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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  This car has ruined my life. - 2005 Volvo S80
  By s80sux - October 19 - 9:31 pm

  only 63,000 miles and the "No oil pressure" "stop vehicle" light comes on, I had to have the vehicle towed to the dealership and the repairs are well over $1800.00 which I cannot afford. I am NO LONGER ABLE TO GO TO COLLEGE!!! since I have no car and have no way of getting there. This car is a money pit and has literally ruined my life.

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  New Volvo - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Leonardo - October 19 - 11:24 am

  Its a spaceship. Genuinely impressed. The touchscreen takes some playing around to adequately understand (>4 hours). Very comfortable.

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  Well built superior quality - 2002 Volvo S80
  By John D - October 18 - 10:20 am

  Well built, still very happy after 5 years+ of daily usage. 67k miles with zero problems. A pleasure to drive. Good mileage on highways. Everything works fine, distinctive design, swedish engineering.

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  What Happened to Volvo quality? - 2001 Volvo V70
  By theodora Watts - October 18 - 9:16 am

  4th Volvo, nothing but problems with major systems on this one. Exorbitant repair costs. They want to replace catalytic converter, A/C, transmission, seat belt, clogged filter to the tune of $10,000. My Ford Taurus lasted much longer for 1/3 the purchase price. Last Volvo for me.

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  Overall, a good car. - 2001 Volvo S60
  By dimitris - October 15 - 10:00 am

  Volvo has opened up to a new segment with this new, less boxy style. The car has been both a pleasure and an annoyance. Pleasure is the feeling of comfort, safety, gas mileage. Annoyance is having the car die on us (battery & alternator) on the day our first kid was born! Dealer service is somewhat poor compared to the average German Luxury Sedan. Lexus is classes above in that area. Volvo does make good cars, with safety and comfort being the key points. However, be prepared to sporadic breakdown and spotty dealership service. Volvo wants to play in the luxury league, yet theyre not there yet...

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  A fun car - 2006 Volvo S40
  By Christy G. - October 15 - 1:56 am

  Im a loyal Volvo owner (have owned an 87 and 90 station wagons) and I love this car. I did have some set- backs in the beginning - electrical plug blew a fuse after barely being used, A/C started blowing out hot air mid-summer, then the foot fan stopped working. Currently experience a popping noise when turning every once in a while - still hasnt been corrected. Gas mileage is okay - not as great as my VW Golf, of course. Im hoping for a Volvo hybrid!

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  This is a great buy!! - 2005 Volvo XC70
  By ktotaro - October 13 - 11:16 am

  We have loved our Volvo XC70 ever since the day we purchased it. The car is very versatile and has excellent space and its cabin is very luxurious. The turbo charged engine is great!! The car only had a squeak and the dealer quickly repaired it. This is a great buy!

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  My first volvo, but not the last - 2006 Volvo V50
  By ALFREDO - October 13 - 4:53 am

  My wife didn´t like the wagons. She wants a suv (x3) but now she is impressedand very happy. Me, i´m glad with my car.

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  2005 Volvo S 60R - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Dale Fryberger - October 11 - 6:06 am

  I purchased car used with 4400 miles. It was a Volvo finance division company car from headquarters in Michigan. Its automatic, very fast and turns heads. My car has the sport package (ground effects), is bright red, and has the Atacama natural leather interior option. This car definitely looks European with its low slung appearance and twin exhausts peeking out the lower left corner. It is so coool ! I chose this car over Acura, BMW 3 & 5 series (overpriced) and Lexus IS 350. The sport package and Atacama interior are a must have ! Seats are tops! Really comfortable. Engine sounds so great. All I need yet is a high priced radar detector ! This car cruises so effortlessly !

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  Good start but could use a little help.... - 2013 Volvo S60
  By jimdd - October 9 - 12:28 pm

  Been driving my S60 R-Design for just over a year. Great styling differentiates this car from a standard A4 or 3-Series. Motor is smooth and powerful with very little or no turbo lag. Interior is clean and comes off like a German car with a little twist. I actually use the on-dash dial pad often. Its not simply a gimmick. All in all, its a nice upgrade from my G37x but leaves me wanting just a little more. Maybe Ill consider the new Limited Edition R-Design if it isnt cost prohibitive.