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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  sweet ride, but expensive to maintain - 1998 Volvo V70
  By MarkyD - February 4 - 7:50 pm

  Bought 4-yrs old and have owned for 4 years. The good: great performance, very comfortable, safe. Holds a lot of cargo, but is really a 4-seater, not 5. With two car seats in the back, only a child can squeeze between them. The bad: parts are very expensive and it is prone to electrical problems. Weve replaced the stereo and power window switches, but both problems recurred within 6 months. Also had to replace ABS computer which cost $440 just for the part, plus labor. Now the power locks are on the fritz. Never had a breakdown or failed to start, just annoying/expensive repairs. Overall, a good car, but we are trading in on a Honda Odessey soon, which is a better bang for the buck.

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  Great car...Terrible brakes - 2006 Volvo V50
  By Lucy - February 2 - 7:46 pm

  I dont know if it is just me, but I am dissapointed with Volvo. This is my second wagon in one year, the first was a lemon. The second one has been in the shop three times for new brakes and numerous problems with the air conditioning and electrical system. My suggestion, if you want a wagon with no hassle, dont go with a Volvo.

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  I wish I knew then what I know now - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Clint Mooney - February 1 - 10:00 am

  I love the look and feel of my Volvo S80 T6, unfortunantly the reliability is sub standard. Since the purchase of my car one year ago I have been in the shop at least 9 times within one year. When I asked the dealership why they told me that the 99 was the new platform for the S80 and I basically took part in the reasearch and development end of fixing that line. Unfortunantly I ended up paying with time and money for countless repairs and rentals.

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  Fantastic Car for the money - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Brett Bedell - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Great car for the money. In my opinion a better car than the S60. More modern, just as much room, and a much better stereo than the S60.

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  Back for Seconds - 2009 Volvo XC90
  By Second Timer - January 25 - 7:03 pm

  We just bought our second XC90 after having owned an 06 since Jan 06. We had such a positive experience and now, with the unbelievable new warranty (five years 60K miles, including all routine maintenance plus wear & tear items) buying another one was a no brainer. Its safe, functional and fun to drive. Only complaints. Lousy gas mileage and third row seats are not great for anyone older than ten.

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  Poor MPG - 2007 Volvo XC70
  By MF Stack - January 21 - 9:10 pm

  This is my second Volvo XC70 after the 2004. The 2007 model is on the same chassis, same engine but the miles per gallon are poor. I get less than 14 MPG in the city and about 19 MPG on the highway. I use premium gasoline and my driving pattern is the same as with the 2004 which got at least 22 on the highway and 17MPG in the city. The dealer has tried a few minor tweaks but wont really look into the problem and does not care. I think I bought a lemon as far as gas mileage is concerned. Other features on the wagon are good to great but with gas prices so high, this is not a car to own.

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  T6 - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Jessica Dreicer - January 18 - 11:37 pm

  Love it!

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  Owned mine for 8 years - 2002 Volvo S60
  By johnc8551 - January 15 - 6:39 pm

  I bought my 2002 S60 used with 21K miles on it in 2004. It now has 110,000 miles on the odo, and Ive passed it along to my stepdaughter as her college car. I get it serviced regularly and it has not been overly expensive to maintain through my local Firestone service center. Its been an overall dependable car with only a few age related failures, such as alternator, water pump, strut mounts, etc. Nothing too big at all. The one gremlin this car has, and it seems to be rather common with this series, is that it eats tail light and headlight bulbs on a regular basis. However, these are easy to replace by the owner, and I now keep spares stashed with the spare tire in the trunk.

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  S70 Great Car - 1998 Volvo S70
  By MSD - January 13 - 10:00 am

  Volvos S70 has provided me with excellent service. Maintaining the car according to mfrs suggestions will result in many trouble free miles of driving. The only negative was the frequency of bulbs burning out. Volvo corrected the problem but only after a couple of years of complaints. Everthing else has been trouble free. Great highway car.

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  Great Family/Fun Car - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By pblax8 - January 12 - 10:40 pm

  Ive owned volvos most of my life and this is by far the most stylish inside and out. The handling and engine responsiveness are outstanding for a 4200lb vehicle and far better than the BMW X3 or Mercedes GLK which I also considered purchasing. I have 4 kids and wanted the safest car possible w/o buying a tank. Volvo claims its the safest car theyve made, that says a lot by itself as Volvos are known as very safe cars.