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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  Surprised!! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By UncleBarry - August 8 - 2:00 am

  A travel compass would be a great addition. The gas mileage is advertised on the window sticker as 18 to 24. I get 11 to 13 in the street and when I travel to see me daughter in school 5 hours away, I get 17 to 19 if Im lucky. The first two months of ownership and the passenger winshield wiper fell off, the headlight washer cover fell off, the cruise control didnt work, and both key chains fell apart and had to be replaced. I still love the car. The salesmanager was obnoxious and rude, and a real smartass. I only bought it there because my salesman ( who Ive dealt with many times is a pleasure).

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  Good But Not Great - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Rogeru - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Parts keep falling off. Door belt moldings replaced 3 times on all doors. Rug hooks keep pulling out. Driver seat side trim piece keeps falling off. Comfortable ride, handles well, loads of headroom, Im 64". Almost a great car but not quite.

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  2005 V70R is junk!!! - 2005 Volvo V70
  By mike_c70 - August 7 - 8:23 pm

  I picked up this 05 V70R after lemoning my 2004 S60R. Upon delivery of the vehicle, within 1/2 mile leaving the dealership, the car made this awful clunking and squeaking noise in the front suspension. I drove back to the dealer and they inspected it. They said that one of the springs in the front suspension came out of its seat. Furthermore, headlights were pointed straight down making them useless for night driving. Went back the next day to get the headlights re-aimed, said it was done. Guess what? Still pointing straight down. Furthermore, the clunking and squeaking in the front suspension came back. The car has been to the service dept in 2 of the 3 days of ownership. Do not buy a Volvo

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  A lot of car for the money - 2005 Volvo S40
  By KateM - July 22 - 10:20 am

  We bought our Volvo S40 T5 FWD new back in October 2004 have had very good luck with it. The 218 HP turbo engine is phenomenal. If youre seeking an adrenaline rush every time you hit the gas pedal, go for the T5 versus the ho-hum 2.4i. Handling is tight with almost no body lean. Highway ramps are a blast. Steering feedback is just right. However, even with TLC, the leather has not worn well at all. The seats are thinner and harder than those in the older S40 model. There is virtually no way to add an iPod adapter, and the ride is harsh. I agree with another owners post that the heated seats do not get warm enough. In my particular S40s case, maintenance has not been an issue

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  Baby on the way- - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By David S. / Engineer - July 22 - 10:00 am

  I traded in my Mercedes CKL430 Convertible for this volvo SUV so I am not blinded by new car smell. So far I like the car. But it does has a few interior set backs. Not enough leg room for driver and the flip up wood cover for cup holder has no real locking mechanism so it just pops up. This happens most frequently when car is parked in the sun. Im guessing the plastic clip that holds it in place warms up and lets the lid release. (Bad Design) I will be requesting service to look at this when the car goes in for the first service. Speaking of service, so far Volvo is on par with Mercedes when it comes to taking the extra step for customer satisfaction.

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  Definately not a lemon! - 2000 Volvo S40
  By volvomama - July 19 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my S40 since it was brand new 3years now. True I have replaced my headlights,break pads and have had some oil leaks, but all was covered under warranty. Prior to my Volvo I drove and loved my BMW, but I had to downsize,yet wanted to have a car with a nice reputation and I think pricewise,the S40 was the right choice. Overall, I like my little Volvo,its quick and peppy and when its clean and waxed it looks rather nice. With a new baby (three kids total), I will admit its rather tight in the back. Two more years to pay off and I will consider the new SUV by VOLVO. Have some faith!

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  2003 Volvo XC - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By budrichard - July 19 - 2:00 am

  While the 700 charachter limitation is quite restrictive, suffice it to say that for an off road user wanting a low profile(kayak loading) safety and handling as well as Opera use, the XC is for us. We own two. Certainly our Jeep is more off road capable but it sits.

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  Look Elsewhere - 2003 Volvo S60
  By Mr Disappointed - July 19 - 2:00 am

  I was heart broken upon my purchase of this car. I have had a slew of things go wrong with this car. They all revolve around the electrical and range from loosing power to the sunroof, to the thorn in my heel, the surging at stop lights and when im in drive and on the brake. This car rides like a dream when its moving, but the customer service coupled with a problem that has been ongoing for over a year have made my experience a bitter one at best. My advice to all is to save your money and invest it wisely, the maintenace costs with this car will kill you! Im talking $650 for a 30k service!! Thats ridiculous.

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  T5has been great so far - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By TClarke - July 18 - 5:26 am

  Our three month old 2005 S80 was destroyed in a multi-car accident,with us taking five seperate impacts! 2 guardrails, 3 other vehicles. Confirmed to us the Boron steel safety etc. Replaced it with a new 05 XC90, 5 turbo. The vehicle has been great so far. 61,000 miles, and just replaced the Michelin tires. Right rear wheel bearing went out at the same time. Struts are about ready to go. I drive it hard daily @ 20,000 miles year. Fuel usage has been good for this type of SUV. My high was 24.1 mpg highway. Normal city 19 mpg. If you are not towing a heavy boat/other, this would be the engine to have, however they do not offer it this year. I would buy one again.

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  My Volvos affair with my mechanic - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Vicki Laidlaw - July 18 - 4:06 am

  After putting more than 275000 miles on my 92 Pontiac Bonneville (with no need for engine work - just liked to have brakes and tires), I decided it was time to retire the old workhorse and buy a little luxury. I bought my Volvo S80 at a used car dealership, where I noticed that the warning light for the airbag was on. The dealer said the Volvo mechanics could reset that sensor - apparently not! Turns out that Volvo put the airbag SENSOR under the drivers seat carpet. The used car dealer STEAMED that carpet, thus ruining a $1000 sensor. My cars now in the shop for the second time in three months. Volvo engineers ought to be taken out and shot for what theyve done to this car!