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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  Style and Substance - 2013 Volvo C30
  By djd123 - August 15 - 1:46 am

  Have owned for 3 weeks now, and the smiles keep coming. This car is very well put together, looks great, handles well, and has plenty of power on tap when you need it. It is very comfortable as a daily commuter, even with the stiffer R-Design suspension. As other reviews across the web have stated, the steering is a bit numb and the manual shift action a bit rubbery compared to other sport coupes/"hot hatches", but it makes up for it with how well the overall package fits together. This is a car that somehow seems greater than the sum of its parts. Hard to explain.

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  Mixed Review - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By vmerch - August 8 - 12:50 pm

  I added the optional Nuvi/Volvo navigation unit when I purchased the car. It looks great in the recessed dash space, but the dealership dented the center stack when installing. After getting the car back, I have had continued rattles in the back. I removed every possible part that could cause the noise and it still exists. Yesterday the BLIS on the passenger side stopped working. I cleaned the lense but it still blinks on/off and most of the time just stays on. It will be in the shop again this Friday. For 6 weeks of ownership it will have been out of service for 2. While I drove both the MB350 GLK and this car, I am beginning to regret my Volvo choice.

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  Consultants Car - 2004 Volvo V40
  By SRH - August 6 - 1:53 am

  This was our first Volvo purchase. We wanted a car that was safe, but fuel efficient. We also wanted a car that was flexible enough to be both our family car, but also a respectable car to be driven for my consulting work. The V40 fit the bill. I have to drive both short distances in city traffic as well as long distances on highways and the V40 handles both nicely. Four years later I still love my car. I would buy another.

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  Personal Comments - 2000 Volvo V70
  By Keri - August 1 - 4:46 am

  Now that the car has reached 100,000 miles, it seems to be having more problems. First, the air conditioning stopped working and now the ETS light is coming on and Im not sure what the problem is there yet. I havent been happy with the dealership servicing, as they charge way too much for what they do.

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  Funnest car Ive owned yet! - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Justin - July 31 - 10:46 pm

  I am a 24 year old college grad that needed a car that had curb appeal, but performance! I owned a 2003 S60 2.5t AWD but had found this car being traded in by the last owner when I was changing the oil! Its my best purchase yet to date. I have the areo ground effects package with 18 inch rims. I did a few performance upgrades and tunes, so its definitely not stock. Im pushing 438 at all wheels however I have 487 torque! Runs 11 seconds all day long. Great sleeper!

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  better options are out there! - 2012 Volvo XC60
  By fshfsh120 - July 26 - 6:54 am

  I purchased a brand new XC60 3.2 8 months ago. ItÂ’s a nice car but absolutely doesnÂ’t worth the premium you pay. The worst part of my experience with Volvo was the dealership. I complained about the dealership but the head office did nothing. ItÂ’s my third car after a Toyota Venza, Mercedes C300. Worst experience with the dealership!! Safety? ItÂ’s not a big deal these days. Not much difference between different models and brands. If you do not believe me, just get a few insurance quotes or crash test results! Last but not the least: terrible fuel economy!

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  By a Acura or Infinity - 2002 Volvo S60
  By consumer8796 - July 20 - 10:00 am

  First of all the customer and dealership service for the vehicle is the worst I have ever had. Horrible. Vehicle stalled and left my wife and I stranded. I was able to start it again. Dealer advised loaner cars were a curtisy but not manditory. Also advised they would not provide a ride home for me if more then 15 miles. Honda here I come! Dealer advised car was fine!

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  My Volvo - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Sandra - July 19 - 1:00 pm

  I bought the car new. It is a wonderful car to drive although I have had a number of electrical and mechanical problems. I have severe arthritis and the seats are the most comfortable of any car Ive ever owned and adjustable to many positions. I love the power and the instant response and feel it is the safest car on the road today. The only reason Im considering another make is reliability. Ive never owned a car with so many problems.

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  CPO - Very Reliable - 2007 Volvo S40
  By JG - July 18 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this car with approx. 20000 mi CPO from my local dealer. I have changed the oil every 5000 mi, not factory recommended 7500. I now have 82000+ miles on the car. Ive only had to take it in twice for repairs. Once for something very minor and the second time for the A/C going out intermittently on very hot days in South GA. Thank goodness it was CPO! They replaced the compressor (with new clutch assembly) and it is good as new. (Would have cost a mint had it not been covered under the extended warranty - $1200+) Overall, good entry vehicle into the premium compact sedan market. The 2.4i could use 20-30 more HP, but the MPG is great. Average 27 mixed. 31+ Highway.

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  XC90 Quality - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By C. Bennet - July 14 - 7:33 am

  The XC90 is a nice quality family vehicle. It drives very smoothly. There is lots of cargo space. It is a joy to drive and I feel safe. Although, I find the gas tank too small and have to fill up more often than I would like to. I also wish it would have a sunglass holder.