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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  Edmunds Helped Me Make The Right Choice - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Diane - May 20 - 6:56 am

  I did my research before buying our 2007 Volvo XC90. Needed an AWD and wanted a safe and roomy ride for our grandchild. Edmunds really helped in the process of elimination and we are so happy we chose (and found) a Volvo. Thanks!

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  Not bad - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Proj - May 20 - 3:30 am

  This car is ok. Im a true Volvo fan and this is a little disappointment in the reliability department coming from my 88 760 GLE. But its so much fun to drive and very comfortable. If you get one of these, make sure the transmission fluid is clear and red and the transmission control module has up-to-date software! If the fluid is not clear and red, only use 3309 ATF when you change it. The transmission is very sensitive in these cars so be prepared for some serious upkeep on it. Ive been fortunate so far.

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  Awesome vehicle - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By KIKI - May 19 - 10:53 am

  I am a 65 year old grandmother and feel really good driving my grandchildren around in this safe vehicle. This is the 6th volvo my immediate family has owned. We love them and "drive them until the wheels fall off." Before this 2005 xc90 my last volvo was a 1997 960. It was awesome too.

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  A smart choice (for me) - 2013 Volvo S60
  By kmjs_1 - May 17 - 6:59 am

  I was looking for a replacement for my 03 IS300 Sportcross and ended up test driving everything from a Mini Clubman S to the new Lexus ES. All over the map. But I kept coming back to the Volvo S60 because it was comfortable to drive (front seats are amazing), felt solid as a rock, had good acceleration running on regular, and could be bought for much less than competitors. The long term review of the 2012 model on Inside Line was almost all positive as were other published reports. The 2013 T5 model improved in acceleration and gas mileage, nice combo of improvements. Reliable, comfortable, a great value. So now I own a Caspian blue with beechwood leather S60 T5 and am a happy camper.

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  First Convertible - 2001 Volvo C70
  By Gentoo3 - May 16 - 2:00 am

  Beautiful car especially with top down. When it was new had lots of people asking me about it. Not a sports cars more a grand touring vehicle. nly problem was passenger front window came off track.

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  Watch out: poor electrical system design - 2000 Volvo S80
  By craigs - May 16 - 2:00 am

  Used, 1 prev owner. Within 4 months, had the following electrical systems fail at separate times; I had second opinion for repairs: Air cond. control unit failure Antilock brake system unit failure STS (traction control) unit failure Exhaust system - faulure Intermittent light failure Transmission control unit -- failure When the STS and ABS control units fail, they cause the transmission control unit to fail. Spoke with other S80 customers who had similar experiences. 1999-2002 models are known for having faulty / poorly design electrical systems. Summary Make sure your warranty covers ELECTRICAL AND has rental car coverage. Youll need it.

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  Fabulous vehicle! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Mark 4 - May 16 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive, luxurious feel. Safety system is A+++++. Exterior is very unique, doesnt look like every other midsize SUV. Highly recommend this vehicle.

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  Surprise... I am faster than you think!!! - 1998 Volvo S70
  By Brian - May 15 - 1:03 pm

  I enjoyed my Volvo S70 GLT so much that I purchased another one. This time I bought the T5 and it is the same great car with a few more options and faster. No one can believe I purchased another 98 Volvo until they see my new S70 T5. The seats are the most comfortable of any car I have ever owned and the car got 28.4 MPG on a trip home which I drove 70-75 MPH. Front wheel drive for the winter and the heated seats make a great combination with a moonroof and cool A/C in the summer. The car has a distinctive look unlike many other boring new sedans.

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  A Perfect Ten - 2002 Volvo S60
  By jackpeace - May 15 - 3:26 am

  This is our second Volvo. It is the best car for the money in this segment. Our prior Volvo, the V-70, had not a single problem in the 39 months we leased it. The main reason I am penning this review is that the first review here is positively glowing. But the writer gives the car a "5." He/she surely knows his/her cars, but not his/her math. A super review means the car should get at least an eight. So read the prior review, average it with my "10," and then go get the car!

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  Fun Car - 2005 Volvo S40
  By JC - May 14 - 9:33 pm

  This is a fun car to drive and I love the way it looks, inside and out. The mileage is bad and thats a big suprise given what Volvo says it "should" be getting. I get around 300 miles to a tank of premium gas. These days, with fuel prices what they are, that hurts....alot. I know other people with the same car that have no problems at all. Maybe its a quality control problem.