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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  Not so Happy - 2002 Volvo S40
  By kurt ericsson - November 17 - 10:00 am

  I have replaced brakes at 12,000 miles, and was told by volvo this is normal. Light bulbs are constantly out amd head and tail lights are also constantly going out. Many idiot lights coming on on the dash board. Great car to drive, but very quirky, and has been to the dealer for service on a monthly basis. I would not recommend.

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  Poor navigation in great car - 2018 Volvo S90
  By Hector Espinosa - November 16 - 7:21 am

  I own a xc60 r design 2010, the guidance software has not been upgraded since 2012, I gave it one more try w this fabulous s90 all the extras, the navigation is not much better, I hope they will keep it updated, maybe in a city that does not update roads but not a week goes by it does not take me the wrong or long way at least once or simply cant find address. Terrible, good high tech car poor navigation.

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  Volvo Buying Back My 2016 XC90 Plug-in Hybrid - 2017 Volvo XC90
  By Lynn - November 14 - 8:18 pm

  My first indication of problems to come was the check engine light was on when I purchased the car. It took two days to resolve originally and then it recurred several more times, which required a visit to Volvo each time. I have a love/hate relationship with this vehicle. I love, love, love the interior design and features. There is great mood lighting, an excellent sound system, comfortable seats, classy styling, touch screen, AUTO PILOT (the best thing ever in Southern California traffic - Ill never buy a car without this feature again), parallel parking assist, second row seat adjustment for larger/smaller passenger leg room and much more. Twice my car auto braked and likely saved me from accident, so thank you Volvo, but many other times as I am driving in a residential street it dings loudly with an orange bar code. It falsely alerts me and sometimes even breaks slightly, that I am going to hit a parked car that I am no where near. It scares me each time it does this. My moon roof poured water in the second row of my car when I took it to the Costco car wash. This fix (replacing the moonroof and making adjustments) took about a week. I have had multiple issues with temperature control systems, both requiring extended visits (about a week each time) at the service shop, while they ordered parts and made repairs. My seat belts, seats or whatever squeaks as I am driving down the road. Its like nails on a chalkboard. Ive been in several times for this and now I just give him. My quiet Volvo riding experiencing now has me twitching at the sounds. I have continuous issues pumping gas (they made a repair for a check engine light on a fuel related issue, just not this issue) where the pump clicks off and I cannot tell if my tank is full. Im scared to keep pumping as gas will spill out, so I stop and fill up at another gas station or another occasion. Volvo offered to buy my car back and it has been a very smooth process, so much so, that I will be purchasing a 2018 XC90 Plug-in Hybrid. I am hoping they have worked out some of the glitches. Fingers-crossed... Update, 1/8/18!!! I have been in my new 2018 Volvo XC90 Plug-in Hybrid Inscription for several months and I reached 3,400 miles before my check engine light came on. What a huge disappointment! As luck would have it, my thermostat needs replacing (a 3-5 day repair estimate). This is EXACTLY the same issue as on my 2016 XC90 Plug-in Hybrid. You can’t make this stuff up! Buyer beware of the mechanic/computer problems on this car. They are real! My service advisor told me that they haven’t seen this issue on other 2018 models yet (I am one of the first buyers in my location of this model year).

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  T5 - 2001 Volvo V70
  By volvo lover - November 14 - 10:00 am

  Love this wagon . Had 850T5 love that one . no one can do a wagon like VOLVO.

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  My Sports Car Replacement - 2006 Volvo V70
  By V70 R AWD - November 13 - 10:40 am

  We are pleasantly surprised. We had to find a family vehicle to replace the not so family friendly 03 Porsche 911. My new replacement vehicle is a wolf is sheep’s clothing: fun, fast with room for our new addition (our daughter) and the family dog. I was not expecting the performance that is provided in this car from a Volvo, not to mention a wagon. As it stands now, I don’t even miss my beloved Porsche. Interior is well laid out and all functions are easy to operate. As for fuel mileage, average 26.1 mpg; this is higher than the 25 mpg advertised in every review I’ve read thus far. Love it!

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  Great R - 2007 Volvo S60
  By Relmid - November 13 - 3:03 am

  Wonderful driving experience. Compared it against the Acura TL, BMW 3 series, hands down the Volvo is the car to own.

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  Strongly recommend - 2004 Volvo S80
  By John Blaze - November 13 - 2:00 am

  Overall this car has been a pleasure to drive, and has made me feel much more comfortable about driving on the road with the fleet of SUV tanks. The inside is comfortable and spacious, and the seats are soft and luxurious. The S80 has a super smooth ride, and handles like a sports car, so I get a good feel for the road. Its lines are sharp and it has a more unique look than other luxury cars. The two biggest problems I have are the acceleration and the side view mirrors. You need to exert too much pressure on the gas pedal to move the car from a stand-stil. The side view mirrors are a joke, they are so small.

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  Excellent sports wagon~! - 2001 Volvo V40
  By SoJung & Michael - November 12 - 10:00 am

  The Volvo V40 sports wagon is an incredible package that looks great, runs smooth, and handles all the twistie curves which performance driving demands. The interior is comfortable for both driver and front passenger. The rear seats are adequate. Cargo area has safety net, variable belt fixtures and cover for hiding cargo. And of course it is Volvo safe to protect your most precious cargo, YOU and your loved ones.

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  Our Best Car Ever! - 1998 Volvo V70
  By BKM - November 12 - 10:00 am

  My family purchased a used 1998 V70 XC Wagon and we have absolutely no complaints. The ride is phenominal, especially in snow. Aside from oil changes, we have yet to visit the repair shop. This is our second Volvo wagon (last one was a 94 850). If youre looking for a versatile, powerful, sporty vehicle, youll like the V70 XC.

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  30,000 mile review - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By North Bay - November 12 - 9:05 am

  Just completed 30,000 miles. Despite a couple of electronic glitches, coupled with 2 recall notices, all of which were resolved during the normal 10,000 mile service intervals, I have to say that I am highly impressed with this vehicle . Bought from new and added every available option aside from the air-assist suspension and to be honest, the ride is fine. Quality of interior materials is top-notch. Not the most technically savvy individual though still managed to work out the majority of the screen based functionality within a couple of hours. Bottom line is that this is well built, stylish SUV that provides an amazing level of comfort combined with a strong sense of safety due to the numerous features that you would expect from a Volvo. In addition, with the rear seats down there is a serious amount of storage capacity, though should you be looking for a seven seater, the XC90 can accommodate without individuals having dislocate limbs to fit in the back seats.