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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  Great family car w/ some flaws - 2006 Volvo S80
  By mally - April 6 - 10:00 am

  Car is excllent on the highway and is very comfortable for the front two occupants. Rear can get tight w/ car seat. minimal rode noise. Cup holder design horrible. located near some very sensitive electrical mechanisms. Car stuck in park intermittently regardless of multiple trips to the dealer. seems to be a recurrent problem volvo wont fix. have had three volvos and this might be my last due to this recurrent problem

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  Good Car - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Jackchez - April 6 - 10:00 am

  We have the 2.5L turbo. It has been very good with only minor repairs. Tires and front brakes at 45000 miles. I dont know why others say tires every 22000 miles. A pleasure to drive and will keep it for another 10 years!

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  Upon further review... - 1996 Volvo 850
  By New Dad - April 4 - 4:20 am

  Originally submitted review of this car after 2 months of ownership. In one year Ive gone thorugh: brakes - 4 rotors, 3 sets of pads and 2 calipers; engine - 2 air mass meters, a set of plugs, wires, rotor, and distributor; gas - approximately the pre-war output of Iraq. When it works, its the greatest car Ive ever owned, but the brakes are a nightmare, and it is just too heavy - killing mileage, brakes, tires, etc.

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  Not an Auspicious Start - 2005 Volvo V50
  By R. Firenze - April 1 - 10:06 am

  Ive always wanted a Volvo turbo wagon. When I came across a left over 05 T5 AWD..I decided to take a chance on a non-Japanese made car. After only 3K Im not sure it was a wise decision. Car developed serious left pull,door hinge squeaked loudly,radio freezes on occasion, hinged door on cargo cover rattles so badly Ive simply removed it, armrest storage lid stuck and was replaced, as was the power steering pump..yep. It does drive nicely.Ample power.Good handling.Great in foul weather even w/17" wheels and stock all-season Pilots.Im averaging 20.2 MPG. After years of driving Japanese cars and dreaming of owing a Volvo I can only hope this doesnt turn out to be a nightmare.

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  starting problem - 2005 Volvo S40
  By barry - March 31 - 8:33 pm

  i have a 2005 s40 s.41 base model with 5 speed. i have 2300 miles on it and it has been back to the shop twice so far. both times it wouldnt start and had to be towed. the 1st time they replaced the starter relay switch. now they say its the battery. anyone else have this problem or know what the problem really is? or do i just have a lemon

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  Transmissions awful! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By T6 VOLVO - March 31 - 9:40 am

  We bought our 2004 xc90 nov. 2007 with 57,000 and it has been a great SUV. Very strong but when the transmission light went on at 87,000 I was not a happy customer. We called the Volvo dealer and they told us to bring it in. They were very helpful and we have a "brand new" transmission at no cost, yet it doesnt have "manual" anymore. a lot of drama but its driving well and I cant complain

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  Great Car - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Evan - March 31 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this car for only 8 months and have added 20k miles to it!! Over all I haven’t had any major problems, just the typical ones with higher mileage cars. This car is kind of pricey to maintain, but I love it.

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  Why the misfire?! - 1998 Volvo S70
  By Danny - March 26 - 11:13 am

  I bought the T5 turbo because its a fast, sturdy and relatively inexpensive car (70k miles for $6900). However, as soon as I floored the gas I discovered it had a misfire problem. I tried fixing the problem myself. I replaced all its Bosch "super" sparkplugs with Denso Iridium, the misfire would not go away. I replaced the rotor and distributor cap, misfire still would not go away. The cursed intermittent misfire in cylinder 5 occurs only when I give it the beans, otherwise it rides very well. The leather seems to be pretty sub-par quality as do the brakes. Be ready to give your S70 some maintenance. Oh and my rear taillight goes out a candle in the wind.

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  Nice little wagon - 2000 Volvo V40
  By ddelise - March 25 - 10:00 am

  This is a nice little wagon. It is kind of small on the inside, especially with a baby car seat. But the car is quick, good looking, and fun to drive. If it were a little bigger, it would be perfect.

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  Beware of Customer Service - 2002 Volvo S60
  By Savvy Driver - March 22 - 10:00 am

  We bought this car new coz we loved the look and reputation of Volvo. However, weve had major customer service problems as well as electrical problems. Also, it is very difficult to see to change lanes due to the head rests in the back and the way the car frame is built.