORQUE AND PLENTY OF SPEED. WHO NEEDS A POWERHOUSE? SIMPLE PRATICAL, STOP BUYING THE STATUS SYMBOLS! THINK. VERY RELIABLE

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  Great Car - 2006 Volvo V70
  By Steve - November 13 - 12:50 pm

  Ive had many Volvos and this is by far my favorite. It has all that you would expect from a Volvo wagon, plus its fun to drive.

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  All Purpose Fun Vehicle - 2007 Volvo V70
  By Moi - November 12 - 10:06 pm

  Great on the open road and mileage has been great city 25 highway 31 MPG. Handles better than my prior bmw even though it is a station wagon. Great for long trips and needing extra space. Too bad the 2008s are being redesigned and dont hold up against the 2007 V70

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  Love this car - 2006 Volvo V70
  By VolvoR - November 12 - 3:16 pm

  Add BSR softloader, IPD sway bars and springs, aftercat and for about 2500 you have totally different "anymal", capable taking on M3, SRT8...

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  Pleased - 2009 Volvo S80
  By szmagsr - November 11 - 2:00 pm

  Own a 2003 BMW 5 and although I loved the look and price of the S80 I was concerned with how I would enjoy the drive. Ive only had it for two weeks, but were getting to know each other and I like it better every day.

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  Still Happy... but have had problems - 2000 Volvo S40
  By HoustonS40 - November 11 - 2:36 am

  I bought the car in April of 2002 with 24K and have kept a log and records back to when it rolled of the lot new: 13,001 Miles replaced center caps on wheels; brake warning light on; 14,859 Check Engine light on; Headlight burned out; 20,258 Check engine light on; engine sluggish; brake pads replaced; 24,833 Check engine light on; center caps missing; engine mounts replaced; 24,920 Check engine light on; 25,279 PNP switch replaced; 27,231 replaced vac pump relay; 35,140 left and right front strut bearings replaced; 36,390 Battery replaced; 38,052 New Brake Pads; 42,931 shock absorber/strut replaced; 44,534 vacuum pump; 48,825 coolant sensor & turbo oil return line leaking.

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  Not Ready for Prime Time! - 2007 Volvo C70
  By Missb - November 10 - 5:56 am

  My 6 month old C70 has been in the shop twice because of roof rattles, roof still rattles. Volvo just sent out a "Campaign Notice", recall? Another trip to the dealer! After a minor fender bender, repairs took 2 months, primarily due to parts being on "national backorder". One came in a mislabeled carton, it took an additional week until the right part came from Sweden. A week later, the roof and trunk stuck half way open necessitating an emergency tow and more shop time! Apparently few techs are trained to work on the C70. Volvo is not supporting this car with parts inventory/tech training. Some customer service reps were surprisingly rude. Not what youd expect from Volvo, a disappointment.

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  Highest Maintenance Car Ive Ever Had - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Carndog - November 9 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car 1 year ago with 47k miles on it. I have replaced 1 headlight, 4 tail lights, and 1 side turn light. The side light fell out of its socket, bizarre. I learned how to reset the service light because it comes on so often for no reason. Zero AM reception. Replaced a center speaker cover that fell apart. Jiffy lube refuses to change my oil so I have to go to the dealer. Last week a metal piece to my sunroof fell and hit my wife on the head. A plastic piece below the bumper fell off and Im afraid to ask how much. The glove compartment squeaks. Other than that it drives nice and feels luxurious.