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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  almost... - 2002 Volvo S60
  By oldingmar - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Had S70 GLT before. S60 2.4T is an improvement, stiffer body, better transmission, better wheels(mine has tire and wheel option). Used it 10 000 miles in Europe, from Lapland to Mediterrainia. In most situation handled OK but I still found it lacking as far as handling is conserned. Something appears to be missing - just cannot match the feel of the BMW. no it is not the front wheel drive! I like front drivers, but S60 comes up short. To bad, it is otherwise a really nice product. Lets see how it matches the traffic in California - it should be here soon. Probably it will do better in our traffic here just as the S70 did..

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  Stylish and Sporty with Volvo Safety - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By H. Lewis - October 13 - 10:03 am

  Overall, we are ecstatic and would highly recommend the XC90 T6 AWD! Definitely go with the T6 AWD for maximum enjoyment and we have had it for six months and average 20 mpg which I think is outstanding. Ours is black with black leather interior and turns heads everywhere we go (especially from BMW X5 owners(!)). We also opted for xenon headlights, nav system, high end stereo, 3rd row, integrated child booster seat (which has been perfect for our now 6 year old (5 when we bought it)), sunroof, wood steering wheel, etc. Have to make deals with wife to get chance to drive it as it puts ALL other vehicles (except Range Rover) in pickup line at kids private school to shame.

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  conservative good looks - 2004 Volvo S40
  By bpwrightwv - October 11 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my car for only a couple weeks, enjoy it so far. Rides smoothly, handles nice, good zip, conservative exterior good looks have made some turn their heads. Drove over a portion of highway that had been stripped in order to repave, fairly considerable buzzing in the drivers side pillar, though normally it doesnt. Noticed a very slight squeek when coming to stop, not sure if its brakes. I also considered the Acura TSX and also came down to styling, TSX looks too much like an Accord, the dealer wasnt very friendly, nor would they respond to my email queries. The Volvo staff were very friendly, not pushy and were willing to negotiate via email.

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  Company S60 II - 2007 Volvo S60
  By Tom - October 10 - 10:03 am

  My company provided me this S60. If it were my money, I would not buy one. It is a fine highway car with wonderful straight-line acceleration and a comfortable drivers seat. The S60 is not good on curves and in corners -- its weight and vague steering adversely influence the handling and do not inspire confidence. After 29,350 miles, the only problems I have had are a loose passenger side door seal, fixed during an oil change service, and a rattle that I cannot locate by the passenger door frame. Passenger seat is awkwardly oriented and uncomfortable on long trips – seems to place passenger at an angle within the car.

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  Do not buy 2004 2.5T AWD V70 - 2004 Volvo V70
  By csanzo - October 9 - 11:25 am

  This car was my dream car until at 103000 miles the engine simply died. It was in the shop for three months, EEC computer replaced, and another computer replaced and the flywheel was warped and replaced. Even after that - and a $3000 plus repair bill - no one could fix the car!! Any car that is not able to be repaired should never be sold!! DO NOT BUY!

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  Horrible, totally unreliable, prone to failure - 1998 Volvo S70
  By jschwaber - October 9 - 3:22 am

  Steering failed, developed an oil & radiator leak past 100k. ABS/TRACS failed immediately. The door hinges on driver and passenger both failed. One pangs loudly at every catch, the other swings like a household door with no catch. The hydraulics in the trunk have failed completely. Speakers were wired poorly- all flicker on and off (not blown out). The stereo has you change CDs in the *trunk* (of all places) 0-60 time is longer than 11 seconds on the base model, but still gets terrible MPG (21 average for the automatic, even when babying it) Three star safety rating in the 90s, so its not even very safe e-brake broken Good interior storage space, nice leather, good seats

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  better alternatives - 2004 Volvo S60
  By not for me - October 8 - 12:40 pm

  Ive had this car for about 2 and a half years and am looking forward to getting rid of it. I traded in an f 150 for this car because of gas mileage and I still wanted 4wd. Ive spent over 6k in repairs, keeping the truck was a better idea. It looks good on the outside, but with new tires and awd winters are still difficult. Gas mileage is good but too many awkward things. When I turn left it makes an odd noise, but drives fine. The carpet inside has torn in odd places. If I use the cd/cassette player the drivers side speakers dont work. I cant warm my car up without being in it because you cant lock the doors with the other keyless remove with the car running. I wont be buying another

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  Practical/ reliable/fun - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Ron - October 8 - 12:09 pm

  This is a great car gas mileage is fair, with a large tank. Less stopping for fuel on those long trips. Seating is comfortable and well thought out. Interior plastics. Should have been better. 144k on the odometer and just the routine maintenance.

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  Swedish Bombshell - 2005 Volvo S80
  By Jim P. B. - October 5 - 10:00 am

  My S80 T6 is less than a month old and my wife & I very pleased with the performance, comfort and luxury of this automobile. I ordered the Four C chassis, combo climate/warm weather package and the Bi-Xenon lights as we live on the Gulf coast and have to contend with heat and fog. We took the car on a cross country trip to the mid west and the Four-C was awesome in the hills of Kentucky and the heated seats came in handy during a cold snap in Michigan. I did have 2 small problems that were immediately corrected by the dealer: mis aligned headlamps and a bad fuel pump sensor that caused the check engine light to pop on. Volvo seems to have gotten the kinks out of this model. Super Safe!

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  Good bang for the buck - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Joe3435 - October 5 - 10:00 am

  Smooth ride at a reasonable price. My first luxury car and it does me well. Lots of features for the price. I love the styling!!!! Go test drive one.