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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  Great car with great value - 2017 Volvo S90
  By Oakley1999$ - December 1 - 12:19 am

  There is not too much I can find wrong with this car. The comfort and styling is top for this price point. They must have fixed the electronics because it boots up reasonably fast and has not crashed. I love the simple but refined feeling of the interior. Its quick and has plenty of power for my driving. With the current incentives and discounts this car was a steal. So far the mpg seems far below the reported estimate, but most times Ive found the car needs to be broken in before you can judge that.

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  A great car, when it works. - 2000 Volvo V40
  By Isaac - November 30 - 5:16 pm

  Drives well, handles confidently and is exceptionally safe. Heated seats and leather interior are nice too. Gas mileage is generally good, and its an attractive looking car. Ive always liked my Volvo 240s so I thought this was a good bet. So whats not to like? over four years, a $700+ CV joint, $2400 top end, $500 radiator, $300 bearings, more burnt out electrical gadgets than a cheap chritmas tree (hope you like staring at the check engine light) and the price of 93 octane only gas. That is, of course excluding the performance tires and brake wear. Oh, and as previously mentioned, the cup holders and armrest for the driver on this model are less than helpful.

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  Volvo S40 T5 Fwd - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Impressed - November 29 - 6:50 pm

  Wow, what a nice car. I had never owned a Volvo and was always turned off by their square body styling, that was until I saw the new 2005 S40. Volvo has definitely done a great job improving their body styles. I was originally interested in the BMW 325i. I figured I would at least give the competitors a try, so I test drove the Audi A4, Mercedes C230, and Acura TSX. I came across the S40 while doing some research on Edmunds. The ratings were good and the price looked even better. I went for a test drive and I was sold. In my opinion, the S40 T5 blew the others out of the water. I have been driving the car in the city and getting an impressive 27 mpg. I hope this continues after the break in.

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  so far so good - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By han - November 27 - 12:16 am

  best looking suv in its class

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  XC - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By Alpharetta - November 26 - 10:00 am

  We purchased a XC wagon for safety and reliability but its been in the shop 7 times in 12 months, one time to replace the airbags which had malfunctioned! Most repairs have been electrical issues. Very fun to drive and front seats are ultra comfortable. The back seats are not comfortable and there are no cup holders unless you use the front middle console. Backing up is difficult due to low seats/narrow windows = poor visibility.

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  Nice!!! - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Laura - November 24 - 10:50 pm

  Love this car, fun to drive, easy handling, great interior space, smooth and good ride!

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  Family of six - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By mjs - November 24 - 8:10 am

  Owned the car for four years and very satisfied with performance and reliability. Perfect sized. Not too big or small. Four children and both parents travel regularly in it.

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  The Bad Reviews are all TRUE! - 2000 Volvo V70
  By Joe - November 24 - 2:06 am

  Bought this car in January 2009 with just over 100K on it. After disregarding Consumer Reports and many horror stories on this site, I am paying the price now. In just two months, over $2000 put into it, and the check engine light came on couple of days ago, with codes for an oxygen sensor and catalytic converter. The interior is cheap and noisy, crazy squeaks and rattles. Alternator died, leaving me stranded on the highway. $700 to fix. Vibration in the engine, drivetrain issue the mechanic says. Stay away from the 98-00 XC, great look and feel, but 90% chance it will cost you a boatload to keep running. I was hoping to be that 1 out of 10, but no such luck.

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  Volvo C70 first two thousand miles - 2007 Volvo C70
  By tim2it - November 23 - 6:40 pm

  Got one of those 6000 imported C70 2007 babies, and Im really enjoying it. It is Magic Blue Pearl with white interior. Best, most intuitive interior I have ever owned. I think it is called ergonomics. I also get people stopping me all the time to admire the car. Auto trans is a lagger at the light, but acceptable for people who dont care to shift. There is a pull to the right during accelerated lane changes at higher speeds, but again, it is OK if you know it is part of the turbo right twist phenom. I took it to Yosemite and over 9,000 feet mountain passes and the car was fantastic. Overall, it is a great ride, and a nice, safe drive. Lets hope I can get parts as it ages.

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  Excellent to own - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By XC90 in Illinois - November 23 - 4:00 pm

  We bought the SUV last Feb and we love its safety, comfort and its easy to manage in severe snow storm. The heated seats and back provide warmth as soon as you start the car in cold weather. The premier sound is a plus to enjoy on the road and the children can select their favorite channels while we listen to our music. The sensor windshield is so convenient to have. The temperate can be set so it will not be too cold or too hot. This is a wonderful car to have and we love it since day one. We are Volvo lovers. Our first Volvo is 1990 240. Our 2nd Volvo is 1995 940 sedan and we still drive it.