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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  5th Volvo - Best Yet - 2006 Volvo S40
  By 06_S40_Owner - October 9 - 8:03 pm

  This is the best Volvo Ive ever owned (240, 850, V70, XC90). It is extremely quick, holds a corner very well, very small turning radius and great fun to drive. I drove every car in this class and this is the best deal for the money. The new 06 Lexus IS feels like you are driving a casket, no sound, no feedback, no feel, wont see the accident coming. The BMW 3 is very nice but much more expensive when equipped the same and has such a vain "look at me, poser" quality not shared by Volvo. Acura suspensions rattle your jaw and bones when rolling over a pebble. This one wins by far just for the feel of driving it.

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  Atrocious Reliability - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Constant Agony - October 8 - 10:00 am

  During the first 2-3 years of ownership (during warranty period), no real problems. Thereafter, it has been a nightmare. Car is constantly in the shop for repairs. The "check engine" light is almost as constant as Miss Libertys--its always on. Problems include: A/C; gauges; water pump replaced; electric windows fail to work; radio quit; and those headlights--probably replaced ten times. Think twice before you buy or buy and get rid of before the warranty period expires. Never Again.

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  Update on T5 - 2001 Volvo V70
  By hieatt - October 8 - 10:00 am

  Update of prior 01 T5 review after almost 2 years. Still love car, except for minor problems faced by others. "Upgraded" Pirelli tires SUCK - tire performance average and durability terrible - replaced three tires that developed "bulges", repaired many leaks and they are almost worn out after 27K miles. Mechanical dash cupholder broke. Finally, thanks to "daytime running lights" that leave all the lights on all the time, bulbs burn out often - replaced a headlight, turn signal and brake light. Still, these problems minor and tire issue will go away after Pirellis replaced once and for all. Positives of this excellent car completely outweigh negatives.

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  The global exie 90 is 1 of the most unsafe cars on - 2018 Volvo XC90
  By Crsig woodland - October 7 - 3:02 pm

  Volvos technology screen is horrible totally User unfriendly and makes driving extremely hazardous worse than texting. Navigation is totally unusable voicing unrecognizable. I knew more about the car then the dealership Working with them was extremely frustrating ready to pull my hair out!! MONMOUTH VOLVO

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  99 Volvo Base in CA - 1999 Volvo V70
  By bigscrunchy - October 7 - 11:00 am

  Now I traded a 2003 S40 because my family grew and the brakes were suspect. I traded for a 1999 used Volvo V70 from a Ford Dealership in June of 04 thinking that since I already had an existing relationship things would go smoothly. I am still trying to figure out the bumper to bumper sales pitch. First 6 months were good. The second 6 months Ive dropped $1,500.00 on brakes (front/rear), rotors,transmission fluid and battery replacement. $200 for a battery cable? Ive had some issues with the key staying stuck in the ignition upon shutting off the engine. I am going to make a summer trip to the East Coast and see how this vehicle responds. Stay tuned.

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  Not true to its reputation - 2002 Volvo S60
  By kylecallahan - October 5 - 6:37 pm

  Volvo is a safe car, right? Thats what weve all come to expect. Careful, my friend, you are being mislead! Ive been reasonably happy; reasonably.... until now. Seems our 2002 S60 indicated a difficulty with the airbag system. No matter, right? It has a bucket of them, whats the big deal if one goes bad? Well, the fact is, when one goes bad, the Entire Air Bag system is disabled!n Go figure! The safest car on the road becomes a hulking death trap. Seems like an extraordinary design flaw, doesnt it? Not according to Volvo - thats what they intended. Inconceivable! Price to fix? Over a grand. Expensive junk, uncaring company, flawed product. Beware, folks. Reselect!

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  What else is there? - 2006 Volvo V70
  By happyR - October 5 - 9:46 am

  Cant be beat; it took a long time to find the manual transmission I wanted, but it was worth the wait. . Ive got a big dog and love to have a little fun while driving her around: the Volvo simply wins by default!

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  2005 XC 90 V8 - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By mf3681 - October 5 - 1:06 am

  Great initial quality. The V8 is a strong performer with decent in town fuel economy. The vehicle is still in break-in and I expect mileage to improve.

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  2009 V8 R-Design XC90 - 2009 Volvo XC90
  By Merzukhi - October 3 - 7:30 am

  Excellent performer. Excellent road handling. It is what the manufacturer promises you. This beast, under that deceiving dreamy looking eyes(headlights), really swallow gas when you press for performance. I am not complaining, just a statement because fuel is cheap here, so the petrol consumption doesnt bother me.

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  I do like this car! - 2003 Volvo C70
  By zouyi - October 2 - 10:00 am

  I do like this car!