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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  New Standard for SUVs - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Swedishsmitten - August 19 - 8:08 am

  Very simply this is a great automobile. We had been a Jeep Grand Cherokee family for 20 years but needed a 3rd row. Base suspension is great. Very smooth and firm, which means it does not feel like a boat. Check your tire pressure when you first get the car. Ours had 45 psi which we found out it quite common as they overfill in Sweden so the tires do not flat spot in shipping. They should check it before delivery but ours was missed. I think some of the rough ride comments are caused by this. After correcting this the ride is amazing. Seats are the best I have ever sat in with great lumbar adjustment. The power is fine. 316 horsepower from a 4 cylinder engine is amazing.

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  Beware ! - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By SUSAN GILLIGAN - August 16 - 1:50 pm

  Bought in fall 2004.Replaced transmission @ 1800 miles. Third transmission just installed at 6500 miles. Had to replace radio control buttons on steering wheel & i never use! Radio was cuttung out.Drive shaft rubbing on muffler, metal scrap in drip pan.Now replacing brakes after they replaced the 2nd transmission.Very leary about next problem!

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  Good Car - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By OLDDOG - August 14 - 10:00 am

  This car is billed as a wagon, but it has the advantages of an SUV. The big secret or surprise is that it has almost as much ground clearance as the Volvo SUV (only .07 of an inch difference).

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  Frustrated - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Ccsbtm - August 14 - 10:00 am

  In the last six weeks we have had 4 major system problems; brakes, cruise contol, a/c fan and automatic transmission. We have no confidence in this vehicle and Volvo USA is basically useless. Once you buy it you are stuck. Now when we go any sort of distance we take our five year old Toyota rather than our new $45,000 Volvo. I think that says it all.

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  2004 Volvo XC90, Almost Perfect - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Jennifersalz - August 14 - 10:00 am

  Looks great, drives great and has all the ammentities one would want in a luxury car. It is tops in safety and has more room inside than other more expensive midsize SUVs. Lots of power!

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  Hated it - 2001 Volvo S40
  By not very happy - August 14 - 1:50 am

  A follow up on a previous review: Now I am at only@ 43k miles, transmission sometimes mis-shifts, service light always comes on! Check engine has been on and off for the past year! Both cup holders have self-destructed! Very strange noises come from engine compartment. Forget about holding coffee in the coffee cup holder because a) it will spill all over radio and console and b) it blocks radio and most of console controls.

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  Wow, This T5 is Awesome - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Patrick - August 13 - 5:03 pm

  I flew to Houston to pick this baby up. It was a two day trip home and I couldnt wait to get behind the wheel the second day. Ive never felt seats so comfortable. Some road noise is heard from the wide tires and rough patches are felt through the steering but thats to be expected from a sports type sedan. This car is solid, not one rattle or squeak. The steering is tight. I notice no real turbo lag and if there is any, the car makes up for it quickly. Punch it at highway speed and youll have no trouble passing just about anything. For $995 you can upgrade the ECU and increase the hp from 257 to 318 and the torque from 258 to 328. This car is fun, fast and comfortable.

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  Best SUV I have owed thus far - 2009 Volvo XC90
  By Jo - August 12 - 10:00 am

  The best SUV in terms of size, look and gas milage I have yet owned...Very classy and great to drive

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  My XC90 V-8 AWD - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Jim Woods - August 12 - 4:40 am

  I took this vehicle hunting across very tough and rocky terrain. It performed very. Back on the Highway it was great after all that. Also it performs well during a recent ice storm. Several other vehicles were in the ditch and other places but bot even a slip.

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  Sadly Engine Scrapped - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By Christine Farmer - August 11 - 1:56 am

  I loved this SUV so much I retained the previous owners name for her, Lucy. She was great the first 3 years I owned her. She rode well, was comfortable and I felt safe since I drive a lot of highway miles. She has approximately 142,000 miles on her now. Unfortunately, this year after a replacing the transmission and serpentine belt, for $3500, some strange noise began last week. I drove her straight to my mechanic. Heres what they told me: inspect locking pin after removal, if locking pin is broken after removal, the shaft has worn into the bearing position, engine must be scrapped". Sadly, I dumped $3500 into her now will hope to recoup at least some of that selling her parts.