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:

• 

  Nice Ride - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By VolvoDriver - September 9 - 1:06 am

  Enjoy every bit of this car. Handles better than the 2003 S60 we owned prior to this purchase.

• 

  A Sporty Volvo - 2006 Volvo S40
  By Steven - September 7 - 6:00 pm

  We love this car! It is our first Volvo so cant compare with previous models but compared to other cars Ive owned this is the best. Handles like a sports car, lots of power and really cool interior.

• 

  Electric network broke after 3 days - 2010 Volvo XC70
  By MM - September 7 - 5:36 pm

  Four days ago, I bought a new xc70. Was very happy and impressed by the look of the car & interior comfort. Yesterday, a brake failure signal start blinking & asked me to stop. I stopped & put the car in park & turned it off. Anyway, a big mess. The dealer service could not fix it the next day & gave me a loaner & stating it will take a week or more to find the problem. It is hard to digest this. Anyway, I hope they fix the car soon, although I do not know how I can be sure that the problem is fixed.

• 

  Great Value - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Mr Oswald - September 7 - 10:00 am

  Excellent value, bought privately two years ago, holding value very well....some dealers can really hose you, had real RIP-OFF experience with one, absolutely excellent with another. Any problems are well known, easily fixed, and non-recurring, Eg: ABS/TRACs light on is simple $45 electrical ignition switch fix, air pump should be $200 fix IF dealer replaces air check valve. Basic parts are available over internet from ipd and others at 30- 60% off of Volvo Dealer prices. Currently 120K miles, feels strong and smooth.

• 

  Love my S40 - 2001 Volvo S40
  By AllisonM - September 7 - 10:00 am

  I think this is a great, fun car. I have always wanted to own a Volvo and thought Id never be able to afford anything better than an used 40. When I learned that they had introduced a sub-30K product, I ran to the dealership and dumped my 3-year old Subaru Outback.

• 

  Have NOT Experienced Any Negatives - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Jack - September 6 - 4:23 am

  My wife and I ordered our XC-90 through a local dealership then went over to Sweden to test drive it for a week. Volvo shipped it back for us 10 days later. The vehicle has been perfect for the past 6 years. I am however, quite concerned with all the negative reviews here. Of all the vehicles Ive owned throughout my life, I must admit that this XC-90 beats them all by far.

• 

  Steady performer - 2006 Volvo S40
  By bonzo23 - September 5 - 11:03 pm

  I got this S40 as a company car in 06 and liked it so much that when it went off lease I purchased it for personal use. Even with the normally aspired 5 cylinder it has great pickup. The road handing is head and shoulders above Camry, Sable, and Impalas that I have had for company cars. There is a nice road feel with responsive steering yet a not unacceptable ride or noise. After correcting an A/c blower motor that was faulty on delivery, it has been problem free. Now with 4 years and 64K miles, It has been to the shop for A/C compressor replacement and twice for electrical diagnostics which found not problems despite the high $ diagnostics.

• 

  Two years and still a winner - 2008 Volvo XC70
  By BEST WAGON - September 5 - 3:33 am

  Bought the XC70 in June of 08. Has not had one problem. Only been in for regular maintenance. I drive highway miles to work and average 28 mpg. Would buy the car again.

• 

  Nice Upgrade From 740 Wagon - 1997 Volvo 960
  By vlvwgn - September 4 - 10:00 am

  I have had a 740 Wagon for over eight years and put 110,000 miles on it after buying it with 50,000 miles. When I needed to look for another wagon in early 2004, the 960 wagon I found was the perfect car. Although the 1997 960 has 125,000 miles, its engine is very smooth and powerful and the luxury ammenities are a big step up from the 740. This car still has another 75,000 - 100,000 miles left on it. I think the late 90s Volvos get a bad rap for quality, but in the end, they just keep working. Great family car at a great price!

• 

  Overseas delivery - 2004 Volvo S60
  By CWLars - September 4 - 10:00 am

  Picked the car up in Gothenberg 19 Jone 03 and begain driving around Sweeden. The car replaced a 94 Buick Regal SS and took a bit of getting use to. The cars breaks were shockingly good when a deer darted in front of an on comming car and then mine. And the handeling was surperb when a Semi wandered into my lane while rounding a blind curv. The Regal would have been in a shop. The S60 T2.5 AWD was on its way to be loaded onto a ship for its trip home.