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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  Decent Car - 2001 Volvo V70
  By volvo customer - November 9 - 10:00 am

  Find the cost of service to be slightly on the high side. However, service dept is #1

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  S-60 AWD give it a look - 2003 Volvo S60
  By pictel_fc - November 9 - 10:00 am

  I tested the Audi A4, Acura TL,BMW 325, all good cars, but I found the Volvo to be the best all around. Although I only have 1k miles on the car, I am very pleased with my decision. Plenty of pick-up, very comfortable seats, well thought out interior, decent ride,handling,and braking. In my opinion one of the better looking exterior designs in its class. I would definately recommend. With the $4,500 "rebate", youd be hard pressed to find a better bang for the buck.

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  Try it and you will buy it !! - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By CT Driver - November 9 - 3:36 am

  I was in a automobile accident and got a settlement that allowed me to get anything I wanted, For the first and last time in my life,price really wasnt an obstacle. I wanted a comfortable vehicle that had easy entry and exit and one that I felt safe in . The Mercedes E-class was "underwhelming",not nearly worth the money (I had owned a 1962 220 SB that felt like it was carved from a ingot of iron,new one, no way).The Audi Q5 was real nice,but the MMI controls and requirement for high test gas were a turn off.Cadillac,Lincoln,Lexus(salesman wouldnt even come over),Ditto for Infiniti. Plus they just didnt feel right.Test drove the XC60 and -wow. I had found my car.

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  The best ever - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Raviv - November 7 - 5:30 am

  I owned 4 different volvos. the S40, then 2 different S60 and now the XC90. The best of them all. A superb SUV... So far I could not find a single bad thing with this car. Had it serviced 3 times so far (12K service intervals), and there was nothing wrong was found. At 23K miles, I replaced front brakes which is not bad at all... I SIMPLY LOVE IT. Fuel is better that expected and I get around 18 MPG. The design of the car is stunning, nice lines, the internal is simply perfect, the external (see my suggestions).

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  I love my Volvo! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By FLRich - November 6 - 4:10 pm

  After driving Acuras for years, this is my first Volvo. Although I love Acuras and their reliability, the Acura MDX is just ugly! I love the way the Volvo looks, handles, rides, and the gas mileage is great for a SUV. So far the reliability has been up to par with my Acuras. I love my Volvo. I wouldnt hesitate to buy another one.

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  Last Volvo Ever - 2007 Volvo S60
  By Dennis - November 6 - 3:33 pm

  The gas filler cap leaked on the car since the first full tank of gas.Service simply stated that they could not duplicate the problem so that is where we stand. Seat belt locks, so it is sometimes impossible to lean forward to see oncoming traffic. The overall quality and value leave a lot to be desired. I wish I would have kept my Infiniti, it would have been seven years old now but it was a much better car.

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  Odd, but comfortable - 2000 Volvo S70
  By techie - November 6 - 12:06 am

  We bought this car for the safety and the incredibly comfortable seats, but we wouldnt buy another one. It has odd quirks, like the junky cupholders in the front and the lack of any trunk light, that are annoying for a car at this price level. The dangerous trouble with the jerky electronic throttle (ETS) really scared us, especially when we got the bill for the repair. Fortunately, Volvo did the right thing and reimbursed us for the repair and, at least at first, warrantied it for life. However the class action suit for this problem seems to indicate a shorter warranty. Its now a recall, so get it fixed before it stops working altogether.

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  Great but flawed reliability - 2006 Volvo V50
  By Volblow - November 3 - 2:03 pm

  When this car works or isnt being repaired, it is delightful. I love the Scandinavian style, but hate the quality.

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  Paint it yellow and call it a lemon - 1999 Volvo S80
  By jzeltvay - November 3 - 10:40 am

  I was so excited when I first purchased my new Volvo. Even though it was a bit pricey, I was looking forward to getting 300,000 miles out of it. My first clue should have been when a position light message came on when I was driving it home from the dealer my first day. I have had multiple problems since that day. Under warranty the rings had to be replaced with <20,000 miles on it. I have spent thousands of $$ to try to figure out why my check engine light stays on. Over $4000 to have it fixed and 50 miles later the light came on again. Now my emissions light keeps coming on. 3 oxygen sensors later, it still comes on. Plan to put it in gear, run it off the mountain and collect the ins.

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  Best of the Best - 2004 Volvo S60
  By S. Agnihotri - November 3 - 10:00 am

  Superb power, superb style, head turner, fantastic road grip, excellent inner settings, luxury at par, great power, great in turns specialy on mountains and no regrets at all from changing Benz CLK 230 for VOLVO S60 R. Highly recommended.... If any one has idea of accessories for S60R then please email me..