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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  Nice little car - 2000 Volvo S40
  By Scott Johnson - September 15 - 2:00 am

  So far the car has been everything we have hoped and expected. Design is typical Volvo, safety is better than most cars on the road and the drive is smooth, quiet and luxurious for a mid- size vehicle.

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  Bring on the snow! - 2004 Volvo V70
  By jamm66 - September 15 - 2:00 am

  3rd Volvo, very happy so far. Interior takes a little getting used to, much different than older wagons. Stereo is wonderful, instrumentation plain but perfect, great ergonomic positioning. I have sport seats and highly recommend them, super comfortable, but arent all Volvo seats? Wagon is as versatile as ever, superb room and hauling capacity. 2.5T engine is a torque monster! Big improvement over the 2.4 in every area but fuel economy. GREAT ENGINE! The Haldex system is best in class. Effortless handling of snow and muck here in VT.

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  XC70 Fun to Drive - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By ErinMick11 - September 15 - 2:00 am

  I recently gave in and bought the car that I have always admired from afar....the Volvo XC 70. I can say without a doubt buying this car was the best car-buying decision I have ever made, I could not possibly be any more happier. Volvo thought of everything when they designed this vehicle from safety, comfort, and pure driving pleasure! I will definitely be a Volvo driver for life....

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  DO NOT buy this model... EVER - 2000 Volvo V40
  By Cynthia - September 14 - 5:13 am

  I have had nothing but major headaches with this vehicle ever since the 5 yr/50,000 mi. warranty expired. From O2 sensor problems, faulty engine mounts,transmission replacement at 80,000 mi., several brake pad kits, fuel regulator, battery, constant alignments, gaskets/seals,timing belt. The cupholder broke in first 3 months,as did armrest, front wipers, moonroof and passenger side mirror- I have had to spend more money on this car than I ever did on my Toyota Camry in 15 years of life. Either I got a lemon, or this is the worst car ever designed. Just skip Volvo altogether- Its expensive and not what it used to be

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  LOVE IT! - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By dcardblue - September 14 - 2:20 am

  If you are looking for an SUV that is fun to drive and is tops in safety, you have to get a Volvo XC-90. It is also luxurious, comfortable and I just love mine!

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  Quality Control Doesnt Exist - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By mountaintown - September 12 - 4:20 am

  In the shop multiple times since purchasing. Squeaks and rattles still not fixed. Problems with 3 separate car systems. I feel like Volvo has stolen my money. Avoid until Quality Control improvements documented.

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  Completely Satisfied - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By shulmands131 - September 12 - 3:35 am

  I bought a 2011 (With Sensus) XC60 last month, and so far have been very satisfied. I got the base model with Premium Pkg and Multimedia Pkg. Only problem so far is the center channel speaker in the dash (only in multimedia pkg) rattles a bit at certain volumes/frequencies, but the dealership said theyd see if they can pad it some when I get time to drive over there. This is my 3rd Volvo and I love it!

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  great when there is nothing to fix - 2000 Volvo V70
  By OHguy - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Loved the car while we had it. Bought it in Nov. of 2001 as a repo, car was pre-certified with warranty to 74,000 miles. Just got rid of the car a week ago. Had to replace the throttle body, had shifter lights fixed, fixed a leak in the oil pan, front headlight wiper needed to be fixed, replaced ball joints, pinion seals. A lot was covered by warranty, but spent 2,00+ out of pocket and needed to spend another 700+. Put a good set of Dunlops on the car and they didnt last 15,000 miles, so went back to Michelin tires and no more excessive tire wear

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  Awesome Wagon! - 2004 Volvo V70
  By jumpnup22 - September 9 - 2:00 am

  I was quite surprised with how great this automobile is! I have a Saleen mustang, so I know what some performance is! My wife wanted this car, so we traded the 2002 Toyota Land Cruiser for the V70R. I am overwhelmed with how much fun this car is to drive. It is easy to load, accelerates great, stops even better, and rides like a luxury car. All this, and it gets great gas mileage. I have a feeling this one will be in the family for quite a long time! If you can find one, BUY IT!

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  Needs work but NICE - 2002 Volvo S60
  By beli - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Nice car in many ways but needs a few thigns to make perfect: 1) Has BIG blind spots b/c of saftey features and design.. adjusting seats may help or narrowing support beams. 2) Electronics have always been Volvos weakness.. they should outsource all to Japan ASAP! 3) My S60 needs turbo.. my fault. 4) Maybe a rear wiper.. rear window is almost flat and gets covered easily.