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 best at the price - 2010 Volvo S40
  By Earl - July 14 - 5:53 am

  Got the car early this year; first thing i noticed was the torque, i love the strength of the car,its powerful, good gearbox, bit of a hard drive,that just makes it more sporty. I am happy i bought it, it handles corners well for a fwd car. the motor makes that sound...nuts man,love it to bits

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  Still Going - 2005 Volvo V70
  By Mike - July 10 - 6:50 am

  I have had this V70 car for 92,000 miles. I still drives as new. Only repairs were to a frozen gear shift and head lights started to glaze but were replaced under warranty. Maintenance has been below normal, brake pads, oil, and flush fluids at normal intervals. Volvo dealer maintenance is less expensive than premium brands but I have spent four figures there at least twice. The result in keeping the car up is a 10 year driver, six years in it really shows no wear of any significance. My last Ford Explorer and Sable were well worn by now on the last go around. Wife has S60 same engine her car is bullet proof also. For people who want cars for longevity go with the base 5cyl eng.

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  Volvo Most Underrated........... - 2002 Volvo S60
  By kzoomn - July 6 - 11:20 pm

  A very good to excellent car with outstanding seating comfort. Has everything the luxury cars have except the high price. Above average gas mileage with satisfactory power. The best thing the S60 has going for it is its styling. You can alway find it in a parking lot as it doesnt resemble most of the other makes copycat cookie- cutter styling. Plan to keep it for at least 10 years as it will still look up-to-date............

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  Nit picking - 2004 Volvo V70
  By usmcrg - July 3 - 10:00 am

  This car has the turning radius ofthe Queen Mary. Also there should be a warning BEFORE the purchase that winter tires are necessary, a $700 surprise. The dash clock is difficult to read in most day light hours. The door lock system does not differentaite locking from unlocking. But great handling and performance in sheeps clothing.

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  Nice Car - 2010 Volvo XC70
  By js - June 29 - 3:03 am

  Bought my XC70 a few weeks ago. Overall very happy with the car, smooth drive, lots of space, good safety features, clean and simple interior design, very comfortable seats and excellent visibility. Handles very well. My only criticism is the less than impressive fuel economy. Base engine is also a little sluggish at the lower end. Seems to perform much better when higher octane fuel is used. Solid family car.

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  One of the best Volvo - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By POKEMON - June 27 - 10:00 am

  I own this car for 1 year now, the car is beautiful, drives like regular sedan, good performance, and adequate horsepower for tasks. The 3rd row seat is very well designed, even its a bit small compare to other makess 3rd row seat, but the safety feature of Volvo is absolutely unsurpassed. Even though its not the biggest when compare to Hondas Pilot, Toyotas Sequoia, Acuras MDX, but its definitely one of the best designed, best builded, and most fun to drive.

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  Great Car - 2000 Volvo S70
  By lorid - June 24 - 2:00 am

  The car has easy to use controls and handles well in the snow. It is a comfortable car. I like the split rear seats and the trunk space. I bought the car for safety and reliability. The only issue I have had is a defective battery. The dealership replaced it at no charge. The dealership has been great to schedule regular maintenance and even found a nail in one of my tires and had it plugged. The customer service and service has been good. I would recommend Volvo

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  Loved the Car, but it has not lasted - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Aussies - June 21 - 10:56 pm

  All Volvo maintenance & service performed by Volvo. Taken for multiple service ref limp mode issue, hesitations, and brakes slipping driving from cold start. Oct2008 in limp mode then stopped dead after driven 40 miles. Towed to Volvo, Georgetown TX. Kept one week & said nothing wrong. Feb2009, after driven less than 2000 miles, took to Volvo Austin TX. S80 hesitated entering the service bay. Volvo wants $4000+ to repair right & left front spring seats, Hood shocks, Front brake pads, Front brake rotors, Four tie rods, Realignment, Lower right engine mount, Both lower control arms, Lower engine air guide, Transmission pan gasket, engine breather box, ETM dirty. How can all this be wrong now?

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  An expection - 2007 Volvo V50
  By Aaron - June 21 - 2:50 pm

  Ive never thought Volvo was this good. I just bought it for safety reason for kid but it exceeds my every expectation. In short, perfectly quality built for saftety without sacrificing performance and fun of driving. I got it on 15km. Overall it has been giving me satisfaction out of expectation. Very responsive, Powerful enough of its class, running stable like a rock, outstanding sound system - feel indulged driving as listening; strong sense of safety sitting in the car. Wonderful small family car, beautifully designed for storage and family traveling; every function works perfectly.

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  Luv it and leave it ! - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Mark - June 10 - 8:10 pm

  Enjoy driving my S-80 but beginning at 55K miles repairs have been constant. Now have 100 and have to sell because it is costing me $1000 per quarter for repairs. The mechanic said that the items needing to be fixed are not common problems. Great. I cant wait until the common problems occur. I hate the idea of selling but my comfortable car is no longer dependable. If dependability could be improved, I would buy another one. i.e. wheel hub $700, throttle $1200 a/c next last 4 months in repair. Sorry Volvo.