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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  Our 03 XC70 is outstanding! - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By Hugo - January 14 - 11:33 am

  We are the second owner at 13,000 miles, bought it pre-certified with a 100K warranty and now have close to 26,000 miles. The car has not given us any problems at all, it has peformed extremely well in mostly heavy, city, Dallas TX driving; though the Pirelli Scorpion STR tires need to be replaced (dont recommend V-rated tires) at $150 a tire. The A/C is outstanding in 100 degree temps and still get 19 mpg in the city. We compared this vehicle to the Audi All- Road & BMW Wagons, both were over- priced; and the Range Rover which had too many poor maintenance & gas mileage reviews. The light turbo has plenty of kick (210 hp), were very happy with the overall performance of the Volvo XC70!

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  Volvofan - 2004 Volvo S60
  By RQ - January 14 - 2:00 am

  Much better car than the 02 S40 it replaced, hands down! Better quality control would be nice but overall a great, safe ride. Inexpensive insurance compared to BMW, Lexus and Benz.

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  A keeper - 2000 Volvo S70
  By HappyVolvoOwner - January 14 - 2:00 am

  Overall a great call, great Value.

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  WINNS CAR - 2001 Volvo V70
  By p morgan - January 14 - 2:00 am

  3 YRS OLD AND LOTS OF STUFF HAS BEEN FIXED. THE REMOTE CONTROL DOOR LOCKS,THE POWER DRIVERS SEAT, THE PASSENGER SEAT IS A PAIN TO ADJUST, NEW FRONT STRUT, NEW RADIO & SPEAKERS, NEW CUP HOLDERS. WE HAVE TAKEN EXC. CARE OF THIS VEHICLE. THE ONLY STRONG POINT IS INTERSTATE DRIVING. THE QUALITY AND INTERIOR DESIGN IS POOR AND MY WIFE IS READY TO SELL. WE WILL NOT PURCHASE ANY MORE VOLVOS.

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  Absolutely great family car - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By DC Luke - January 14 - 1:50 am

  Have utterly enjoyed owning this vehicle. From the dealer support to the sheer enjoyment of driving with the safety Volvo is known for, I highly recommend it.

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  Medicore SUV - 2017 Volvo XC90
  By Midoles0621 - January 13 - 4:48 pm

  This Volvo is an average SUV . Nothing special , some materials are hard ( rest hand , etc. ) . The ride is very hard .

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  what a coupe !!!!!!!!!! - 2002 Volvo C70
  By dchase - January 12 - 10:00 am

  I just bought my C70 in January (about 4 months ago). I am an avid coupe driver, having owned BMW, Mercedes, and Jaguar, all in coupe variants. The C70 is a power house. 236 hp, awesome brakes, tight steering, and a killer sound system to boot! I traveled a little out of the way to get the car from Volvo of Fort Washington, one of the best dealerships I have ever experienced, and a very compassionate and fair sales person named Dory Chaefsky. This car is amazing, and definitely worth looking into !!!!!!!!

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  I love my Volvo, but... - 1998 Volvo V70
  By badkitty_abc - January 12 - 10:00 am

  It requires a bit too much maintenance and the O-2 sensor problem is a bit annoying. Overall, I would get another in a heartbeat.

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  Disappointed - 2000 Volvo S40
  By Maggie - January 12 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car because I thought Volvo would make the smoothest driving, most reliable car out there. Not exactly true. I have had to replace the engine block, rear brakes, and headlights. Had to fix minor repairs to windows, visor mirror and many rattles. This models interior is not very convenient - cup holder and window controls. Also, just had a baby and car seat barely fits. Trading it in for something bigger.

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  My C. - 2002 Volvo C70
  By Jasta - January 12 - 2:00 am

  Very reliable, as Volvos are known for, but exceedingly pleasureable to drive when compared to other sport cars. My C is also very roomy, especially compared to the Jag I was thinking of buying. Lots of shoulder room and very comfortable. For the same price, one must squeeze themselves into a BMW or Benz of lesser beauty, performance, and comfort.