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 SUV but not atheletic - 2017 Volvo XC90
  By SKA - December 5 - 4:37 am

  We have very limited options for 3 row luxury SUV. Mercedes GLS is too big, BMW X5 3rd row is unusable. It boils down to XC90 and Audi Q7. Me and my wife both loved the exterior/interior of XC90. Eventually we ended up buying XC90 T8 Inscription with all possible options (MSRP was 85K, but we got good deal). Car is very quite and drives really nice and my wife swears for its handling. However I feel driving is boring. Acceleration is no where close to my Mercedes E350. May be I should not expect that but I want to let you know that dont get foll by 400hp rating. It is big/heavy car and you will notice it. It has about 15 miles electric only range and my wife loves electric only mode due to quietness (I feel it is sluggish in electric mode). in last 4 months I had to visit dealer twice. Once engine light came up and second because there is some rattling noise in center console. Dealer fixed engine light thing, but noise issue has not gone fully (it comes back only at certain speed). I feel it is due to air suspension and I have to live with it. I dont expect such thing in 85K car. If I have to buy again, I would buy T6, since it is 400lb lighter so will have better handling. T6 will be 15K cheaper too. Now it has been one year since I have this vehicle. It has made two trips to dealer for various issues. One for temp sensor gone bad and another for battery cooling pump gone bad. It was also making creaking sound at center console which dealership fixed by putting some extra insulation. Now I hope everything is sorted out and just regular servicing will be needed in future. I have grown used to its driving characteristics. Driving experience is best at Sports mode. Everyone gives compliment for its looks.

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  Expensive All-Weather Hauler - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By scottque - December 4 - 6:58 pm

  Have had this thing now for 10+ years and 90,000 miles. Went from primary car for hauling two kids to a third car that sits outside and is reserved for "dirty work". Have been lucky enough to avoid any engine and transmission problems but the cost of multiple failed wheel bearings, sway bars, and ignition coils have really mounted - especially for a relatively low-mileage vehicle. Still, the fact that we still have this car says a lot about it. It is extremely versatile, in terms of hauling people and stuff. It has always started and never broken down. And one thing about the Swedes - they know how to make safe cars that can drive through snow! Ten years old and does not look dated.

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  2006 C70 - 2006 Volvo C70
  By STEVE - December 4 - 5:00 pm

  This is then bestr car I have owned. Powerful easy to drive, responsive to road conditions. top down is easy

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  Excellent Vehicle - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Alanruns - December 2 - 2:00 am

  Buy this car! I bought my S80 T6 brand new back in 1999. I drive a lot and Im less than 1000 miles from the 100,000 mile mark. All I can say is this car is incredible. In the 100,000 miles, Ive had one minor repair covered by warranty. This has been better than any other car Ive owned. The car is still tight without any annoying squeeks or rattles. Im not acustomed to keeping a car this long but Im not parting with my T6. I cant find the words to express how comfortable the seats are on long trips. The power and performance is mind blowing with the twin turbo. Not a single complaint with this one.

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  VOLVO XC90 - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By SLMCPA - December 2 - 2:00 am

  NICE SOLID DRIVING CAR, BUT DISSAPPOINTING OVERALL. I HAVE HAD TO TAKE THE CAR BACK FOR WARRANTY WORK NEARLY EVERY OTHER WEEK. TIRES WERE WORN OUT AT 10,000 MILES. SEATS DROP ALL MEMORY IF MORE THAN ONE DRIVER USES THE SAME KEYLESS ENTRY. FIELD OF VISION ON THE SIDE AND SIDE VIEW MIRRORS IS VERY BAD. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES. WE HAVE THE THIRD ROW SEATING OPTION AND THE INTERIOR FEELS VERY CRAMPED IN ALL THREE ROWS. RUBBER GASKET UNDER ROOF RACK IN THE FRONT MADE A TERRIBLE HUMMING NOISE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.

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  Update - 1998 Volvo S70
  By pandabear1 - December 2 - 1:17 am

  Since writing my review in May 2006, I have replaced the ABS module again, the rear shocks, and the O2 sensor. The AC and thermostat both stopped working in 2009. I replaced the power windows around the same time because one day, they just "fell" into the doors. In 2008, the key in the ignition wouldnt turn anymore and had to be replaced. In order to make sure Id just have 1 car key, all the door locks had to be replaced as well to make it uniform. I cant even describe all the sounds coming from behind the dash of "loose parts" jiggling around. Given that after 14 years, there are only 112k miles, this car has had a ton of issues.

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  Follow up - 2007 Volvo V50
  By ChrisM - December 1 - 2:16 pm

  Had the car for just under a year and 16000 kms (10,000 miles). No mechanical problems at all, I have only done two scheduled maintenances on the car. My longest trip has been about 500 kms (300 mi) and the car performed very well. In town mileage has been around 24 mpg (US) and highway mileage in the mid 30s. Service at the dealership has been very good. The factory Continental tires were replaced at 36000 kms and replaced with Nokians. The factory tires never seem to last too long. Still very much enjoying my first Volvo.

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  Nice Car - 2004 Volvo V70
  By Sporty Auto - November 30 - 7:26 pm

  Hard to find parts out of the dealer,part to expensive. Avoid unnecessary and expensive dealer service. Their support is less than desirable.

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  Dont buy unless you are very wealthy - 2000 Volvo V70
  By Karen Ball - November 29 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car after totaling my 99 Subaru Forester. Huge mistake. Impulsive buy because I had no car for 2 months trying to find a subaru. Finally bought this piece of garbage. It is in the shop every month for something. Check engine lite is permanently on because there is always something about to die and they do like to give you fair warning. I am so disappointed in the price and frequency of repairs for this car. I dont trust it to start or keep going once it has. O2 sensor, catalytic converter, all belts, oil shield, tires, battery, you name it and I have replaced it.

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  finicky ride - 2007 Volvo S80
  By 10gallon - November 29 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my S80 (V8) from a local Volvo dealer and overall have been quite pleased with the car. I didnt really consider any other semi-luxury vehicle, as I was a valet at a major casino in the past and really got to experience everything under the sun. However, be prepared to constantly be addressing small issues, this car is very finicky. Premium fuel is a must to avoid "mis-fires" cauing the check engine light to come on. The TPMS system requires at least 38lbs or it will activate. Rear-view mirror was recalled by Volvo and the new one seems just as bad (wont stay put). Also, this car should have Sirius and Bluetooth as standard equipment. Dont get me wrong, I would buy again!