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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  Gas Hog! Like an SUV - 2006 Volvo V70
  By AndyH - October 4 - 3:23 am

  This is a solid, quality and well appointed car. Feels like it is worth the money and is comfortable to drive. Great capacity and a steady family hauler. However, the real world fuel economy is far worse than claimed by Volvo. If you care about emissions and fuel economy you should not buy this car. I am not sure how Volvo manages to fool EPA ratings but the real world fuel consumption is more like an SUV than a sedan or wagon. I would not buy again due to this.

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  Last of the Originals - 1999 Volvo S70
  By Dan - October 2 - 11:16 am

  This is the last of the all-Swedish Volvo, and the turbo and AWD make for an impressive package. I believe this car got lost in the confusion over Ford sale. Agree with many of the past reviews, but the turbo really does give impressive performance to what is a somewhat heavy car. Handling is sure no sports car but not bad either. I bought the car new, then transferred to my mom, who still has it, so we have a good perspective, and the car runs well at 80k miles. On the other hand, the car is noisier than it should be at highway speeds and engine vibration is noticible.

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  Great car, expect to pay for it though - 2003 Volvo S40
  By GT3996 - September 30 - 10:00 am

  This car was purchased for my wife in 12/00 with the expectation that we would have a baby before the end of the lease. We truly enjoyed the car, however the addition of our daughter has changed our feelings towards the S40. It is simply not large enough for two adults and one baby. With the baby seat in the rear-facing position behind the passengers seat, my wife has to move the passengers seat almost all of the way forward, which is obviously not comfortable. Also, we had to replace the brake pads at 13,000 miles, and tires at 22,000 miles.

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  Solid performance, great looking - 2002 Volvo C70
  By Bill from San Diego - September 27 - 6:10 pm

  Love the car. HP model is very quick, especially over 40 mph. Surprising little body roll, Best looking in its class, especially top down. The rear seats are well-sized and surprisingly good trunk space. Love the car overall.

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  Practical good looks - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Michigan Fats - September 24 - 10:00 am

  I really like this car. It is solid and practical. Great cargo room, long and lower than SUVs. With my Thule roof rack I can carry kayaks, bicycles, or lumber on top without help getting it on the load bars. However, since 100K miles Im putting quite a bit of money into repairs. Maybe thats normal, but my wifes 1994 Accura Legend with 164K miles has needed fewer repairs (per her). Wonderful winter car too.

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  Happy with my Volvo - 2000 Volvo S40
  By ex-BMW Owner - September 24 - 10:00 am

  I had previously owned a 1987 BMW 325 series and LOVED it! I was the original owner (13 years) and it had 270,000 miles on it. I was sure that I would buy another BMW. A friend of mine was buying a pre-owned VOLVO and he saw the S40 in the showroom and immediately thought of me. I instantly liked it. I now have almost 60,000 miles on the car. I have replaced the brakes twice and the headlights 2 or 3 times, the battery (April 2003) and tires (May 2003). Overall, I am very pleased with the car and I hope to keep it another 7 years.

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  2001 VOLVO S40 - 2001 Volvo S40
  By BUD MASTERSON - September 24 - 10:00 am

  WE HAVE 0 PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINE OWNERSHIP(LEASED). IT IS QUITE QUICK AND EXTREMELY COMFORTABLE-FOR AVERAGE SIZED PEOPLE.AIR CONDITIONING,BRAKES,PICKUP,STORAGE, ARE ALL REALLY GRTEAT. THE ONLY DOWNSIDES ARE IS THE ENGINEERING OF THE RADIO,CONTROL UNITS & PLACEMENT OF CUP HOLDER-

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  Best value & fun to drive - 2001 Volvo S80
  By Mhamm334 - September 23 - 7:50 am

  I must say this has been the best car I have ever owned. It has been well taken care of, when I purchased it had 57k miles, all service records are up to date. I am very impressed thus far. I would have to agree that visibility is lacking, but performance is great, and interior is greatly designed, there is lots of leg room in the back. Great for long trips to the beach.

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  My first volvo - 1998 Volvo S70
  By jamesg1970 - September 16 - 4:20 am

  I made my purchase on the 98 S70 t-5 in nov 2001. I am pleased with the overall reliability, but now at 60k miles I am noting some glitches. The Glitches at 60k: a slow oil leak, one electronic window button has stopped working, the leather on the doors is breaking down, the leather has become easier to scratch (even if conditioned every 60 days), the headlamps and front plastic signal covers crack easy, the brake calipers have never performed to my liking, and the Alternator was replaced at 50k.

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  Not really a Volvo - 2004 Volvo S60
  By John Henry - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Volvo - safe, functional cars, right? Well, not really with the S60. Yes it is a fun car to drive, but is this any different than the S40? No, would suggest not spending extra for this car. Seems as if Volvo lost sight of what Volvo stands for. Sure has great handling on perfect road conditions. Get some bad weather though, and look out, big time problems. Finding out safety record is disappointing - another non-Volvo feature. Forget using back seat - this really should be a coupe, not a sedan.