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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  Good but not a great car. - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Maxr - September 29 - 8:03 pm

  Good car we have had this car for almost 7 years so far it is a good enjoyable car so far the brakes are squeaking we have put it in to many repair shops but it is still squeaking but like all volvos it is safe and/or good in comfort

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  Dogs love their Volvo - 2000 Volvo V70
  By aman 4allseasons - September 22 - 4:03 pm

  I have had my Volvo for three years now and have enjoyed it. Mine is the Cross County which means it has the turbo engine; unfortunately the turbo Cross Country is not available anymore. Those extra ponies is great when you need to pass someone. I really like the cargo net that is built into the rear seats as it keeps the dogs out of the passenger area, most of the time. Except when my Australian Shepard got around it and ate a whole plate of macaroni & cheese. My Volvo has a load leveling system in the rear suspension which is really nice. Handles great on turns Dislikes: cup holder, which does look like it did come from a Happy Meal. 1 variable wiper

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  Volvo S80 2000 - 2000 Volvo S80
  By S80volvo - September 18 - 2:00 am

  When shopping for a new vehicle, the choose of models included BMW 5, 300E Mercedes, and the STS Cadillac. At 62" the Volvo was the most comfortable and provided front wheel drive. Along with a cheaper price tag.

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  I Will Miss It - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By volvo4life2 - September 16 - 6:48 pm

  After proudly owning a 2005 for 3 years and 35,000 miles, I will be switching over to a 2006 S60. After living in a large city for about a year now, I can no longer handle the 12 mpg that the V8 provided me in the city, and the parking. BUT dont get me wrong I drove my car from 67,000 to 96,000 miles. I loved every second of it. It was the SAFEST car on the road. If you dont believe me, check out the Volvo Saved my life club. I am slightly worried that the S60 wont be as safe. I had the Navigation System, TVs and Parking sensors. Never used the TVs but the nav system and parking sensors daily. Two more things I will be without, sadly

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  Love/hate relationship - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Car guy - September 6 - 8:30 pm

  I bought this car with the intention of keeping it for a long time. With 64,000 mi. this car is the most unreliable (by far) vehicle Ive ever owned! I spent nearly $2000 at 60,000 mi. for service and repairs and 3000 mi. later the service light is on again. I am on the third main computer module (thankfully under warranty), ABS module ($1000), the throttle module left me stranded hundreds of miles from home. Ive replaced a wheel bearing, power steering problems and countless light bulbs repeatedly. Easily over $2000 in repairs alone, not including tires, brakes, regular maintenance, etc. Great when it works, but can no longer trust it! Will be replaced soon, not Volvo.

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  sport tires to week - 2006 Volvo S60
  By ben - September 5 - 6:23 pm

  The wife and I love the S60. It makes her feal special when she visits patients. We love the quality and the safety for us and our daughter. The sage green is a pretty color, not to flashy, but elegant. Car is comfortable for the three of us and can hold all of my wifes nursing supplies in the trunk. It is a rolling ambulance. The dash is clean and simple. The radio can blast METALICA very well. The sport tires are very week and are not worth the money. The seats are the most comfortable I have seet yet and I have driven Lexas, MB, BMW, and others. I am kind of round and they support me very well. Being Sweedish drew me to the car, but the comfort is what sold me.

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  Love it, with quips - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Caffery - September 2 - 1:13 am

  Purchased with 98k on it, now up to 187k, with about 30k just this past year. Like others, a Love/Hate relationship, but leaning more towards "love." General comfort is fantastic - supportive seats that you can sit in for hours, and the ride is smooth but never floaty. The engine is not a tire- shredder, but when you stomp on the pedal (esp. at low speeds), it can boogie, for sure. It always starts, and I average around 23 mpg, too. Interior ergonomics and control layout are also excellent, although some flimsiness (see below). AWD system is great - recently drove 5+ hours through a record-breaking blizzard and never lost an ounce of control. Lots of room for both people and cargo.

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  Good to Better - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Keith Peck - August 27 - 9:50 pm

  High quality vehicle; very large, needed to compete with the oversized vehicles on the roadways. Safety was the selling point, otherwise the CRV would have been the choice.

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  Disappointing Beauty - 2001 Volvo C70
  By GregA - August 18 - 3:23 pm

  This is a beautiful automobile that will turn heads and is fun to ride around with the top down. However if it was not a convt. I would still not own it. I bought it used and got a great deal but if I bought off the lot at $43,000 list I would be very upset. I have had lots of small problems, cd player broken, leaks at window seals, bad wind noise with windows up, cowl shake, small engine issues, and the lights blow constantly. I am shocked to have these issues with a high priced Volvo. I would have gotten rid of this car by now if it was no for the fact that it is fun with the top down and you can actually get adults comfortably in the back.

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  reliability - 2001 Volvo S40
  By Goobs - August 15 - 2:53 pm

  Ive enjoyed this car it has made commuting fun again. Most people when they think volvo think safety or grandpas car, does your grandpas car have a zero to sixty in under 7 seconds. Great performance reliability and its comfy too.