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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  Hate it, but guess Im lucky - 2001 Volvo S40
  By Hating it... - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Replace both brake pad sets at 31K ($330) - 90% worn and threatening rotors (no warning from dealer at 15K check-up); Head, tail and dash lights blown out; Turbo fuel line leaking; Poor customer service at dealer - Volvo of Carlsbad, CA. All, a mockery considering were talking VOLVO.

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  2.5T XC90 AWD Versatility, Climate - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By john_helen - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I love my truck. I have used it to haul 7 passengers and I have used ith with everything but the drivers seat flat to move cargo. Driving the XC90 inpsires confidence. The SUV feels nailed to the road and does not suffer from the tippy feeling of other SUVs. It also doesnt feel as big as it acutally is. Very easy to handle. The safety features were a huge selling point as this is primarily a family hauler. But it also was just plain fun for Dad to drive. More character then the MDX and mouch more value for your dollar then the Lexus GX. The X5 is more of a drivers car, but offered none of the versatility of the XC90.

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  VW Lover Falls for Volvo - 2008 Volvo S40
  By atmf96 - March 20 - 12:50 pm

  I recently bought my first Volvo in Dec 08. This car is absolutely gorgeous, both inside and out. The exterior lines are very clean, and smooth. It gives the vehicle a sleek design, even sporty. It is easy to appreciate from all angles. And the interior is extremely comfortable. Leather seats are very soft and smooth, slightly fitted on the sides so you fit nice and snug. The layout of the console is simple yet robust. There isnt an abundance of knobs and dials to confuse you. In addition to great looks, the car drives great. Its very quiet at highway speeds, and the hi-performance audio sounds great. If youre looking for a sporty sedan, with clean looks inside and out, this is for you.

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  Love those Volvos - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Rosey - March 18 - 7:43 am

  This XC90 is my third Volvo. I bought a new 1993 850 and put 200,000 miles on it without issue and sold it for what I thought was good money; $7500. I then bought a Lexus LS 400, which was beautiful but I just didnt feel as safe in it as the Volvo. I also spent much more servicing the Lexus. So, I bought a 1999 S80. I loved that car until my job determined I needed more space for samples. So, I bought a 2003 Ford Expedition... What was I thinking... Huge... Huge gas bills... after 10,000 miles... it was a truck... Why did I ever think Id be anything but a Volvo man for life. Volvo, you keep building them and Ill keep buying them. Im crazy about my XC90!

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  My 5th Volvo Wagon, My Last. - 2010 Volvo XC70
  By Endicott - March 16 - 2:23 pm

  Ive been a follower of Edmunds for many years, read many reviews, have had several higher end cars. Volvo has changed and Id love to talk to their CEO and tell him about the fall from grace. The new 6cyl. engine sounds like a vacuum cleaner and is too loud at cruising. Great seating. The transmission jumps when you are at idle. Several trips to the dealer for software upgrades; the Volvo tech also had it jump forward without applying the gas. My wife has an 08, five cyl. and is much quieter. Gas mileage is terrible- only 21 avg. on highway. This is not the Volvo of the past.

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  Problem free - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Marin - March 16 - 4:03 am

  Best car Ive ever owned. Superb for long trips. The only problem I have had is that the radio wont keep its settings. Others complain about headlight life, but mine were upgraded as part of a recall and have been trouble free. The interior has held up very well and people still complement the exterior styling. Obtain 22 mpg in mixed driving, 26+ on the highway. Replaced tires at 43,000 miles.

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  First of many Volvos - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By JessH.CO - March 15 - 3:50 pm

  We bought our XC60 a few weeks ago and WE LOVE IT! We researched nearly every midsize SUV in the market (Acura RDX, VW, Nissan, Infiniti, Subaru, Jeep, Honda, GMC, Mazda, Lincoln, Lexus, Audi, Mercedes) and we always kept comparing them to the Volvo XC60. We love everything about this car! We went with the T6 w. climate, premium, & convenience packages. We love the power and responsiveness of the T6. Other SUVs we looked at had an annoying turbo lag. The fuel economy isnt fantastic but we knew that going in and it hasnt disappointed. On a long road trip we average 22 MPG. This is our first Volvo and I know that it wont be our last!

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  Buy the extended warranty! - 2000 Volvo V40
  By oasis - March 15 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has a long litany of problems, from the indicators and lights failing, the a.c giving up twice, the turbo that failed at 30,000miles, the radio that is useless, the engine supports that collapsed at 40,000 and the interior trim that is now falling off....what can I say? DO NOT BUY A VOLVO

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  bold & strong - 2004 Volvo S60
  By raizin - March 15 - 2:00 am

  car feels strong, very quuiet --low road noise, the backside of the front seats is cut in to allow slightly more leg room in the back, car can be loaded with safety features. I enjoy the "W" (wet drive) function, STC (stability control). Just wish car was standard with all wheel drive.

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  S40d Out - 2000 Volvo S40
  By S40d Out - March 13 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned my S40 since March of 2000. Since owning it Ive replaced the brakes every 10,000 miles give or take a few, the bulbs are constantly burning out, the front cup holder blocks the stereo, I get poor gas mileage, and it seems to be in the shop all of the time. On the upside, the seats are comfy for a car its size, and it has a peppy engine, and its relatively fun to drive. Priced with options, it can run fairly expensive. Sorry Volvo, you need some work on this little one.