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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  stylish - 2017 Volvo XC60
  By floyd III - February 16 - 9:15 pm

  Ive own my 2017 xc60 about 3months, I really enjoy the safety and comfort. The ride is firm but not obtrusive, I enjoy the bluetooth for my music. im still getting use to the size of the vehicle as I came out of a Volvo s40. a long road trip is in the future. I just finished a 1000, mile trip gas mileage avg 24mpg and it runs on regular a plus. I love the great visibility and road handling. I now would recommend a Volvo XC60 to anyone looking for a great Suv this truck swallowed up all my luggage and great plus three additional adults in comfort.

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  2005 Volvo S40 T5 FWD Great and fun car! - 2005 Volvo S40
  By khyelton - February 14 - 12:46 am

  I just turned 16 and my parents bought me this car for my first car. I have had it almost a year now, and it has almost 100,000 miles on it and it is just as great as the day I drove it off the lot. It handles great on country roads, and even better on interstates which is where I usually drive. It gets a combined average 25 MPG. I use 93 octane (premium) fuel and it seems to get better gas milage. I havent had any problems out of this car! It has been a great car, and look forward to driving it for another 10 years. Just had an oil chage, new brakes, tires, and detailed, and it is good as new! I have never had any trouble out of this car! Its an amazing car!

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  Quirky transmission - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Ted - February 13 - 4:10 am

  We have owned the vehicle for about 10 months (15k miles)and the only money we spent was on front end work which is typical for this car for 100k. Every once in a while when we step on the gas pedal the RPMS jump from about 2000 to 4-5000 (30-40mph). We have the latest software updates and the Volvo mechanic could not find anything wrong. Does anybody have this problem and what did you find out about it? Overall, a good vehicle. Thanks.

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  Awesome design; time will tell - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By dkpmd - February 13 - 2:00 am

  This is a well designed vehicle. It has seating for seven(in a pinch; small third row seat), acceptable performance for an SUV and near car like handling. A very nice package. One small problem is my inability to find a snow tire/wheel package for the vehicle. Tirerack.com does not yet have a package listed on its web site.

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  Very happy so far - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By JAGinKorea - February 10 - 5:00 pm

  Took delivery of this vehicle in Korea using the diplomat and military sales program. Very simple process to custom order the vehicle from the factory and saved nearly $9K over state-side MSRP. Zero mechanical or quality issues since it arrived 8 months ago. Incredibly versatile SUV for my family of five- weve used a variety of seating configurations for different trips, extra guests etc. Very quiet at standstill and on highways and a nice sound to the inline 6 when you step on it. I had driven the V8 version several times before and it is more fun, but I couldnt justify the extra cost and Ive never felt I absolutely needed the extra power. One of the best family vehicles out there.

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  Navigation System Nightmare - 1999 Volvo S80
  By TWoods - February 7 - 2:00 am

  The car has many nice feature. I wish they had thought of illuminating the steering wheel controls on the 1999 model. Also a trunk release inside of the car would be helpful.

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  2014 S60 R-Design with Platinum Package, BLIS, Climate package - 2014 Volvo S60
  By mps_ - February 2 - 4:03 pm

  So far I like this car and it is fun to drive. It works very well as a daily driver and has some good kick, although it is still far from a sports car. I have one major issue with this car. Volvo has built heating elements into the windshield (small wires every few millimeters). At night all lights reflect off of these wires and makes the lights blurry. It is a huge safety issue and is extremely annoying. Due to this issue alone, I am not sure if I will keep this car very long. Although it is nice to have a heated steering wheel, skip the Climate Package if you buy this car.

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  04 XC70 - OK so far - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By mpurc - February 2 - 10:00 am

  Traded in Pathfinder for more quiet and something easier to get in and out of. Surprised to find XC wider and longer than PF when going into garage for the first time. Steering takes getting used to. Tranny rough at slow speeds in neighborhood (auto and manual). Excellent hiway car. Adequate power. Still playing with driving position - comfortable/heated seats a boon to a bad back. Getting 21 to 23 mpg.

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  Great car almost perfect - 2008 Volvo C70
  By Paul "E" - January 28 - 8:33 pm

  I saw the car at the 2006 New York auto show and fell in love with it. The lines on the car are beautiful with the top up or down. The ride is good and its quiet inside. The interior is a little on the plain side when compared to other luxury brands. The front wheel drive is great in order to cope with New York winters. I would not even consider a rear wheel drive car.

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  $Love it But Leave It - 1998 Volvo V70
  By ilovemyvolvo - January 27 - 7:46 pm

  I love this car. Comfortable, safe, reliable and can get me anywhere. My $5000 purchase of a used car has probably now cost me upwards of $10,000 including repairs. Ive owned it for 5 years. Not what i was looking for in purchasing a used vehicle. Its been one thing after another- engine mounts, locks, windows, power steering leak, rear drive shaft now the air pump system. This is not a used vehicle you want to buy if you are not willing to put a lot of $$$ into it. Going back I probably would have settled for something cheaper to repair.