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:

• 

  Everything I wanted!!! - 2004 Volvo S80
  By nicci - November 7 - 10:00 am

  I have had two other volvos in the past. My last one was the 850 turbo. I did alot of research before I bought this car and have been nothing but pleased with my decision. The car is everything I wanted! It is fun, safe and beautiful. What a ride! The car gets alot of looks and many compliments. It rides smooth and is so comfortable. I just get in it and ride around the block just because it feels so awesome. Volvos are pure class and I feel I couldnt have picked any better! Treat yourself and go get one and Enjoy what life has to offer!

• 

  Best vehicle Ive ever owned! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Mary - November 6 - 12:46 am

  My XC90 gets 20.8 MPG on the highway, and about 19 MPG in the city. It has always been solid and reliable in the rain and even occasional ice storm. It burns regular, is great for making large item shoppoing trips, has plenty of power for acceleration and passing, and it handles better than my previous Mercedes CLK 320! Something to keep in mind about gas mileage is that you have to let the car break in! This car only got 14.5 MPG for about the first 3 weeks of regular driving, but the benefits were definitely worth the wait.

• 

  So Excited! - 2008 Volvo V50
  By rcdg - November 5 - 3:20 am

  Just picked it up. Love the car, feel safe while at the same time having fun. I drive approx. 2 hrs everyday to work and just love the car!

• 

  LOVE my car :) - 2000 Volvo V40
  By simplelife - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Fun, sporty car... has the space of an SUV without the poor gas mileage or higher price... great for all ages!

• 

  The Best Car Ive Ever Owned - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Mel - November 4 - 2:23 pm

  Im 53 years old and have owned a lot of cars, but none beats the 2000 Volvo S80 Turbo. I have no idea what the other people are talking about, but Ive had nothing but excellent reliability and pure driving pleasure. Ive owned the car for almost two years and drive it everyday. I get 21 mpg city and 25 highway. Short or long distance driving experience is nothing short of superb. The turbo is awesome, but I also own a 2000 Volvo S80 nonturbo, which is just as great (owned for 6 years and NO bad experience, just routine maintenance). I love my 2000 S80s. I will purchase the 2007 S80, but I wont trade in my 2000 S80s. Im keeping them.

• 

  XC90 Beats the competitors - 2018 Volvo XC90
  By Paul - November 4 - 1:25 am

  I, like many other owners of Volvos have owned other premium vehicles and most certainly cross shopped for the best value, durability and drive-ability before purchasing a Volvo. Having owned MB, Lexus and other vehicles I have always had a Volvo in the garage. This is my 13th and can honestly say that for all but 1 have earned my appreciation for durable vehicles. I have driven this XC90 for 6,000 miles both in good weather and bad and an equal amount of time in town driving and on the interstate. The following are my thoughts and pros and cons: PROS - 1) excellent drive-line (dont worry about this SUV only having a supercharged/turbocharged 4 cylinder motor. It is equal to or better than competitors 4 cylinder and some V6 motors ). Very strong engine with plenty of on ramp and passing power. Fairly quite even under hard acceleration. Shifts are smooth and it is hard to tell when the transmission is shifting. I found the car to be very well damped and smooth even though I have the optional 21 inch wheels. 2) MPG is as advertised so their were no surprises there. 3) ergonomics are in a class by themselves as Volvo has always been known for their comfortable seating and the XC 90 does not disappoint. Anyone owning German autos will know what Im talking about because seats in MBs and BMWs are like sitting on concrete and become uncomfortable after a couple of hours. Audi seats are a little more forgiving but not by much. The closest comfortable seat to a Volvo is Lexus. All controls fall easily to hand in the XC90. Second row seating is comfortable with the seat backs ability to recline, plenty of knee room and the foot-wells are large enough for folks wearing bulky shoes or boots. Third row seating is easily accessed but not much room for adults. 4) Infotainment - I found the SENSUS system to be intuitive and easy to use. Take the time to spend a couple of hours learning the system and you wont be disappointed in what is offered in the way of information, audio, wi-fi, climate control (all three sections) navi, forward and backup cameras etc. 4) Lighting - I really enjoy the LED headlights (swiveling) and fog lights angles. The fog lights illuminate to each side of the vehicle extremely well. The interior lighting is fantastic and I like the ability to change the colors as well as the strength of the lights. Back up lighting is superb. 5) Maintenance - It is great to have service covered vs paying huge maintenance fees. I have had the car back to the service dept one time for a software upgrade but other than that the SUV has been bullet proof. No rattles, squeaks or groans in the cabin. No problems with SENSUS. I call the cabin the "cone of silence". CONS - 1) SENSUS - sometimes can be slow to process upon initial start up. It can take up to 10 seconds for the software to wake up and all applications to activate. I wish the backup camera was not part of the infotainment system. Volvo would be wise to separate the camera from the rest of SENSUS. A minor irritant, but one nevertheless. 2) We like that there is wi-fi connectivity but set up through AT&T was not an easy on-line process. I ended up spending an hour or more via phone with a AT&T representative to get connected. Not much more to report at this time. Sounds like Im writing an ad for Volvo with so few CONs but truly for me this SUV is a delight to drive with no bad surprises. Most certainly the best built Volvo I have owned. PS: Friendship Volvo, Bristol, TN is one of the best Volvo dealers I have ever dealt with both stateside and while I lived in Germany. Matthew Ratcliffe, sales associate, is fantastic to work with and the service department is exceptional (they have serviced 4 of my other Volvos)

• 

  Certified used - 2002 Volvo S40
  By loberdorf - November 3 - 10:00 am

  Just purchased my S40 as a Certified used car in February. Granted, not alot of time for bad things to happen, but so far, so good. The S40 looks great, drives fabulously and I get tons of compliments.

• 

  Best vehicle so far (since 66) - 2003 Volvo V70
  By Chris C. - November 3 - 3:06 am

  The traction control and STC make this 4000 pd wagon more fun to drive than my previous 01 VW Golf . It feels so solid on the road .. I actually enjoy driving it very sedately and smoothly. Its computer gives me all the info I need..mpg,etc. And the trunk is HUGE! with 3rd row and BUILT IN BOOSTERS in 2nd row too..in LEATHER! Beats any minivan out there on LOOKS and MILEAGE.THE KING (or Queen..)

• 

  i think i got a dud - 2005 Volvo S40
  By shelly - November 1 - 7:56 am

  First of all, never ever buy a car from Pioneer Saab Volvo in Deerfield, MA. Im finally straightening the mess my dealer made- 2 years later. I love my S40. Its my first volvo-styling, size, mileage, ride...all works for me. In the last year Ive had many problems. One year after having the car the heat stopped working, it took volvo a month to get me the part and appt so I drove around freezing for a month, they had to replace a major motor part. Twice since July, my AC has stopped working and my radio also glitches all the time. Im debating selling because the warranty is going to run out soon, but I just love it otherwise--Im torn. Do the 06 or 07s have these problems?

• 

  Best Car in its Class!!! - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Dr.Patterson - October 30 - 2:00 am

  I have now owned my 1999 Volvo S80 for just over 3 years. It has been extremely reliable and a great car to own. The performance and reliability are outstanding. I shopped around for about a year looking for a luxury car. This is definately the best from the bunch. I would definately recommend the 1999 Volvo S80. I have absolutely no complaints at all! Drive one, youll love it!