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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  Great Value - 2010 Volvo XC90
  By Poppy - September 11 - 1:46 pm

  Looked at ML350, Q5, MDX, RX350 and X5. This vehicle was head and shoulders above the ML350. Each of the others had its strong points; but my wife chose the XC90 because she liked it best (it had the best overall visibility). Weve had it for almost 4 months now and have had absolutely no problems. The fuel mileage is lousy; but competitive with most of the others--14 in town and 21 on the road. It does use regular while the others require premium. The fact that the XC-90 is the least expensive of the bunch is real bonus.

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  s80 problems - 2008 Volvo S80
  By joe - September 9 - 1:50 pm

  2008 S80 bought new. So far radiator fan, parking brakes, radio, chassis bushings, brake booster leak.

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  Not there yet ..... Need more work . No reliable - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By rani sharma - September 8 - 1:30 am

  when the car came out and I reviewed it on line I was so happy that I got a car I wanted to buy . did a test drive and loved the car but center console is too cumbersome and will take some time to get used to. Was bout to pull the trigger but I read multiple reviews on lien about the software issue and poor costumer support of Volvo . One of my co worker who own it and he was Curs***** Volvo right and left when I asked him how his experience with the car. He has issue with the battery Darning for no reason and other software issue. I wanted to like this car so bad but with so may issue I decided to go with time tested Mercedes. Sorry Volvo I really loved this car and how it looks and technology but may be I have to wait for next 5-6 yrs before they fix the bugs . I owned a Honda for seven years and never a problem with it .

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  Great Euro Design - 2008 Volvo S40
  By Chris from NJ - September 7 - 2:03 pm

  I bought the S40 just as I was finishing college...its a great car and I am very happy with it. I went from a Toyota 4Runner(which I LOVE...if I could have both I would) and do not feel like I have lost much space. It looks and drives great and accelerates beautifully. Being 61" I need to put my chair relatively far back, limiting the space behind my chair. Therefore, if someone is sitting behind me, there is very little space. Thats my only issue.

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  misunderstood - 2004 Volvo V40
  By Danick - September 7 - 10:00 am

  North American People dont know how to appreciate a real good car!

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  Sassy and sexy for the mature woman! - 2013 Volvo C70
  By Ms. Lucy - September 7 - 7:45 am

  I purchased this vehicle because I wanted something that gave me certain feelings while driving. Safety, comfort, and dependability!!!!

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  Love/hate relationship - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Car guy - September 6 - 8:30 pm

  I bought this car with the intention of keeping it for a long time. With 64,000 mi. this car is the most unreliable (by far) vehicle Ive ever owned! I spent nearly $2000 at 60,000 mi. for service and repairs and 3000 mi. later the service light is on again. I am on the third main computer module (thankfully under warranty), ABS module ($1000), the throttle module left me stranded hundreds of miles from home. Ive replaced a wheel bearing, power steering problems and countless light bulbs repeatedly. Easily over $2000 in repairs alone, not including tires, brakes, regular maintenance, etc. Great when it works, but can no longer trust it! Will be replaced soon, not Volvo.

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  Dont think twice - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By John - September 6 - 6:46 am

  I have owned almost every luxury SUV, incl. Lexus, Landcruiser, BMW, Mercedes, etc. This is the best for money and may be the best period. No seat this comfy & supportive!! Im hard to please, but like it mucho. Chose the T5 over T6 b/c 1" smaller wheel rim= more comfy ride. Powers fine. Price is no object for me. This is a "steal". BUY IT---DONT THINK TWICE!!

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  sport tires to week - 2006 Volvo S60
  By ben - September 5 - 6:23 pm

  The wife and I love the S60. It makes her feal special when she visits patients. We love the quality and the safety for us and our daughter. The sage green is a pretty color, not to flashy, but elegant. Car is comfortable for the three of us and can hold all of my wifes nursing supplies in the trunk. It is a rolling ambulance. The dash is clean and simple. The radio can blast METALICA very well. The sport tires are very week and are not worth the money. The seats are the most comfortable I have seet yet and I have driven Lexas, MB, BMW, and others. I am kind of round and they support me very well. Being Sweedish drew me to the car, but the comfort is what sold me.

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  An excellent family car - 2006 Volvo V70
  By Christopher - September 4 - 1:43 am

  This is the first Volvo I have owned and I have never regretted buying it. The safety features offer peace of mind. The cars performance is very good and reliability is way above average. I have literally had nothing to do but scheduled maintenance + change 2 tires in 3 years. Legroom in the rear seat is cramped a bit for larger adults but teens and kids fit great. The integrated safety seats saved us about $400 because we didnt have to buy new baby seats once our boys hit 3 yrs old. I am contemplating a new XC70 now.