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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  Love the car when its not in the shop... - 2015 Volvo XC60
  By mustang4305 - November 9 - 9:06 am

  We bought a new XC60 R-Design in June of 2014 and have had nothing but problems since...it has been in the shop every 3-4 weeks with problem after problem. Everything from the suspension to the steering to the electrical has been an issue. We love the design and the build quality but this car has been a lemon.

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  Rides Like a Go-Cart - 2004 Volvo V70
  By Brian Funk - November 9 - 6:20 am

  Yes the V70R can do it all. Absolutly it is an amazing machine. But, however the ride is very rough. You hit small bumps and its like terrible even on comfort mode. I put a decent dent in the back rim just going over railroad tracks too fast. I sold my V70R within 6 months of having it, just couldnt handle the bumpy ride.

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  Volvo 850 Turbo Wagon Platinum Ed - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Pat Downey - October 30 - 10:00 am

  We purchased our 850 Wagon off a three year lease. It currently has 80K. The car performs well, gets good gas mileage is very comfortable, and has been fairly reliable. Repairs include rear main seal and ABS control at 50K. Radio at 70K. Otherwise maintenance has been routine. Has had pinging noise which was explained as a relief valve on turbo since purchased. Interior plastic seems a bit cheap. Has squeaks and rattles.

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  tire sensors - 2007 Volvo XC70
  By stella - October 24 - 5:36 am

  Only owned vehicle for 3 months, Applied winter tire package. There was a problem with the auto accepting the sensors. Dealers could not find out why. The sensors were removed and now have winter tires . They will refund me for the ??sensors??? Car drives well in snow.

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  Solid, comfortable, but not perfect - 2005 Volvo S60
  By eh_clark - October 20 - 5:10 am

  When Volvo first introduced the S60 in 2001, I was very impressed but considered such a car to be out of my reach. However, when the Ford Ranger started to show signs of impending doom, I started looking for something a little more roomy, comfortable and efficient. Luckily, I found an add special and got a great deal on a base model (whose standard features exceed my "loaded" Pontiac). So far it has been a very quiet, reliable, COMFORTABLE, and reasonably effecient car. If it would have had fog lights, it would be perfect. Obviously, I would like a turbo and AWD, but really couldnt afford it.

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  Sometimes Newer doesnt mean better! - 2005 Volvo S60
  By volvo4ever97 - October 20 - 5:09 am

  Newer doesnt mean better! Today I got to test drive a shinny black Volvo S60 model 2005 AWD. (After my recent service prices engaged on our 97 Volvo 850GLT my wife suggested we get a newer car and make monthly payments with full warranties 4 peace of mind) anyhow the 05 S60AWD is very fast/peppy. AWD holds excellent traction in wet/slushy/snowy roads, but not the car for me. Why? Our present Volvo has enough leg-room in the back for 2 adults to sit in while the front occupants are comfy, the S60 has a gap of 4 inches from edge of back seat to back of front seat. Nice car for a little man/woman and maybe babies in the back seat, not for Volvos advertised 5 passenger (adults).

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  Myriad electronic problems - 2012 Volvo XC60
  By rglambsb - October 14 - 6:40 am

  weve had numerous intermittent problems with electronic systems in our 2012 XC60 T. It s now with the dealer for the third time, with no fix in sight. Here a partial list: BLIS system gives false readings most of the time. Problem duplicated by dealers. Nav system reruns message "system not available" . Blue tooth stopped working entirely gate opener either doesnt work or works only within a few feet of the receiver. Key opener either doesnt work at all or requires repeated pushing from about 8 feet. With car runnung, rear seat passenger gets out, and car flashes "key not found". if you put the key in the slot, the engine stops running, which is dangerous. Back up video stays...

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  Love it despite its issues - 2012 Volvo S60
  By T Nowlin - October 12 - 9:59 am

  I have owned nothing but Volvos. That said, Im a bit of a car guy and know the comparisons between my 2012 S60 T5 and its competitors. While it may not handle as tightly as a comparable Mercedes or BMW, a T5 beats a base 3-series or C-Class hands-down when it comes to speed and comfort. Its also a sharp-looking car. My primary motivation for purchasing this vehicle was because it was the second safest car ever tested by the IIHS (next to the Tesla Model S) at the time. I bought it certified pre-owned from a Volvo dealer with about 30,000 miles in 2014. It has the premium package (sunroof, leather, power passenger seat) and climate package (heated seats, headlight washers, rain-sensing wipers). The draw to the CPO car was the 100,000-mile/7-year drivetrain warranty. While I adore this car, I am also very, very glad I have the extended warranty. I dont think Ive ever had to take a car into the shop so often. At the time Im writing this, I have taken the car in four times to fix a leak in the passenger floorboard that they cannot identify (I will give the dealer credit for their exhaustive efforts with this). The silver trim on the steering wheel and console began to peel, which they replaced. They also replaced a broken air vent. One leather panel on the backseat has begun to flake while the ones beside of it have not. Its obvious to me that the tiny panel in the middle is made of inferior material to those surrounding it. The dealer would not address this because they "found evidence" that my dog had ridden in the backseat. Most problematic is that the oil pressure warning came on 4,000 miles after my most recent service, meaning that it was four (of five) quarts low. It goes in later this week to have that issue figured out. I maintain this car well, having my services done when (or before) theyre due, and only use synthetic oil. It shouldnt be having these problems. But most importantly to me, Im safe, comfortable, have the power to escape a treacherous situation, and look damn good doing it. But, of course, it is as Im on my way to the dealership for the millionth time for warranty work.

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  Volvo Engine Seizing due to sludge - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By BeetleBaby - October 10 - 10:16 pm

  My Volvo wagon was ok until my engine SEIZED from sludge buildup at only 49000 miles. I had ALL oil and maintenance done 100% at the dealership and per their schedule This could be a problem with them all. Be very careful and ask about sludge and have them check for it. Having your oil changed regularly does not help, there is a problem with the engine running too hot in relation to the pollution control devices which basically cooks the oil to sludge.

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  Great looks+highway comfort/performanc - 2001 Volvo V70
  By howardc64 - October 4 - 8:20 pm

  Wife traded a minivan for this and loves it. This car has 2 personalities >= 70mph on highway is awsome. Comfortable, good power + mileage (28-29) City driving is sluggish and poor mileage (17-19). Lack low end torque so the car lacks pickup. Manual shifting stick or autostick allows the driver to correct of mismatched auto shift + RPM torque setting. Poor turing radius. For our style of driving, well go with the 2.5T next time. Reliability has been ok. Both headlight + various position/brake lights burned out once. The bulbs are cheap and very easy to replace. Front light lens assembly is a single unit (glass) and cost $300 for parts when chipped. Get ipds plastic lens protector.