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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  The SUV to Drive - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By MLB2003 - August 26 - 2:00 am

  After much anticipation I finally test drove this vehicle and have already put my order in. The drive is smooth and quiet and the interior is so luxurious. It has great handling and there is room for me to put groceries in the back with the 3rd row seat in. The safety features alone really impressed me and I LOVE the booster seat that comes with the versatility package. Now I can hand my son his juicy juice with ease. Weve always wanted an SUV and now we are so glad we waited. This is undeniable the car for our family.

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  Great Car - 2002 Volvo S80
  By david - August 25 - 11:20 am

  I love my Volvo. This car runs like a dream and I got it at a steal of a price from the folks at Crown Volvo in Chapel Hill NC. The Edmunds value of the car I purchased was over $24000 as a certified pre-owned and they sold it to me for $19000.

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  Fun to Drive - 2011 Volvo C30
  By Florida Driver - August 24 - 5:03 pm

  This car made this 40+ old man feel like a teenager. It has all the fun of a kids-car without being a kids car.

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  Smooth Ride/ Front End Electric Problems - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Dvoice - August 24 - 10:00 am

  Car Drives exceptional, only had car less than 30 days, purchased used, taken in for repair at least 5 times; for light bulb outage, faulty alarm, gas tank door; CV joints, bolts on front suspension, wind shield wipers; best advise, purchase extended warranty! Volvos are great safe cars but the 2000 S80 has many electric and front end problems, in addition to console and sun roof rattling, also Poor AM reception, but overall sound system is superb!I would purchase another Volvo but not without a warranty

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  Overall Satisfied with Purchase - 2005 Volvo S40
  By radubu - August 24 - 10:00 am

  Purchased the most basic car available, which offers quite a bit of value for the price. Using the car in the city for commuting purposes. The manual transmission is smooth, like the small/compact size. Purchased the car due to its high safety rankings -- trying to protect myself from the Monster trucks that most Americans prefer today. Overall happy, however, not satisfied with the gas consumption, which is a little on the high side for a manual.

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  How Swede it is - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By SoCalVolvoowner - August 24 - 10:00 am

  In car-crazy Southern California, this stands out from all the rest. Color (a green metallic that I did not think Id like and actually love) wheels, and overall style all catch the eye of my freeway companions. Its pretty zippy, although for really fast get-up-and-go I wish Id sprung for the T6, but I dont eat as much gas in the T5 and its quick enough for most of my driving.

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  Crumb Cake - 2000 Volvo S40
  By Barely Satisfied RI - August 24 - 3:33 am

  My wife wanted it for "safey," but she quickly was sorry we bought it. Of course, I ended up with it. Many problems with electrical systems during the first two years. The interior is smallish in the front. I would never think of sitting in back...my two kids in car seats barely fit back there. The dash design is poor--the cup holder hangs in front of CD player so you cant change disks without risking a major spill. As another reviewer noted, the cup holder is a junky design, and the hardware doesnt work properly. Same goes for rear holder. Ashtray poorly placed--hits gear shift when taking it out, so you have to put into gear to empty trash. Pain chips easy. Rubber door trim is disaster

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  Needs some work - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By walterq - August 23 - 9:46 pm

  A lot of road noise, window seals had to be replaced 2xs, still inadequate. When they replaced window seals, primer damaged paint. Radio and interior music enjoyment is terrible. Bearings (3) went at 51,000 miles, 1000 miles over warranty.

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  Great Investment - 2006 Volvo S40
  By gradstudent456 - August 22 - 8:50 pm

  My S40 has nearly 150K miles on it and with regular maintenance, tire rotations/balancing and oil changes, I have had very few issues. I constantly receive compliments on how elegant the car is. Many acquaintances believe it newer and more expensive than it is. I am lucky to have Volvo-specialized mechanic with integrity in town. While parts are expensive, I plan on having the car until it dies because it is such good quality. Purchasing this vehicle is like purchasing a high-quality leather handbag. It is expensive but if you care for it regularly, the investment will bring you satisfaction and contentment for many years. You will be proud to own even if it is not the newest.

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  300 hp big turns - 2004 Volvo V70
  By MiamiTVR - August 22 - 9:16 am

  I have owned many Volvos. The 300 hp 6 speed is what got me into this one not to mention the fun blue leather. If the clutch had not gone out before 30K and Volvo not suggested it was my fault, had the lip of the wheels not stuck out further than the tires seeking out curbs to rub on, had the front spoiler not stuck out a couple of inches too far and one too low, had the paint and leather been Volvo-like and less prone to showing every slight rub as a permanent scar, had they made head rests and door pillars and mirrors so they could be seen around and, most importantly, had they designed it to turn in less space than a cruise ship I would have rated it higher. Pretty not Volvo tough.