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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  The Best Family Midsize SUV - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Chad Dimatulac - August 14 - 2:23 pm

  After having a new baby, my wife and I went looking for a better SUV with 3rd row seating. We had looked at Land Rover LR3 and Lexus GX470 but we settled with the Volvo XC90. Besides the excellent safety features of XC90 that my wife had strongly leaned-on, it had better gas mileage 17 city-23 hiway, smartly engineered 3rd row seating setup/folddown, middle seat booster conversion feature, premium sound, wider screen DVD (8.5in), ULEV-2 engine, and a luxurious ride. This is an all-weather and light off-roading vehicle with luxury that is more fitting to a family. The way this SUV is built - its a best buy for a reasonable price. But then there really is no price for safety for your family.

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  2000 GLT Keep It-Or You Will Miss It!! - 2000 Volvo S70
  By Ivan Lucas - August 13 - 2:50 pm

  I "tried" to incorporate a "9" in my ratings of perfect "10s" (to make it more realistic for non-believers). But there was not 1 particular category that I felt I should slight in any way. If anything the performance category it should be an 11, And the comfort a 12! If you own 1 of these cars (especially a Turbo) DO NOT SELL IT to purchase something "More expensive"(like I did). You will find there is NOTHING on the market (regardless how much you will spend) that compares to the comfort and performance this car delivers. The seats feel tailor-made. 0-60 and 1/4 mile times are also in V-8 territory. Dont believe me? -drive one. And as for gas mileage - the turbos RUN ON AIR! I get 28mpg.

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  From 06 T5 to 07 V8 Sport - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By Vic - Evanston, IL - August 11 - 1:56 am

  I bought an 06 T5 after driving a Honda Accord EX-V6 for 7 years and immediately fell in love with the Volvo fit and finish. I originally wanted a V8 but thought the T5 would get much better gas mileage - wrong! Then I saw the V8 Sport on the road and knew I would have one soon. What I didnt realize was how different the T5 and V8 Sport would be. The growl of the V8 is awesome, the Sport exterior and interior is phenomenal, and all the extras from the Technology/Climate and Convenience packages are to die for. Forget the others. This is the vehicle I will drive everyday for the next 10 years or so, no matter the price of gas - its worth it!

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  Bitter-Sweet Feelings for the Vovo V40 - 2004 Volvo V40
  By BrainEdge - August 10 - 6:23 pm

  On the first long trip, the engine light came up. Then again, and again. For the first 2000 miles drive, the car was 15 days in the dealership service bay. Then, the best feature of its turbo was not set right. The dash lights keep coming up every now and then without any pattern. Still not fully exorcised and the warranty is over. I will probably never buy a Volvo again, safety or no safety! If your car transmission dies suddenly on a freeway, I dont know how you call it safe or reliable. But only one thing I like about it, the peppy turbo charged engine. Muscle car drivers hate its guts!

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  3 years and counting! - 2008 Volvo C30
  By Jim in Quebec - August 10 - 1:36 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned (13 over 42 years of driving). Purchased by C30 in May 2007 - still love getting into it every morning to drive to work. Excellent gas mileage on the highway with the T5 and 6-speed manual - less so in the city. Very comfortable for me (510") but my wife (54") doesnt find it all that comfortable. As she says, Volvo makes their cars for tall Vikings. Handles very well on ice and snow. Many compliments on its design from other drivers.

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  Best all-around SUV - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By RBirns - August 9 - 10:06 pm

  Coming up on 3 years of ownership, so I guess this review is overdue. This is probably the best all-around luxury SUV available. Styling is just right-- not too big and boxy (Lexus GX), not too minivan-like (Acura MDX), not too feminine (Lexus RX), not to mail-truck (Mercedes ML). Looks very similar to BMW X5, which is a compliment. Ride is not as plush as a true luxury car, but better than most SUVs. Handling is very good. Acceleration with the 2.5T is ok at the low end, but highway passing needs more punch. Quality materials in and out. Only repairs were loose tie rod end (probably pothole) and dead rear wiper motor, both fixed under warranty. Mostly city driving getting 14-15 mpg.

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  Rare Volvo - 2012 Volvo C30
  By Annika - August 9 - 3:10 pm

  Quickly appreciating. Same styling DNA as current lineup.

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  First Volvo - 2004 Volvo C70
  By capteemo - August 9 - 4:33 am

  This car had been in an accident and had a salvage title, price right, but some concern because of that. However, once I put new tires and new engine mounts on the car (they had deteriorated in hot Florida weather) this car runs like new and is a pleasure to drive. Good pickup, great fun on an open winding road with the top down.

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  Love this Car - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Charlotte - August 9 - 3:26 am

  Just purchased my first Volvo and I love this car. The ride is so smooth and it handles very well. Its quiet and the sound system is wonderful. I really like that my kids can watch a DVD and play a game at the same time. Personally, this car out beats most of the SUVs of its size. It rides like a tank but has lots of power. The body style isnt as classy as other SUVs but this car speaks... Sophisticated. I think we made a great purchase...one that will last us a long time.

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  Best car I have owned - 2017 Volvo XC90
  By Jack - August 8 - 2:01 pm

  UPDATE: I am happy to update my review and I can only say I "Love this car". It so luxurious! Every time I get into it and start it I feel so good just sitting in it. It truly is a wonderfully designed automobile. It drives so smooth. You do have to be careful because it is so quiet and drives so easily you can wind up going faster than you should. I would highly recommend this car! I owned a 2007 XC90 and it was the best car I ever owned. It has 141,000 miles and still runs and looks like new. I purchased a new 2017 XC90 T6 fully loaded two weeks ago mostly because of my experience with my first Volvo XC90 was so awesome. it is beautiful inside and out, has all the newest safety features, has all the latest technology that a car can have, it has the best audio for your cell phone I have heard in any vehicle, and the list goes on.