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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  Just a great car - 1996 Volvo 850
  By pmulry - May 14 - 10:00 am

  We bought our 850 used a little over a year ago and its been a gem. From these reviews, it looks like you either get a dog or a jewel, so we were lucky. We bought it with just over 100k on the odometer and have put about 15k on it in a year. From the way that it drives, you would never suspect that it has that many miles on it, it drives just like a new car. In our year of ownership, weve averaged just over 20mpg and the only cost weve had (other than oil changes) was for an A/C repair early last summer for about $300. I highly recommend this car.

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  I Love It!! - 2000 Volvo S70
  By desi - May 14 - 10:00 am

  This is my 2nd Volvo. Before, I had a 1986 Volvo 740 GLE. I got 208,925 miles on that baby. And I would still have it if my son didnt total it in a car accident. The S70 is not as sturdy as the 740 was. There are too many electrical components to the S70 and I believe that is the problem. The mechanics are not fully trained on these new computer circuits and chips. Overall, I love the power of my S70. And, yes, you do tend to hear more highway noise then my previous Volvo 740 GLE. And, I agree the cup holders are a joke for such classy car.

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  Good Deal for the Money - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By RD - May 14 - 4:13 am

  We came out of a BMW X5 4.4 and couldnt be happier. Performance is the same, ride is sporty but not as stiff; we pretty much got this thing loaded and got a free Garmin Nav unit as well. Ended up with the V8 because we didnt feel the 6 cyl could do the job. Fuel economy in 600 miles of in- town driving around 16.5 mpg; pretty good for a heavy car. The biggest thing for us was keeping the same size SUV and getting more interior room and with the 3rd seat down, there is plenty for her and the babys stuff. We got ours at the end of the month and after negotiating, they practically gave this thing away. Get the Executive pack with different leather and the blindspot info deal; worth it.

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  Fun Car, Safe Car - 2003 Volvo V40
  By Jeremias Gentry - May 14 - 2:00 am

  We were looking for a good combination of a vehicle that was fun to drive, safe in the event of an accident, and provided utility for a small family. We found it in the V40. I was suprised by the smooth acceleration and responsiveness, definitely enough to work through the perilous Atlanta traffic with ease. We test drove all the wagons and felt this was our best option.

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  Good buy! - 2000 Volvo S80
  By nlhopki1 - May 14 - 2:00 am

  We have really been thrilled with our S80. It is fun drive, looks sharp, is incredibly safe, and has been very reliable.

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  I love my S60 - 2001 Volvo S60
  By tfoster123 - May 9 - 1:05 pm

  I actually recieved this car at 192,000 miles, but I had been driving it as a family car from 168,000. We LOVE this car. My father and I do all the maintainence ourselves because lets just face it, Volvos prices are nuts. At 198,884 (as of today) there are a few problems. My A/C cuts out after about 15 minutes, and I cannot turn it on if I want to get on the freeway. I also have a very rocky shifting, but have never had any real transmission issues as of now (knock on wood) and the suspension is less than desirable. However for a 18 year old? This was a great car to inherit. Other than the problems listed above, I love this car.

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  What a wonderful wagon - 2004 Volvo V70
  By cln - May 9 - 10:00 am

  A great value after $4000 Volvo rebate. All I wanted are in this car. much easier to drive and feel safer than SUVs.

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  Just excellent. - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By odb - May 9 - 10:00 am

  Simply fantastic.had driven it for six months now, got nothing to complain about.hope to keep it for a long , long time.

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  Love it! - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Debra - May 9 - 3:06 am

  This is a fantastic vehicle. The cargo room of an SUV and the performance of a sport sedan. Solid, heavy, and safe. A blast to drive. Acceleration at highway speeds is pretty impressive. Looks great, too.

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  Best car Ive owned - 2017 Volvo S90
  By Joseph L Fernandez - May 7 - 4:33 am

  Check out competition . Took delivery of my s90 inscription in August 2016. Car has exceded my expectations and those of my family. A joy to drive , excellent navigation, best car seats anywhere ultra high quality materials. Some recalls ,normal in a completely new vehicle , perfectly done by dealer. Long drives on NYS Thruway excellent. Trips to Manhattan and Brooklyn from Monroe , a pleasure. Car is quiet, roomy and very confortable. Last 9 years drove 3 335xs BMW .