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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  2007 Volvo XC90 V8 - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By Larry - May 19 - 3:40 am

  Traded a 2001 BMW X5 that I thought was the best until I test drove the Volvo. So far, getting about 20 mpg with the V8...much better than I got with the 3.0 in the BMW. Handles as well as the BMW since Volvo re-tuned the suspension in 07. Great ride. The Dynaudio stereo with the Sirius is awesome.

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  excellent all around vehicle - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Tyler - May 18 - 9:40 am

  We now have 65K miles on our black V-70 T-5, and appreciate more and more each day. With the optional sport seats, we can drive for 5 hours pain free. The car drives like a luxury car on the freeway, but handles like a well-tuned sports sedan on the back roads. It has incredible mid-range passing capabilities. If driven under 80 mph on long road trips it will cover 525 miles per tank. The only down side of owning this car, is the tire life on the optional 17" wheels (20-25K), and they arent cheap. It is a kick in the pants to drive, can hold 5 people and their luggage, or fold the seats down and it can swallow an antique side- board. Its a sleeper hot rod, family hauler & truck!

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  V70R- bargain performance - 2004 Volvo V70
  By bart - May 17 - 7:20 pm

  Its a great car and a great highway cruiser but ditch the stock tires which only last 15K and get some pilots. I had an audi allroad before which had better build quality but the v70r seats are the best in the industry and the mileage is much better here. the ride is rough.

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  Scandanavian delight - 2013 Volvo XC60
  By jbaril - May 17 - 1:10 pm

  Though I wish I could have plumped for a Platinum or R-Design version, my SUV, which has Climate and Tailgate packages, as well as remote start, will do just fine. The only thing I really will miss is Homelink and possibly the fog lamps. And, aesthetically, the wood on the center console would have been nice. Car is very comfortable. Sport mode is eager and even more so when the DTSC is turned off. Wow! Quick! Heading to the mountains and snow this weekend!

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  Volvo Man - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Q - May 16 - 9:23 pm

  The car is enjoyable enough. I stink at driving and dog my cars and its still going great at almost 70,000 miles. I would not recommend the car, buy a Honda its cheaper and more reliable. But if you really love Volvos its not too bad.

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  AWESOME SUV! - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By mBot - May 16 - 1:23 pm

  Leased our 08 XC90 V8 AWD with Premium Package and Bi-Xenons in Feb 08. Best car weve ever owned! 24,000 miles on it so far and love it. No problems! Perfect size......spacious inside, 3rd Row if you need it / lots of cargo room if you dont. 2nd row slides fore and aft to adjust legroom where its needed most. Excellent interior materials and quality. Drives like a dream. Yamaha-built 4.4L V8 is a ROCKET and has tons of passing power, but will get 22-23 mpg on the highway if you set the cruise at 60-62mph. Yes, this is AWD:) Handles rock solid in the snow if you put snow tires on it. Great car.......were definitely buying it at the end of the lease

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  Volvo C70 - 2006 Volvo C70
  By Elaine - May 15 - 11:33 pm

  I have 2000 miles on my car and I have already had the cable in the convertible top replaced, the A/C compressor replaced and I am waiting for a new fuel pump to arrive. The headliner, which was damaged when the cable broke will be replaced in the Fall. Needless to say, I am not thrilled.

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  Volvo S70 T5 - 1998 Volvo S70
  By wf - May 14 - 7:00 pm

  Overall solid car. Fast runner. For a sedan, the Turbo really screams. Front tire traction becomes a little unsteady under extreme acceleration. Good in the snow. Looking at other reviews, had some similar problems, frequent bulb changes, leather door panels bubbled, some minor engine sensors replaced, lot of front wheel brake dust, wheel rim quality could be better, leather steering wheel gets gummed up easily. Front air dam is too low for most parking lots, gets damaged easily.

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  Watch out for transmission problems - 2002 Volvo S60
  By roadrep - May 14 - 6:41 pm

  I bought a 2002 S60 before doing my research. I didnt know that the 01 and 02 years had transmission problems. I would up with a $4000 bill for a new transmission! The lesson I learned was.....do your research. There was plenty of information on the internet about this problem. I wont do this again.

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  The most reliable car Ive ever owned. - 2003 Volvo V70
  By ginia - May 14 - 7:43 am

  What an auto! Have regular maintenance performed, put in gas, and away you go. Replacing the sport type tires was expensive but other than that, there has not been one equipment failure or maintenance problem in almost 7 years. People who dont know Volvos think the wagon is new and are careful not to slam car doors into it. It gets 25 mpg in town and 31 on the highway - better than my 2009 S80.