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:

• 

  Buy extended warantee - 2001 Volvo V70
  By esw62 - September 22 - 10:00 am

  This car has been a severe dissapointment. I know most people write bad reviews so take this for what it is worth. We have had numerous problems with this car. Gremlin electrical problems, electrical motors in windows, trunk and door locks, I have replace at least 6 signal lights and head lamps twice. Sway bar bushing replaced, $275. Emission system is showing error codes and is soon to need work. Replaced temp stat and temp control. Engine is looking like it may need some major work.

• 

  volvo - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By rht - September 22 - 10:00 am

  Very solid ride. Third row seating much more spacious than the Lexus GX470 or LX470.

• 

  Best Volvo Yet - 2016 Volvo XC70
  By Dhp - September 21 - 9:46 pm

  Professional review was correct - crossover substitute (in fact, XC70 is titled as a crossover). Super comfortable street-legal tank. Our last XC70 held up to an accident like a tank and this model seems even heavier and more stable.

• 

  Cool calm collected - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Paul - September 20 - 12:10 pm

  All the features, design integrity and legendary safety with none of the bling and flash.

• 

  Do not buy this car - 1999 Volvo S80
  By sonorandesertlover - September 20 - 10:00 am

  I had a 93 850 and loved it. Very few problems. Bought this car as a "Volvo Certified" used car, have had nothing but problems. Has been in the shop regularly, i.e., almost monthly. Have had bushings replaced, engine mounts, electronic throttle module (not covered by the extended warranty), warning lights going off all of the time, it makes an annoying squeek when you release the brakes, but dealer can not find anything wrong. I am not waiting for extended warranty to run out. Am getting rid of ASAP. Highly disappointed in this flagship car.

• 

  my 2nd xc90 - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Derrick - September 20 - 9:56 am

  This is our second xc90, we loved our 2004, but we wanted the rear entertainment package, so we traded for a 2006 with everthing. After looking at some other SUVs recently due to co-workers buying new ones I wouldnt trade mine for anything else Ive seen out yet.

• 

  Great Car..BUT - 2005 Volvo V50
  By Al - September 18 - 11:10 pm

  Great car to look at and drive, a stylish interior is always a pleasure to sit in.Got the car fully loaded with sport package and body kit. Practical with lots of cargo space. Gas mileage is around 25 mainly in city driving A cautionary note - I had a problem with road noise/ front suspension , Dealer could not fix it, went to Lemon Law,the car was inspected 4/11/06 by Volvo to confirm the noise was still present after their 4 repair attempts. Four months later I still have not had a refund or replacement and am applying to the State for Arbitration.

• 

  First, But Not Last Volvo - 2009 Volvo S60
  By happy - September 18 - 9:50 pm

  Extremely happy with the 2009 Volvo S60 AWD Special Edition. Great factory incentives (i.e. 5 year 60K warantee and free maintenance for a year, plus all the cash back) made this a no- brainer. Far cheaper than the BMW 328, the Mercedes C-300, etc, but with a far greater safety record, better MPG, better warranty, and FREE maintenance for 5 years! Louvering Volvo was a great dealership with no hassles or pressure, and provides free annual detailing for the life of the car. Plenty of acceleration and the 5 speed tranny keeps the RPMs low, saving gas. Would recommend both the car and the dealership to anyone in the market for a new or used car.

• 

  Love this car - 2004 Volvo C70
  By Eye Run - September 18 - 9:03 am

  I traded in a Chevy Trailblazer and this Volvo is absolutely a dream to drive. The only problem I have with it is the inability of the CD player to go from 1 disc to another without having to eject and press the next track. I also miss the controls on the steering wheel. Ive had dozens of compliments and the car is only 3 months old! Love this car!!

• 

  cool - 2002 Volvo S60
  By hoiev - September 17 - 12:43 am

  very nice