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:

• 

  Great Car - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Mike J. - July 12 - 10:00 am

  Ive had the car for about 4 months now. Simply put, the ride is great and the car has to be one of the fastest on the road. I put 93 octane each time i fill up and boy do I feel the power. The leather seats are very comfortable and provide tremendous back support (especially for my aching back).The mileage tacks on very quick, a little too quick?! The headlamps are high intensity and look very nice at night. My only complaint has to be those damn squeaky brakes!! Also, the gas mileage isnt too great, but since I am alwyas racing the engine, I figure its mostly a result of my crazy driving habits. Everyone who I show off my car to is impressed, get this car!

• 

  Great Wagon but no room for carseats - 2002 Volvo V70
  By smujmu - July 12 - 10:00 am

  Purchased this wagon with 3rd row seat. A dream to drive on a 2500 cross country trip - no driver fatigue as seats are very comfy. No repair issues to date. My one complaint as a mother of young children is the difficulty in installing a third carseat or booster. GET THE integrated booster seats. Back seat has little leg room - no a biggie for hauling kids, but seating and seatbelt spacing in middle position is narrow making it just about impossible to fit a 3rd carseat in back seat. You cannot use child restraint in 3rd seat. We did not opt for the integrated booster seats - and found they area VERY expensive to add in later.

• 

  Precertified 2001 xc70 - 2005 Volvo XC70
  By nipper - July 12 - 10:00 am

  Love the spaciousness and interior quality. Super sound system!! drives well and feels very safe and hugs the road.

• 

  Fun Car!! - 2002 Volvo S60
  By NotASoccerMomCar! - July 12 - 10:00 am

  I bought a Volvo S60 2.4T in Aug. 2002 with premium package, sport package, and touring package. This is a fun car to drive. I never thought I would buy a Volvo, but I really love this car. It has nice pick- up. The interior is very stylish. My only complaints are: with a 3 year old the back seat is small, the tires wear down quick (15,000) and are expensive, and I had a problem with an RPM sensor but Volvo fixed it in 2 days and provided a rental car. Overall, I would recommend this car to anyone who wants a fun sports car!

• 

  This baby begs to be driven! - 2005 Volvo S40
  By SteveSS - July 12 - 10:00 am

  I love driving this vehicle more and more each day. I travel a lot of back country roads and this beauty performs! Only complaint so far, highway driving seems a bit harsh. Oddly enough I would think it would be smooth on the highway, it seems to ride better on hilly country roads. The S40 responds to your every need, its comfortable, responsive and turns heads. I test drove a 2005 Subaru Outback turbo, the 250hp did not come close to the performance of the 218hp Volvo. I originally wanted the AWD drive version but for some reason is hard to get. I opted for the automatic geartronic transmission, which is a blast to drive.

• 

  Light bulb of the month club - 1999 Volvo S70
  By JIM - July 10 - 2:46 am

  Blows lights all the time; constantly replacing. Master cylinder replaced at 61k!!! T5 eats tires (3 sets in 70k, z rated tires are very soft). Also on 3rd battery (1 covered by firestone warranty). Power seats do not always operate. However, sound system is very good. Uses 93 octane gasoline.

• 

  Minivan with Ground Clearance - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By J G Stewart - July 9 - 10:03 pm

  My wife has extreme Volvo loyalty and she bought this XC90 3.2 FWD straight base model in spite of my reluctance. I pondered a Kia Sedona, but couldnt bring myself to close the deal on that because I was doubtful the mpg would meet my minimum requirement. With my inaction going on indefinitely she bought this XC90, and I took her 2004 V70 base model with which I get 30 to 35 mpg on the highway at 70 to 80 mph under best driving conditions. The XC90 fuel use has been acceptable on the highway (22 mpg to over 26 mpg), but lower than I would like at 15 mpg in short trip usage in town. Total fuel economy over the first 12,000 miles has been 19 mpg.

• 

  Best Car We Ever Bought! - 2002 Volvo V70
  By WestHillsMom - July 9 - 2:00 am

  Since our family has expanded to 2 children we were looking for a safe family vehicle and opted for a Volvo Wagon instead of the typical SUV. Our V70 feels solid/safe, looks classy, and drives great!

• 

  dissatisfied - 2002 Volvo S80
  By Jeff Bomke - July 9 - 2:00 am

  Loved the car until major safety problem started to occur (left front spindle backing bolt backed out and jammed into drive shaft three seperate times) Volvo refused to fix the third time. Traded for a BMW 530i two weeks later.

• 

  Great vehicle; Unacceptable depreciation - 2000 Volvo S80
  By FA - July 9 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle looks great and is fun to drive , with ample power. No major mechanical problems have been encountered except for numerous bulbs burning out. The steering column and dash controls are poorly placed and difficult to decipher. My biggest complaint with the vehicle is the far to rapid depreciation experienced. The used price of these vechicles falls like a rock. Dealers do not support the market and openly admit that there is limited demand for used units. I was offered less than 50% of the original MSRP by the selling dealer after only two years and about 20000 miles.