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:

• 

  love my xc90 - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By novastylist - November 22 - 2:00 am

  i love the way it looks, drives,and feels !!!!!

• 

  133,000 and 6 years and running very well - 2005 Volvo V50
  By jsrobinow - November 21 - 3:51 am

  I bought this car used via E bay from a private seller. It has had only three odd failures that were easily fixed. One rear hub sheared off three bolts and was replaced. Cause was never determined. Fuel pump module and oil trap failed and were replaced. Other service has been routine. It handles well, accelerates well and gets 25 to 28 mpg day in and day out. With snow tires used in the winter with four wheel drive and six speed manual trans it is an amazing winter car. I go places that the SUV crowd cant go because they use "all-season" tires which in fact are really "no-season" tires. Great car overall, fun stylish and versatile.

• 

  Too many problems - 2006 Volvo XC70
  By bridget7 - November 21 - 3:14 am

  My XC70 has 112,000 miles on it, and is as expensive to run as my Audi was, without the luxury. Each required service, basically a glorified oil change, runs anywhere from $250 to over $500. The AWD quit working last winter because of worn-out teeth on a coupler that attaches to the drive train, according to the mechanic a common problem. They want anywhere from $1000 to $3000 to fix it, depending on "unforeseen problems." Also, the condenser has a leak so the a/c quit working this summer. They want another $1000 to replace that. The radio has a short, which isnt repairable, only replaceable for around $800, and after market stereos cant be installed on Volvos due to a proprietary design.

• 

  Just a review - 2002 Volvo V40
  By Alex Makhanko - November 20 - 10:00 am

  The best car I have ever had

• 

  This is a really wonderful machine - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Djavlar - November 20 - 10:00 am

  Having enjoyed driving a 1981 245, a 1989 740, and a 1991 745, Ive come to realize that each was a really great machine for me and my family at the time we owned them. Miss the ruggedness of the 245, but dont need that now; prefer the smoother ground-hugging capability of the V70 AWD. Lots of things I could do with the 245 that I dont need to do any more....and couldnt in the V70 if I wanted to. Are Volvos safe? Well, my son totalled my 740 and my daughter totalled the 745, and theyre each here to tell the tale....though no longer behind the wheel of anything I own and off my insurance!

• 

  Best balance of of perf/price/utility - 1999 Volvo V70
  By chuckchuck - November 20 - 10:00 am

  Compared vs Audi, Mercedes, BMW. Volvo wins based on price, performance, versatility, and finally the 4x4

• 

  Amost there - 1998 Volvo S70
  By Hawaii - November 20 - 10:00 am

  I chose this car over a BMW 5 series for the price to value ratio. The 236 HP from the turbo-intercooled motor works well except for a sometimes hair- raising turbo lag. More than once my butt was pinching the T5s comfortable, power and heated leather seat when I had to merge into traffic from a dead stop. There have been some minor disappointments: poor button visibility behind the steering column, driving lights that do absolutely nothing, poor rear visibilty when backing up into a parking stall. But overall its minor stuff. I feel my T5 was a deal.

• 

  Never more comfortable - 2010 Volvo S80
  By Anonymous - November 19 - 2:00 am

  Bought the S80 V8 AWD with the executive package. Never have I been happier with a car, and Ive had 25 in the past 26 years. The ride rivals my old Mercedes 420SEL. Massaging seats a nice bonus. Awesome power, good enough handling, and hours of comfort on 5 hour drives every weekend. I have a bad back, and BMW/Audi/Mercedes are too stiff. Cadillac/Lincoln are to "glitzy". Love the understated beauty of the car. Most comfortable seats in the world.

• 

  My first Volvo - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Oceancruiser - November 17 - 10:50 pm

  i bought it with 29k miles on it..this car on the highway is awesome with lots of power because of the twin turbo engine..in the city feel very comfortable and quick enough to move in traffic.

• 

  Didnt know how bad - 2000 Volvo S80
  By murfslaw - November 16 - 11:40 am

  This car has been a maintanence nightmare. A lot of warranty repairs to suspension and drive train. 12K mile interval between brake jobs. My cost of maintainence has been $187/month since I bought the car...not including gas.