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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  Great Car - 2003 Volvo S60
  By Pittsburgh Sean - April 30 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I leased the S60 2.4T. This car isnt perfect, but we love it none the less. None of the quirks we have found in it would cause us not to get the car again. I would have probably preferred a 3 series, but ruled it out because of rear-wheel drive and that arrogant stereo-type of BMW drivers. There are some things that I would have expected to be a little better in a car of this price (stickered at $36,000). The engine is kind of noisey. In my opinion, it should be whisper quiet. Also, when the AC compressor kicks on, you know it. I wish the car had more "nooks and crannies" to put stuff in. Storage space in the cabin is at a premium.

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  Our First Volvo and First Hybrid - 2018 Volvo XC90
  By Sam - April 28 - 2:43 am

  I am a new ones of the XC90 T8 for just over a week. We selected this car to be our family friendly car when we have visitors and when we go on a road trip. We replaced our Mercedes R530 with tis car. The R530 has a fantastic 3rd row seat that can fit adults (yes adults) in the 3rd row comfortably. So we wanted another SUV with third row that could eat adults. The Volvo XC90 came closest in this regard. The third row can seat adults not as comfortably as R530 but is not as tight as any other SUV with the 3rd row. I have always owned BMW and Mercedes cars and I am very impressed with interior quality of this car. So I am not sure what the other reviewer is talking about a bad interior quality. We got the Denim Blue with Brown interior and we already got so many complement that how sharp everything looks. Also, regarding the instrument panel and center touch screen controls, I find it very intuitive for me and well organized. I do not have any issue with safety in using it because I have already configured all the settings and do not need to fiddle with them while driving. All the users complaining about the screen is because they try to fiddle with it while driving. So I attribute it to bad driver behavior. So far, I love the car and it has meet all of my intial expectations. I will try to update this review after few more months.

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  so many nay sayers ! - 2001 Volvo S40
  By venus - April 27 - 2:00 am

  I Live in Germany, AutoBahn speeds ! I have owned this car since April 2001. Break in drivinig was from Gothenburg Sweden to Germany, 500 miles at 90+ never an issue. I drive her at a 80-90 mph average every day to and from work. Have yet to encounter any problems. She handles great at high speed, has the power when needed. And out ran a few 3 series BMWs and V6 3.0 Alfa Rameos. I have replaced the tires, my own fault. Breaks my own fault. other than that my dealership is great and look forward to driving her for years to come. I must admit the cup holders were an after thought. Price is fair and the style is classy.

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  Great car for value! - 2005 Volvo S40
  By CBell - April 26 - 4:20 pm

  This Volvo definitely has an appealing design both on the outside and the inside. The engine is fun to drive and the car handles well in a sport driving mode due to its compact size. The fuel consumption is a bit more than what I expected for a small engine and the finishing could be better (noise isolation). Overall, this car gives great driving pleasure and has a certain class for a price which remains very affordable compared to other Euro imports in the same category.

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  Great Car - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Arthur - April 25 - 3:23 pm

  Lots of complainers on here, but so far no major problems with my purchase. One instance of fuse blowing on Driver Motorized Seat, but easily fixed. Definitely purchase extended warranty on any vehicle you plan to purchase. Excellent handling in turns, very comfortable seating. Great acceleration on freeway, especially when passing. Great sound system. True luxury feel with excellent safety features and handling.

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  Buyer Beware - 2003 Volvo S60
  By Soon Ex-Volvo owner - April 25 - 10:00 am

  This car has the worst quality of any I have owned! In the two years I have owned this car it has been in the shop four times for warranty work and has completely broken down where Volvo had to tow it to a dealership. Prior to owning this car I WAS a loyal Volvo driver. If you buy this model, proceed with caution.

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  Volvo S60 Is Just Alright With Me - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Edan S. - April 23 - 11:07 am

  Im not quite sure what to say about the S60, I bought it to replace my 2000 Volvo V70, which I loved. I sort of bought this car because I was getting reading to take a winter road trip to Montana and wanted something with AWD. I would have preferred an XC-70, but couldnt find one for the right price or in the time I allotted myself. I ended up seeing my S60 for sale at the local BMW dealership for $6995 with 102,000 miles. It was a one-owner vehicle purchased from and always serviced on time at the local Volvo dealership in town. After taxes and fees I think I ended up spending more than $8K, which in retrospect was way too high. I did, however, end up getting new tires (Michelin all seasons) right away, the old ones were "ok," but not great, some sheep skin seat covers (some of the stitching split on the drivers side seat), and some OEM Volvo all-weather floor mats (all worthwhile investments). So the car, its much smoother than my old wagon, great acceleration despite the additional 600lbs of the Haldex AWD system, decent gas mileage and road handling. Like all Volvos, the seats are supremely comfortable--second-to-none! My cars trial by fire was a 900+ mile road trip to Montana in December amid regular blizzards and arctic temperatures. My gas mileage was pretty decent over 28mpg at over 80mph most of the time. As with most vehicle, it handles really poorly on ice, it does however, do great in the snow. Once those back wheels start to grip, the thing can go almost anywhere (within reason). I did find out at the dealership during my last service that my control arm bushings are bad, so that might account for some of the sketchiness on the ice and just the freeway in general. Much to my surprise yet again, the A/C and heating systems are some of the best Ive encountered! Some of the other reviews have mentioned the cramped nature of the backseats, that is true, its very tight with a full-size adult sitting back there. The trunk while spacious has a fairly narrow opening which makes it a difficult to put some things in. I have a wheeled cooler that I like to take to the beach which often has to sit on the backseat rather than in the trunk. It fits fine in my wifes 2007 Jetta, but that has a higher and wider trunk I guess. Overall, I dont have a lot of gripes with this car. I enjoy driving it and its a nice looking vehicle. One of my biggest concerns though is the creeps, groans, and clunks I was experiencing over the winter. Anytime I would go over uneven pavement or speed humps the car made some weird noises from the front end. Maybe its some back chassis bushings, maybe it is the control arms, or it could even be the struts? All I know is it makes me apprehensive when it happens. Its been great over the summer though, no issues like that whatsoever. I can foresee this car treating me well for the foreseeable future. Will it be as good as my old V-70? Only time will tell.

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  NEVER will we buy a Volvo again.. - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Jen - April 23 - 4:00 am

  I am the original owner of this car. We paid MSRP (I know, I know). The car is loaded and was fabulous for about a year. We have had to replace all four tires 4 times, brakes 4 times, transmission, rear bearings.. engine problems, key fob problems, seat belt problem, water leaking... You name it, weve had it. The ONLY thing we did right was buy the extended warranty. Has saved us $10k, easily.

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  2000 Volvo S80 2.9 - 2000 Volvo S80
  By tomcatskid - April 22 - 2:00 am

  I think that the car is overrated for the price. Its too many kinks in it and I have not gotten the enjoyment out of the car that I thought I would. Its a little to sluggish for me. The electronic throttle module and gas pedal potentiameter went out on it at 57,000 miles. Even though I had an extended warranty, VOLVO did not want to honor it initially. I really think there may also be a problem with the electrical system and the transmission.

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  Love this car! - 2006 Volvo S40
  By happyinnh - April 18 - 5:06 pm

  You cant find a better car for the price. All the features on my Volvo made it irresistible, heated leather seats, traction control, 6 CD changer with 12 speakers, sunroof, I love it. It is so much fun to drive, I find that the 2.4L engine is enough for daily driving, it has good pickup and delivers a smooth ride. I feel so safe when I get into this car, and it handles really well.