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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  Just got a new one! - 2008 Volvo C30
  By wulfy - May 11 - 6:43 pm

  I love the solid "thunk" sound when a door closes. The rear seats are hard to get into, but with them down, the back is suprising roomy. Yes, it will run on either premium, regular or I guess "mid-grade". For your 1st 1000 miles, get a full featured premium. Then after, you can use regular for getting around town or Premium if you want performance. This car has plenty of ooomph. Unless you are street racing you dont need more. It manuevers like a dream.

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  Very Satisfied - 2003 Volvo S60
  By Miss Satisfied - May 11 - 3:56 pm

  I had a Honda Accord, a Lexus, Acura TL before this car and I LOVE my Volvo S60!!! I always wanted one when they got rid of the boxy body style. I get lots of compliments. It has a great extended warranty 5 yrs or 100,000 miles. I just wish I gotten the heated seats option, but from reading these reviews they dont sound warm enough. Overall, a great buy and a good investment as any when it comes to a buying a car.

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  Fantastic - 2008 Volvo S40
  By James - May 7 - 10:00 am

  This car is fantasic. I have the 5 cylinder 2.4i and I love it! It has more than enough power to speed my car up to equal that of anyother car on the road. I live in the north and it does wonderfully in the snow. Being a Volvo it is extremely reliable, and it perfect for the new driver in our family. It is my 16 year olds car and we feel very secure with him driving this car around. The car just has that safe feel about it: the doors are thick and heavy, there are numorius airbags and rides very smoothly. Interior is beautiful, the car is fully loaded and the sterio is louder than anyone could stand to hear. I believe this is the new luxury car.

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  Volvo for"life" - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By 2004 Volvo XC90 - May 6 - 3:33 am

  This by far is the best vehicle we have ever owned. Highly recommended for its safety and reliability. Just drove to FL and back from the east coast and it performed outstanding. Averaged just over 23mpg. My wife loves this vehicle which we purchased for "Life".

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  My 2nd Volvo - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By NMF in Indy - May 5 - 7:13 pm

  I always said when Volvo came out with an SUV, Id have one. So, when it became necessary for me to trade in my old SUV, the first place I looked was Volvo. The entire experience of putting together what I wanted, right up to the delivery which was earlier than anticipated, was great. Ive owned 3 SUVs prior to the XC90 and I can honestly say it far out ranks the others in most areas. My only criticism would have to be on the placing (and lack) of cup holders. Everything else gets pretty close to top marks.

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  Volvo = Bliss - 1998 Volvo V70
  By C&J4Volvo - May 5 - 6:53 pm

  In November of 2001 I sold my SUV and took the keys to my very first Volvo. My partner and I purchased a 1998 T5 wagon - we love it! The seats are amazing the sound system rocks, and the fuel economy is way better than the SUV. Like many other people weve had the ABS Control Module and Speed Senors replaced, however both were covered under our extended warranty.

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  Still Thrilled - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Still Thrilled - May 5 - 8:03 am

  Its been 2 years and 33,000 miles since taking delivery overseas through Volvos Overseas Delivery Program. I enjoy driving it today just as much as I enjoyed the thrill of that first time in Sweden. No major mechnical problems. Have had some minor early-production- life issues solved under warranty and when the dealer was stumped, Volvo North America rep stepped in to help. Gas milage improved significantly after 10K miles and avg in the 20-24 range for me now, with about 30/70 city/highway driving. Never see it drop below 18mpg anymore. Plenty of power for Rocky Mountain driving. I really enjoy this car!!

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  Great vehicle 2.5T has plenty of power - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By mj10990 - May 3 - 4:46 pm

  All around terrific vehicle and terrific value compared to other luxury SUVs. Comfort, safety, beauty, performance are all outstanding! The 2.5T is more than enough power. The V8 is overkill-I drive over two ski slopes to get home and have never felt a lack of power. We narrowed it Between the Acura MDX and the Volvo. We got a better deal on an 06 Volvo than on a 05 MDX. Better looks, better gas mileage, better comfort and Acura has horrible dealers. AND we love Volvos politics (the $500 donation to HRC was great)! Finally-18-20mpg is outstanding for a 4500lb vehicle!!!! For comparison, Reviews say The MDX is getting 13-17! XC90 is averaging 18-20!

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  Volvos Mussle Car - 2002 Volvo S60
  By Whispering Jack - May 3 - 3:20 am

  This is the highest performance sedan I have ever owned. The acceleration is second to none in its class. This is combined with all of the safety and comfort features one would expect from Volvo. The result is not your fathers typical Volvo.

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  Great Car - Confusing Tech - 2018 Volvo XC90
  By Stuart B - May 2 - 12:34 am

  Overall I love the 2018 XC 90. The design beautiful and the comfort is excellent. The performance is good our previous SUVs were the BMW X5 and the Explorer Sport. The one frustration for my wife and I is the Volvo Sensus Infotainment System. Its not bad but its also far from good, as compared to BMW iDrive. The system would be much better if commonly used functions like climate control had their own physical buttons. The temperature and seat/steering wheel heat controls are slow to respond an lack haptic feedback. Its not possible to use these controls without taking your eyes off of the road.