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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  Worst driving car Ive ever owned - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Bandit1 - April 30 - 1:46 pm

  We had a 1998 S70 and loved it so much that we decided to upgrade to a 2001 V70 T5. What a mistake. I hate driving this car. The adaptive transmission never reacts the way you want it to. When you come to a stop, the transmission shifts to neutral (fuel saving feature). But when youre ready to go, you have to wait for the car to get back in gear before you start moving. Dealership has reprogrammed the transmission 3 times with no improvement. Press the accelerator and nothing happens. Press it more, and the car lurches forward. Volvo customer service told me "we sell lots of cars so it must not be a problem." LAST VOLVO ILL EVER OWN.

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  AMAZZZZIIINNNGGGGG - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By cheoto - April 30 - 1:49 am

  Awesome, nic looking excelllent performance n dry, wet and snow weather. extremelly stable, 5 years no payments in service a lot of space, great seats and extemelly safe. FUNNNNNN to drive .....absolutly nothing to complain and to much to enjoy. Quality volvo, nice interior totaly different that other cars and i like it. Nice music system, phone connecion, and Ipod connection.... Just i am enjoing this car a lot. Even that i try to be green, with my second car being a Prius, i can not resist to drive the Xc60 instead of the prius. I known the dark side, but is an excellent car.

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  Love this Car - 2008 Volvo C70
  By Gilberto Rivera - April 27 - 3:30 am

  Weve owned our Volvo C70 for 18 months and so far no problems. Quality, build and fit is excellent. Car rides a little harsh but that is due to the 18" performance tires which wear out rather quickly ($300 a pop to replace). We get a lot of positive comments on the sharp looks. Have one major gripe. That is, the navigation system is a real "Dinosaur" to operate. The Japanese beat the Swedes in the electronic software department, again.

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  Performance wagon? - 2002 Volvo V40
  By Volvoowner - April 26 - 10:00 am

  Very happy with this car. Bought it right before a long road trip with my with. Plenty of room in the folding rear area for two weeks worth of camping gear. Highway ride was very smooth, and engine provided plenty of power for entrance ramps and passing. Cabin is very quiet, similar to much more expensive luxury cars. Leather seats are very supportive, but could use a little extra bolstering. The (upgraded) sound system is awesome!! Averaged better than 32 miles to the gallon over 1200 highway miles. Overall, fun car to drive, great safety features, comfortable and practical.

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  beware of the S-80 - 1999 Volvo S80
  By J Morgan - April 26 - 5:33 am

  I just traded in my S-80 on an Acura. I will not own another Volvo. The S-80 was wonderful when it ran but was the most unreliable car I have owned. In 36 months, I had over 20 problems over and above scheduled maintenance. Most seemed to be related to computer problems, and fuel pumps. The car would die at inopportune times. Sometimes it would restart - sometimes not. I lost faith in what should have been a premium automobile.

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  Looks Good - Didt Last - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Gator104 - April 25 - 1:26 pm

  We bought this used with 39,000 miles. It has low profile tires which was a mistake as the noise from them is almost unbearable. Had the front suspension replaced at 87,000 (ride still noisy even after that). Had the sunfoof guides replaced due to roof rattle. Also, light bulbs burned out on a routine basis - a big pain. Little trim items kept breaking that had to be replaced - also a pain. THe radio/CD was of poor quality with poor sound and reception. Dont know if the lack of quality was the fault of Volvo or Ford cheapening things once they took over. Resale value does not hold at all. Finally dumped this dog at 89,000 miles and bought a used Lexus RX300, which is wonderful.

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  Never buy the S40 - 2005 Volvo S40
  By SLara - April 24 - 3:13 pm

  I have had problems with this car from day 1. Brakes screeching (very loud) when in reverse. Neighbors commented since it was a new car. Dealership would not believe me as they could not duplicate. Many trips to a local dealership where brakes and rotors were replaced (total of three times.) The car had to be slightly inclined to produce screeching. Front screeching started at about 6,000 miles. Had to have the car towed twice. Didnt want to drive it with the horrible noise. Dealership said it was not dangerous to drive. They tried filing rotors, etc. The car has spent at least about two months in the shop (on and off). Finally, recently got the car back with new brake pads. SELL

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  Nice vehicle - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By mom - April 24 - 1:20 am

  It has been a great car. We bought one that was fully loaded. Only complaint is that we dont live near a dealer so have to travel for service. We have really felt safe in this car. We had to have break pads replaced too. We think because the car is heavy (for safety) and we live where there are lots of hills.

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  Fix the Turning Radius - 2004 Volvo S60
  By 360 degrees - April 23 - 10:00 am

  I am extremely dissappointed that Edmunds didnt list the turning radius as its #1 con. There is nothing more frustrating than not being able to make a u-turn on a 2 lane highway without having to back up. My wifes 2002 Honda Odessey Minivan has a bettter turning radius than this. My recent rental 2004 Chevy Malibu has a better turning radius. If you drive in California which requires many u- turns and tight parking spots think twice about buying this car. Volvo has to fix this!! Other than that it is fun to drive and a great value considering what you are getting for the Money. I wish I performed U-Turns on the test drive.

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  im happy - 2004 Volvo S60
  By stray dog - April 23 - 10:00 am

  I really like this car! Prevously I had an 01 acura TL. THe performance of this car is awsome, the interoir is really nice, the look is great and there are not many on the roads, so whoever owns an awd s60 R will have a special car. The only thing that could be good or bad for the car, is that they are going to make them next year.