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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  Overall Excellent - 2008 Volvo XC70
  By BrettW - April 29 - 6:30 am

  Overall, this vehicle has been excellent. I purchased it with 10,000 miles on it and have added another 12,000 in the past 9 months. The car handles snow like a champ- in fact much better than the touted Subaru all wheel drive system (I traded in a 2007 Legacy for this car). It is slightly underpowered off the line, but at 55 miles per hour and above this car has plenty of torque to pass on tough Colorado mountain passes. The interior design and quality is excellent, and the seats are everything you expect from a Volvo. They wholeheartedly live up to their expectation. Only issues have been a few rattles and squeaks and a defective speaker that the dealer solved.

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  What a nightmare!!! - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By dok - April 23 - 10:00 am

  I have finally solved all of my 2003 XC90 problems, I GOT RID OF IT! Let me count the thousands of dollars I spent in 7 years on maintenance, 4 sets of tires, 2 were the crappy pirellis, then 1 set of michellins and finally 1 set of goodyear assurance tires rated for 80,000 miles. A leaky power steering unit, both front lower ball joints and tie rod ends. And a new transmission after 57000 miles along with a leaky sun roof and the emissions evporative pump and charcoal canister. but what realy hurts IS not being able to find a volvo dealer that could fix the car reliably and honestly. steer clear of volvo of edisons service department.

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  Dependable car - 2005 Volvo V70
  By Vince - April 20 - 5:33 am

  We have an 03 V70 and liked it so much that we bought the 05. Car is solid, comfortable, and dependable. Normal services and no real problems yet through 62K miles. Does have electrical snafus -- at times the fuel gauge doesnt register fuel remaining, and when cold, the MPG and fuel remaining readings arbitrarily change between the 4 or so displays available. Wide turning radius on the 17" wheels -- larger than the 03 with 16" wheels. Smooth & light steering, but bumpier ride than the 03 due to the 225/45R17 tires I suppose. Engine is responsive and turbo gets car up to freeway speed quickly. Original Pirellis still on -- probably replace at 70K.

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  Not bad - 1997 Volvo 960
  By Ian - April 15 - 6:15 am

  This was my first car I recieved for a graduation present in 2008. it had over 100,00 miles on in then. It lasted about 5 more years. Sunroof leaked when it rained. it would all pool up and then you when you made a turn all of it would drip on you at once. Inside parts did start falling off, all the cloth on the roof finally came off. I used the cheapest gas on it and didnt take the greatest care of it. Seat controls stopped working so I was stuck at one position forever My alternator broke near the ned and I had to replace that. Then at about 180,000 miles the engine and battery started having issues. It couldnt keep charged. It would drive sometimes but would randomly turn off. The radio wasnt the greatest. The sunroof was nice. I would say its a slightly above average car.

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  Versatile Wagon - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By Corvallis - April 14 - 10:50 am

  Volvo XC70 was a huge upgrade for us - more safety, more comfort, more space, more reliability. My wife and I still really like this car. We justify the expense by having it as the only regular driver. Also more cost to purchase and I dread the first major repairs given the Volvo reputation. Friends say "expensive to fix, but worth fixing". Mileage is good for AWD, but the 99% use pattern as a commuter/road car makes the AWD hard to justify. Hope to use AWD more often in future. Great road trip car, very comfortable. Get about 20-22 mpg city/~26 mpg hwy. So far (over 4 years) havent had major mechanical problems. Hoping this car lasts a long time - shooting for 15 years.

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  Bought for the kids but now Im keeping this one - 2000 Volvo S70
  By k_in_austin - April 14 - 1:31 am

  I love this car. I did buy it initially as a safe vehicle for my teens but it drives so much better than my 2004 xc70. This car is a hidden gem--the 2000 model year was the last year this was made, the last year of truly Swedish Volvos, way ahead of its time with side curtain airbags, also quite luxurious. Waited for a gem and found a base model with less than 100K, well cared for, bought for $4400. Have had it for 1 yr. I like that it is a great size, runs quietly, handles well, steering assist is just right, visibility terrific, seats comfortable.

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  Steady if unspectacular. - 2000 Volvo S40
  By PSedrish - April 11 - 10:00 am

  2.5 yrs and no major downtime....still very peppy....a little bland to look at maybe....stereo could be lots better.

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  Volvo has lost a customer! - 1998 Volvo S70
  By goodleto - April 11 - 10:00 am

  When took delivery, one door wouldnt open because the door lock was broken. Since then, the car has had numerous headlight replacements; the headlight on/off switch has failed; the ashtray retaining clip broke (neither of us are smokers and dont use the ashtray); the heating coil cracked, spilling coolant inside the car; all of the door gaskets have been removed, reinstalled, and finally glued in; the taillight assembly has been repaired twice and replaced; the cruise control has failed; the retaining clips for the under dash trim panel have broken; the steering column trim clips have broken and separated; and the air conditioner has failed.

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  Tranny issues plague C70 - 2004 Volvo C70
  By ncmommy - April 10 - 1:29 pm

  I bought my 2004 in 2005 and love the look with the top down. The main thing to watch out for is the transmission!!! At 90,000 miles it began to slip and by 120,000 I had to have it rebuilt to the tune of $3500. Since having this work done Ive not had any additional issues but was sorely disappointed in this Volvo as Ive owned 6 and this one just pooped out. Another thing to watch is to never drive up too close to a parking curb!!! The bumper is so flexible and low to the ground as to let the car easily run up. Due to the shape it will literally rip off when you back up. This has happened to me 2x and I swear Im not being as stupid as this sounds.

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  a vintage year - 96 - 1996 Volvo 850
  By soberone - April 6 - 10:00 am

  In general always buy low engine models in any brand: the hype of more hp is a marketing trick. So with volvo stick with the 168 hp engine. Turbos allways are more prone to problems (as in any brand car)...Road handling more important than racing to next stoplight...we bought this 1996 model on dec 27 1996 (showroom model) and -knock wood- have never had any major problems. Very low maintenance costs, thanks to a local swede-car mechanic (would have been much more expensive with dealer service, our advise is to avoid the dealer network, they are ripping you off with unnecessary repairs). Very reliable, spacy and comfortable.