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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  Buying Trouble - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Mr. & Mrs. K - July 5 - 9:50 pm

  With a family, household and business to run, we encounter enough trouble and stress without having to pay a premium car price for more. Please save yourself time, money and mental health and buy some other car. Weve had two software updates covered by the recall (I say covered by the recall in that we did not have to pay for the software update, but no one reimbursed us for time, trouble, babysitters, etc). Weve spent $1000 on the abs module and more in just the 2.5 years weve owned the car. Were going today to trade it in on something else. Ive had cars that cost half the price of the Volvo that ran much better and provided much fewer headaches.

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  Best Volvo Yet - 2012 Volvo XC60
  By jerry philipp - July 4 - 8:57 am

  Probably owned over 8 Volvos since 1982. This by far is the best one. Great warranty service when I needed their help. AAA rating for Hudson Valley Volvo. Will see them when I return from Fl to see if I can sell this one to them and then lease a 2016 Volvo same model.

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  Tried and True Workhorse - 2005 Volvo XC70
  By Bob - July 4 - 6:56 am

  I purchased a 2005 Volvo XC 70 to replace my 2002 XC70 CC. It is virtually same car, but with smoother performance and ride. The transmission on my 2002 broke down at around 28,000 miles, but I purchased another one anyway. This is a great wagon. It is very dependable and fun do drive. The outside visability problems that I expereiced with my 2002 have been corrected to a degree. This models response, including turbo, is smoother than in 2002 was and the transmission definitely works better. It has great pickup and hugs the road. Its perfect for snowy weather. I can drive with no problem in weather that forces other 4WD off the road. Overall, this is a good car even for the slightly lofty price.

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  False Advertising - 1996 Volvo 850
  By No Volvo for You - July 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought a Volvo because of what I believed they had a reputation for producing safe, trouble-free, cars that would last many years. After 6+ years, Ive had to spend over $13,000 on repairs to the car -- whats kept me going is the thought that nothing else could happen....well Ive been wrong every time. Im going to get through this winter, sell it or give it away and will steer clear of Volvo (horrendous service and warranty replacement policies BTW) as I suggest you or anyone considering a Volvo do as well.

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  Wow what took me so long!!!! - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By TCN II - July 3 - 6:36 am

  It is absolutely the best purchase i have ever made. It is comfortable, wonderful to drive and lots of room for "baseball stuff"

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  Good for family with only 1 child - 2015 Volvo XC60
  By Talia - July 3 - 1:26 am

  I purchased a 2016 XC60 this past December since I had a brand new baby and felt we needed a SUV for safety. The SUV is overall very safe im sure but the accessibility of the backseat is ridiculous. I cannot tell you how many times ive hit my head trying to maneuver my sons car seat into the middle seat. The only way you can easily get a car seat in the backseat is if you move either the driver seat or the passenger seat forward almost completely. My husband is 61" so if he is driving you may as well count the driver side of the car out in terms of being able to put a baby into the back. For the amount of money we paid for the vehicle i assumed the backseat would be comfortable which it is not for an adult. I am only 54" and am incredibly uncomfortable when i sit in the backseat with my son, to the point where you have to sit sideways because your legs have practically no room. I feel this is a HUGE design flaw on Volvos part! If you only have 1 child and dont count on having any more then this is the car for you. However if you plan on having more kids good luck to them being comfortable in the back seat! I cannot wait until it is time to buy a new vehicle which is unfortunate because I heard such great things about Volvos but probably will never buy another one again!

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  Luxurious, somewhat fast, yet very problematic - 2002 Volvo S80
  By Thomas Skinner - July 2 - 4:06 am

  When I initially saw this car, I was hooked by the twin turbo inline six that sat under the hood. I took it for a test drive and it was surprised at how quick it was, considering that it was a somewhat obese, front wheel drive luxury car. I needed a "reliable" car to drive on a daily basis (compared to the 40+ year old Datsun I had been driving) and I figured I would go with the S80. It had 160,000 miles on it, which shouldnt be too much right? Only a few days after bringing it home I noticed a whining noise from transmission... Great. Upon doing some research (which I should have done before buying the car) I found out that faulty transmissions are common for them. Although aside from that and the buggy electrical system, its a pretty good car. Its extremely comfortable, the power steering it has makes turning a breeze, and its a nice car to drive. However I wouldnt recommend this car to a friend.

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  Disappointment - 1999 Volvo S80
  By alex - July 1 - 10:56 pm

  Poor reliability, expensive electronics failures some plastic parts dont stand UV, therefore disintegrate, had to replace sway bars, rubber washers under the McPherson, dashbord not user frienfly, on and on and on.

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  This Is The SUV For You - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Bob - July 1 - 2:06 pm

  The XC 60 is by far the best car I have driven and/or owned in my 40 years of driving. I did a great deal of research on it prior to its release date and it has exceeded my expectations. I traded in a fully loaded Highlander for this car and I am glad I did. It is a much better vehicle than the Highlander, which I liked. The XC 60 drives and handles very well; extremely powerful on the highway.

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  Surprisingly Good - 2008 Volvo XC70
  By John Callister - July 1 - 7:36 am

  It is even better than I expected. The interior is all of a piece, with those wonderful Volvo seats. The controls are similar to the last 2002 XC70 we had, rewarding the repeat customer. There is no flimsy dash mounted cupholder like the old XC70! The car seats 4 in absolute comfort. We had a way-back third seat in the old XC70, but not on this one, we almost never used it.