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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  Volvo XC90 - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By Roy - May 7 - 3:10 pm

  I recently bought an 2007 Volvo XC90 with the 3.2 6 cylinder motor. I do not like the sluggishness of taking off from a stop sign, light, etc. It seems also to handle like a bus, and not a sport utility vehicle.

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  principal - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By john santamaria - May 3 - 10:15 pm

  There are many question that "still" am not able to answer (you do authomaticaly).

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  Awesome Little Car! - 2007 Volvo S40
  By 4 Time Volvoer - April 29 - 12:33 am

  We have owned 3 volvos in the past year, 2 s40s and 1 xc90, all purchased new. The s40 is an amazing vehicle, it is comfortable, safe and has to be the nicest looking compact sedan on the market. Only complaint is the power, mine was a 5 speed manual, and I had plenty of power, however my wife still has her automatic and something gets lost with the same engine mated to the auto, even with the manual mode. I really have no idea what Volvo is thinking in phasing out the manuals from their V50 and S40 lines, what a stupid move. Other than that, we have high regard for all of our Volvos. Dont believe the new EPA ratings, this car gets 26mpg city and 34 hwy. be safe, buy a Volvo!

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  Shock and Awe. - 2001 Volvo V70
  By skipb - April 27 - 9:30 pm

  This car has ruined our brand loyalty to Volvo (having previously owned and been very happy with an 84 DL wagon, an 84 GL sedan, an 88 740 wagon, a 93 850 sedan, and a 97 850R sedan), and as a result we probably will not be buying another. We have already spent well over 5K replacing items that should never need replacing (the radiator, 4 or 5 control modules, etc.), and now we are facing a 5K transmission replacement at 94K miles. The dealer is sympatheic, as is Volvo of America, but is otherwise totally unresponsive. Its a shame, but its time for us to explore another brand.

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  960 it is better than i thought - 1997 Volvo 960
  By Tusker - April 25 - 2:00 am

  I love this car , would like to keep it if i lived in California . Not too good for snow , i might have to give it away... But it has been very good excellent ride and performance.

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  Mixed Bag - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Captclam - April 21 - 2:00 am

  This car is an engineering marvel as far as the fit, finish and drive are concerned. Before buying ensure there are no oil leaks a the oil return line is often trouble. The part online is $90 ($120 at dealer), and an easy do it yourself. The traction control module is notorously flaky. Test by slamming on breaks and then gas on gravel or sand before buying. If the TRACS or ABS lights come on, run. Part alone is $800, though you can trade your old one in online and get a rebuilt one for about $150 (see www.swedespeed.com forum). Check out Internet Volvo forums before heading in for repair as many high $ repairs are actually a $40 sensor gone bad.

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  No resale value!! - 1998 Volvo S70
  By DaveM - April 19 - 2:00 am

  Besides the umpteen problems with the turn signals and burned out headlights (and door panels and serpentine belts and tires), weve loved this car. But the ABS sensor light is on ($1600), the A/C is out (AGAIN - $2100), and its time to return to a Toyota. Unfortunately, it is worth only $6000 trade in...absolutely ridiculous. Volvo, youre way overrated.

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  So Far, So Good - 2003 Volvo S60
  By RegularGuy - April 14 - 10:00 am

  Bought this to replace my S40 (which was very poorly designed and built). Swore I would never buy another Volvo.. but at under $20,000 took the chance. Solid build quality, good ride, and nice quiet cabin. Even the base model is nicely equipped. Fun to drive (more power might be nice).. and comfortable (I am not a small guy).

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  Great Alternative to others... - 2008 Volvo V50
  By londonwolfe - April 13 - 4:14 am

  When I was shopping a year ago for a nice small wagon commuter car, I looked at many options, VW Jetta TDI, Subaru, Audi A3 and A4. The reviews on this little car swayed my decision to test drive. Owned it a year now and 20k miles later, no disappointments. All cars have quirks, this car has been pleasant. I have had many cars in the past 5 BMWs, 12 VWs and 7 Porsches. I am a car enthusiast, this car has enough character to make it stand out.

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  Great car, crappy interior. - 1999 Volvo V70
  By Matthew - April 13 - 2:38 am

  This is my first Volvo. It drives and handles great. I bought with lots of maintenance recently completed including; timing chain, cam seals, head gasket, hoses and a few other things. I put new tires with a new alignment. I also installed a better stereo and reverse cam so I can see when my dogs are in the back. The only negative is that the seats are worn. I have looked at many in the 98-02 range and it seems the leather seats dont hold up well, but are comfortable. The center consol is cheaply made and moves around. Other than that the car is solid. I really enjoy driving the car and would like it to last me a few years before I get a newer used Volvo. I really love this car!