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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  So Far So good - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Bodiej13 - August 27 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car for my wife after she looked at BMW 3 series and MB 230. Weve put about 5K miles on it so far with no problems at all to date. The only negative things I can say is the turning radius sucks and the suspension is a bit noisy on bumpy roads. Other than that no complaints. Didnt like the noisy 4 banger on the MB and it seemed smaller. The BMW was the most fun but with similar options would have been 5-8K more and everybody has one.

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  Great Car! - 1998 Volvo S70
  By K - August 25 - 3:43 pm

  This is my first car and I have had it for almost 2 years. It has been great to me, Ive driven it for about 25,000 miles and it has been great. Only issue was it overheated due to my ignorance of not knowing what coolant was and what it did and drove it like a goof and put $400 down the drain.

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  Two Thumbs down - 2002 Volvo V70
  By Richs saturn - August 23 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for approx 8 months and it has been in the shop six times. Several times for a squeaking front end (never fixed), a burned out power lock motor, a bad power window motor and a leaking power steering pump. Whats next. This is the first car Ive owned that is not Japanese. What a mistake. Next time Ill buy a Honda.

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  XC90s cool mode is always on - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By faliin561 - August 23 - 2:00 am

  my friend only talked about this vechicle for months. i now cant ador much more. its ride is very car like ride. it has volvo safty.

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  Consumer Beware!! - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Joy - August 20 - 6:46 am

  Purchased this car from private seller at 20,000 miles. Previously had a 240 sedan and wagon. Thought this was the most beautiful and comfortable car I had ever experienced. The love affair was short lived. Constant problems with electronics, sensors, throttle, ball joints, computer modules... at 80,000 miles was told ball joints needed replacing (I found out at that time that they had been recalled and replaced prior to my purchasing from seller). Unreliable and expensive car to repair!! Company does not seem to care that their customers were sold an expensive piece of junk. Trying to get rid of now... not running, needs $3500 more, will just sell for junk which it is! Never another Volvo!!

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  THis Will Help - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Jay W - August 19 - 8:20 am

  I have 2 Volvos:850 & V70 both with nearly 200K. As you read these reviews, bear in mind there are 2 kinds ov Volvo owners: those who dont do squat themselves & expect 0 maintenance cuz its a Volvo and get disappointed when they get gouged from dealers. (industry wide) And the other group are folks like me who do work selves and run em 4 ever. By huge margin, easiest to work on, extremely durable well-made. Dont be intimidated by the ignorance-based reviews: these cars will run for 300K easy! look online for maintenance helpful volvo sites! the inline 5cyl GM tried to copy: the motor is bulletproof!Local tranny shop almost never sees Volvos! Neg w/Vs=little plastic trim interior stuff.

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  Awesom - 2003 Volvo S40
  By tdta817 - August 18 - 10:00 am

  I test drove the Audi A4, VW Passat, but finally settle on the S40. Its nicely built, good controls, acceleration, and excellent safety features for small car.

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  Tough Expensive Workhorse - 1996 Volvo 850
  By xcvbvbb - August 13 - 10:00 am

  Ive driven the 850 60000 miles in 3 years and I find it extremely reliable. There a re a lot of aggressive young drivers in my area and I dont worry if the idiots crash into me - a land rover rearended me and merely bashed up the boot lid. It builds up your driving confidence if youre nervous on the roads. Replacement parts are expensive - ive been quoted 2000 for replacement ABS unit.

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  Full Package - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Senior - August 13 - 10:00 am

  I love my car so much - I never even considered a Volvo until I drove the S60 T5! It handles great, even on ice, and has quite a kick to it. Of course, there are slight problems - Ive had my car in the shop to repair the CD player twice already in 6 months, a rod has been replaced and my alignment is off. Random things seem to go wrong and I hate the fact that there is no trunk release inside the car!! Still, its a smooth ride and I love it despite its flaws!

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  I love it - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By ??? - August 12 - 12:56 am

  the only complaint I have about my xc90 is the key! It continually comes off my key chain and the mfgr fix didnt fix it! Otherwise Im a convert. I owned five bmws before the xc90 and theres just no comparison when you match price drivability and quality. the gas milage is excellent too. I have a 2004 now but im ready to trade for the 8 cylinder version. I have 51,000 miles on mine so you know I live in my car.