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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  Beautiful but very poor exterior quality & electro - 2018 Volvo XC90
  By Eric M - July 18 - 4:46 pm

  I put a standard Saris trunk mount bike rack on the car that I have used on 4 other vehicles to take the kidss bikes down to the beach. On the way, the bike rack fell and I pulled over to find that the body panel had RIPPED! (Yes, ripped). Turns out it is plastic - not metal. I looked at the manual to see if it tells you that you cannot use a trunk mount bike rack. Not only does it not say that you cant use a bike rack, it actually warns you that a trunk mount bike rack may interfere with the rear view back-up camera. Volvo has flatly refused to do anything about the damage and the dealer has given me the name of a bodyshop who apparently does a lot of work on Volvos. I have also noticed that the quality of the paint or gelcoat is very poor. The electronics are constantly malfunctioning. They replaced my entire "module" (electronic dash panel?) within 5000 miles. I had to take it back again for more malfunctioning electronics. My friend has the same car and the same electronics problems. The rear seats stick and sometimes the kids cant move it to access the third row.

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  geatest suv - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By eee - July 18 - 8:30 am

  Everything is great about this car. The only thing that I would change is better instrument lighting and more electronic gadgets like an Audi or BMW. Kind of boring in that sense. Solid vault like doors.

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  T5has been great so far - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By TClarke - July 18 - 5:26 am

  Our three month old 2005 S80 was destroyed in a multi-car accident,with us taking five seperate impacts! 2 guardrails, 3 other vehicles. Confirmed to us the Boron steel safety etc. Replaced it with a new 05 XC90, 5 turbo. The vehicle has been great so far. 61,000 miles, and just replaced the Michelin tires. Right rear wheel bearing went out at the same time. Struts are about ready to go. I drive it hard daily @ 20,000 miles year. Fuel usage has been good for this type of SUV. My high was 24.1 mpg highway. Normal city 19 mpg. If you are not towing a heavy boat/other, this would be the engine to have, however they do not offer it this year. I would buy one again.

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  My Volvos affair with my mechanic - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Vicki Laidlaw - July 18 - 4:06 am

  After putting more than 275000 miles on my 92 Pontiac Bonneville (with no need for engine work - just liked to have brakes and tires), I decided it was time to retire the old workhorse and buy a little luxury. I bought my Volvo S80 at a used car dealership, where I noticed that the warning light for the airbag was on. The dealer said the Volvo mechanics could reset that sensor - apparently not! Turns out that Volvo put the airbag SENSOR under the drivers seat carpet. The used car dealer STEAMED that carpet, thus ruining a $1000 sensor. My cars now in the shop for the second time in three months. Volvo engineers ought to be taken out and shot for what theyve done to this car!

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  Great Combo - 2008 Volvo C30
  By Young 40 - July 18 - 2:26 am

  I spent many hours on the internet and many weeks preparing to buy this car. Our family has a minivan and needs an Accord but this car won me over big time. There are many practical reasons to get a Honda, but the C30 adds so much to my driving experience while maintaining a sense of class that it became a perfect fit. I am 40, but not ready to drive a 40 year old no matter how much "sense" it makes. The C30 has a simple but well built and easy to use interior. The exterior styling is very unique. The T5 mated to the MT is the way to go. Almost got the AT at wifes request but the MT was too fun to drive and brought the car to life even more. Chose the 2.0 for styling and audio reasons.

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  Grand wedding over, marriage begins - 2007 Volvo C70
  By Paulvo - July 16 - 10:43 am

  I thought I was getting a sporty, luxurious convertible; after 2500 miles, its just a reliable Swedish 4- seater hardtop convertible; Sporty- car is too heavy & the suspension is like my old mans ‘92 Buick Park Avenue; acceleration- good; cornering not tight; steering- too loose; also, it looks sporty for a Volvo, but come on, consider your baseline; Luxury- nice overall amenities, but there’s room for improvement (see comments below; also, no sunglass case, for $48K?!); Convertible- definitely an attractive European hardtop convertible with a unique 4 seater feature (it won’t be for long– BMW’s version launches in 07); no buyer’s remorse (yet), but I’m not sure I would repeat my choice

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  S80 2012 - 2012 Volvo S80
  By s80gal - July 15 - 6:16 pm

  My S80 is a wonderful car to drive. It handles nicely and surprisingly gets good gas mileage. The S80 has a quick acceleration. The braking system is nice on dry or wet pavement.

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  I dont think it gets any better! - 1998 Volvo V70
  By mrpresident911 - July 14 - 10:00 am

  1 year and 25,000 miles of ownership have been examplary. Now has 106k miles. Rims are gorgeous and easy to keep clean with OE brake pads. Just wax them and keep them hosed off. Love this car!

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  36K Miles - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Mike McNutt - July 14 - 8:30 am

  Ours is fully equipped with everything. We driven it 36K miles and really like the car. We have taken 3500 mile trips, and two over 2000 miles. I like the car as a daily driver as well. We have had trouble with the brakes, light coming on and the power assist, was in five times for the problem, but never a safety issue, just a nuisance. Avg. 20-22 mpg on hwy, 14-17 in town. The best 26mpg. Plenty of power for everything except drag racing.

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  Disappointed - 2007 Volvo XC70
  By rdw - July 13 - 4:53 am

  I leased this car in 10/2006 and purchased the additional service feature on it. The car has 26K miles on it and I need rotors, brakes, a new side view mirror, alignment, tires and horn. $1,100 to repair a car that I put $4K down on and have been paying $470/month ever since. Im really disappointed and will not get another Volvo.