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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  Perfect Compromise - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Mike - May 24 - 5:43 am

  The objective reviews of this car are right on. On balance, the severe flaws in this car are outweighed by the advantages. I came from an Audi A4. The A4 just "felt" much better but the S60R blows the A4 away in pure speed and power. The S60R is not terribly reliable but more so than the A4. Both cars are expensive to maintain. The A4 was more comfortable inside and the A4 interior is more attractive.The safety features and the standard "extras" on the S60 far exceed the A4. There is a major problem with the turning radius of the S60R - MAJOR. The rear seat room in the S60R is nothing short of disgraceful. The stock tires on the S60R are dangerous; trammeling.This car is a compromise.

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  Frustrated! - 2001 Volvo V70
  By sd - May 22 - 9:53 pm

  I used to love this car, despite the squishy transmission that my husband has complained about since day one. Then, last week, the o-ring failed causing the car to lose all power steering fluid. I had to have it towed the dealer for repair. Yesterday I had to replace all 4 rotors and brake pads at 48,000. The brake pads were originally replaced around 25,000. They assure me that this is typical?! I thought it was unbelievable. Ive had many of the other problems reported by others, slipping transmission, service light appearing for no apparent reason, etc., but the brakes are my last straw. This is my 2nd and last Volvo!

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  Drive it till the wheels fall off - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Bet - May 22 - 12:13 am

  I love my car however it has been costly to maintain. Many problems occurred during the warranty period which thank heavens were covered. I now have 164,000 miles on it and hope for 100,000 more at minimum! It is beautiful however it is hard to see out of the back, turning radius is too big and handling is not as tight as I would like. I have also experienced interior issues including loose door panels, broken dash knobs and broken gear shift knob! All in all I would recommend Volvo to others however the overall quality of the car needs to be improved to compete with other cars in its "class.

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  Volvo V50 - 2005 Volvo V50
  By T Forbes - May 20 - 9:30 am

  I bought this car while overseas. I saved money but the process was complicated. Generally, however, this is a very solid, well designed car with many useful, standard features. The performance with the standard engine is better than adequate. I have already driven it in the snow and it is great. I did have a problem with the vapor recovery system that took 3 days to fix, but the dealer was responsive and gave me a loaner (S40 with turbo - faster but displayed turbo lag). Hopefully, the problems are behind me, as I am looking forward to many useful miles. This is my first Volvo (Honda and VWs in the past) and so far it has been positive.

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  Good buy, but not a flawless car - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By gilles bourdier - May 20 - 6:40 am

  Car is a 2005.Roomy and comfortable. Has not let us down so far ( at 55000km). It looks good and not too big. Still manoeuvrable in town, despite a high turning radius. Parts and tires are durable. Fuel economy is very good on the open road and highway (12/13 l/100), much worse in town (18/20 l/100) HOWEVER, car is hefty and ponderous, taking away any driving pleasure. Steering wheel too low, even when adjusted, sunroof lets in way too much wind noise. Leather quality of seats poor. Engine feels suprisingly strained and whining under effort. Exhaust sound is a letdown. Sounds like a German V6, not a V8. Disturbing loud clunks and thumps over road bumps. Good, but not flawless

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  wow - 2005 Volvo S60
  By skipney - May 17 - 6:36 am

  Have the sports package that truly gives this car a styling edge. Definitely a head turner. Love the interior displays. Car handles and drives with ease. Very fun to drive.

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  new V70R automatic owner - 2004 Volvo V70
  By kschel - May 15 - 10:00 am

  Owned V70R automatic (not manual, though the web form does not allow any other designation) for a week. Gave up 2003 Passat Wagon GLS 5 speed, which I loved, to get more room so we could seat all 6 in our family. Built in booster seats are great. Very fun to drive, seats extremely comfortable. You can select different settings for suspension depending on whether you want comfort or want to race. This is a lot of car for the money. Reliability remains to be seen.

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  Volvo C70 - 2007 Volvo C70
  By GB - May 11 - 1:56 am

  I have only had the vehicle for 7 weeks however I am very satisfied with the performance of the vehicle. The only downside thus far is the gas mileage. I have only been getting about 18 MPG in the city.

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  Not worth $43000 - 1999 Volvo S80
  By garysabo - May 7 - 2:00 am

  Leased 1999 T6. Its been a reliability problem since 3 miles after taking delivery. 13 un-scheduled service appoints - Check Engine light comes on regularly. Transmission Control Module and Evap Control replaced twice. Most parts not available and require ordering resulting in another visit to Volvo service. Brakes are a nightmare - long play on pedal where nothing happens, then instant grip. Volvo service says this is normal. Remote locking has failed twice. When the lease is up this car goes back to Volvo. Volvo offered $500 off residual to keep the car but residual is $5000 over Edmunds TMV. Volvo knows this car was a problem.

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  My Opinion - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By joezarra07 - May 6 - 7:26 pm

  Previously drove A4 and 9-5 but w/3 kids we needed something more practical. The SUV has traditional good looks that didnt go out of style 3 yrs later. The seats are still very comfortable. The third row seat has not been an issue and wont be unless you have a large teen or an adult in back. Even that is OK for a short ride. However not all is good with this SUV. The AC is nothing short of terrible. The Pirelli tires that came standard didnt make it to 25K. The plastic housing on the driver side craked. The tie rod broke at 42K The CD player no longer works. Lease is up and will look at GL450 X5 MDX.