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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  Underappreicated! - 2012 Volvo C70
  By hieatt - January 5 - 2:00 pm

  I spent long time comparing hard top convertibles, and I remain struck the the lack of awareness/appreciation for the C70 - as it ended up being a no-brainer choice from my standpoint. Priced up to $10K less than German competitors, while offering equal/better interior space, trunk space, safety features, comfort, build quality, reliability and styling. The C70 does give up a bit to its competitors in terms of performance - but with the Polestar upgrade it is more powerful than a 328i, and hardly underpowered. It doesnt have the handling of a BMW or Audi, but still fun to run through twisty roads and rides more comfortably. Overall the C70 has more going for it and is a great value.

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  Love this car. - 2000 Volvo V70
  By queen bee - January 3 - 6:33 am

  This vehicle has saved me several times on slick roads. Snow driving feature is great, as well as AWD. Gets through mud better than a jeep. Done wonderful duty moving back and forth from house to farm and summer home, also moving my father into a retirement home. Carries an enormous amount and the rear door is cut wide and high relative to the roof. And it looks great! Its comfortable to ride in, roomy.

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  Simply a great car - 2002 Volvo S60
  By GAJeff - December 30 - 5:56 pm

  Our 2001 Volvo S60 now has just over 12000 miles and we absolutely love the car. Having tried many others before we purchased the Volvo - I am 100% satisfied that the quality, looks, and performance of the S60 is better than just about everything in its class.

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  The truth about the S80 - 1999 Volvo S80
  By DocAdams - December 29 - 10:00 am

  Let me set it straight, for those of you that have issues with the S80, GET THE SOFTWARE UPGRADED!!!!! Its free and it only has to be done once. You will soon see with the new software, the 1999 S80 will become the most dependable car youve ever owned. I called Volvo and they really explained the upgrade to me. This car has whats called a multiplex system, and once upgraded, its more dependable than anything out there. Its like a new car with the new software. Definately much more dependable than Toyotas and Hondas. I now have about 50,000 miles and I wouldnt trade it for the world! I love it!

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  More than what it looks - 2003 Volvo S60
  By JCMoya - December 29 - 10:00 am

  I just got this car, so I dont have enough experience to comment about reliability. So far I have just excellent comments. The first thing that came to my mind when I bought it was "How people can prefer a Camry / Accord over this car?" Crazy! This car feels more powerful and spacious (front) that what is on paper. Its a perfect blend of sporty and comfort. The seats are by far the best I ever seat on. The basic Sound system is even better than the $1500 aftermarket that I installed on my Bird.

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  Its all good (but the rear view mirror) - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Volvo loyalist - December 27 - 4:03 am

  I purchased the XC60 to replace a 2002 Volvo S60. It took me no time to get used to a crossover. I get a lot of compliments on its unique looks and the build quality seems very high end . The attention to detail is excellent - e.g. double stitched leather. Overall I am very happy with the XC60.

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  Updated Review - 2016 Volvo XC60
  By david - December 25 - 8:02 pm

  Have a little over 11k miles now. bought bridgestone Blizzak tires just for winter and glad. Had huge snow and I used Volvo to make tracks night before I had to go to work as it snowed all night an kept it up all day. LOL no trouble car went right through and I was only one to make it to work period. Had to stay and worked day shift eve shift and mid shift, well that paid for my tires lol. Man those are good tires and not real noisy and on a trip they would go around corners fast and great, surprised me. If gas gets low car comes up with like 10 of the close gas stations in relation to my car, Nice. Not one issue of any kind so far. I like it a lot and AWD works fantastic and if want I can shift down with the shuttle shift and put in like second gear for bad areas of snow in my 200 plus yard driveway thats in woods and goes down hill over stream and back up hill it did fantastic with not one time did I hear a tire spin. So Im impressed i guess Switzerland knows a bit about snow. Saw a video where they race in it and in woodland setting, lol. They use a narrow type tire, I guess it gets down deeper in the snow for better traction. I have free oil change every 10k miles but I will get it done every 5k miles. Just me but I want it to get at least 350000 miles on it. I peeked in when the Volvo dealer was doing oil and man was spraying the unused oil funnel with some kind of clear looking stuff. Its so clean in there also. Never seen that before. I think he was cleaning the funnel? Well no issues at all here with my XC-60 AWD VOLVO MAJIC BLUE 5 CYL GAS.

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  Fun convertible - 2009 Volvo C70
  By Fin - December 25 - 7:56 am

  Smooth as silk when shifting this manual 6 speed. Excellent interior headroom, not a claustrophobic feeling like some front windshields give you in convertibles. The hardtop splits into three pieces which still allows for excellent storage in the boot.

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  Volvo S60 2.5t - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Lysa - December 24 - 2:56 pm

  I just bought my volvo. I LOVE IT!!! The only problem I have is control. It gets a bit squirrely when you put the pedal to the metal.

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  Awesome Car - 2004 Volvo S60
  By AvRick - December 23 - 10:00 am

  Just took delivery two days ago and I absolutely love this sedan. The fit and finish is next to perfect and it handles great. Its the quietest car Ive ever driven and although it only has the 2.4, it is quick and nimble enough for this 50 year-old.