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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  Love it, with quips - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Caffery - September 2 - 1:13 am

  Purchased with 98k on it, now up to 187k, with about 30k just this past year. Like others, a Love/Hate relationship, but leaning more towards "love." General comfort is fantastic - supportive seats that you can sit in for hours, and the ride is smooth but never floaty. The engine is not a tire- shredder, but when you stomp on the pedal (esp. at low speeds), it can boogie, for sure. It always starts, and I average around 23 mpg, too. Interior ergonomics and control layout are also excellent, although some flimsiness (see below). AWD system is great - recently drove 5+ hours through a record-breaking blizzard and never lost an ounce of control. Lots of room for both people and cargo.

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  I love this car! - 2004 Volvo S60
  By LoriSF - September 1 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE this car! It not only looks great but handles fantastically. The ride is smooth and the car stays hugged to the rode when going around turns. Volvo has made great design improvements with the very elegant exterior of this car. I hope they keep this style for a long time. The seats are extremely comfortable too.

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  The Best! - 2004 Volvo C70
  By downesh - September 1 - 10:00 am

  Everything about it is great! I am constantly getting comments about how beautiful it is and what great lines it has.

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  GLs XC70 - 2007 Volvo XC70
  By EXC-2285 - August 30 - 8:53 am

  This vehicle is a great car, and saved lives twice. It always loves to get up and go and has almost been like family. They should not have redesigned for 2008. It has been through 2 5 car pile-ups, and saved my 3 friends their lives. This car is truly amazing. I would recommend Volvo to anyone looking for a life-saving vehicle.The XC70 is a beautiful legend.

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  I have driven Caddys , Alfas, Lincolns, Saabs - 2016 Volvo S60
  By s m - August 29 - 11:17 am

  I test drove Jag, Mercedes, Lexus , BMW , Caddy and quickly found out car manufactures design from the outside in where I think Volvo designs from the drivers seat out . Lets face it you spend 100 percent of your time in that seat and the passenger seat normally gets the second most use . The Volvo seat is by far the best , sound level the best , the new E drive engine blew me away . Such a sold car, drive it and you will buy it . They say the back seat is small but would not know and if it is buy the Inception it is a stretched version . I am getting over 37 miles to the gallon on the HW and around town 27 . Controls so easy to use and simple , the safest car on the road also . I am sold on Volvo

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  Poor Mans BMW - 2001 Volvo S40
  By Scott Bentrup - August 29 - 4:10 am

  I bought in Feb 04, and fell in love immediately. Suspension is nice and tight with a feel that inspires confidence, but in cold MN winters it gets a little rough. Drives like other European sedans (Audi A4, BMW 3 series). I did have some problems with rear drivers side door locks, but easily fixed. Did also have problem with fuel pump. Both would have been pricey, but I bought an extended warranty - which I would recommend. Minor finish issues also with drivers door console, but that was fault of prior owner. Gas mileage is a little low in the city, but on the freeway at 75 it still gets 30-32 MPG. Overall, it is a very fun car to drive, very sporty, looks nice w/spoiler, fairly reliable.

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  Fun, Safe, and Enjoyable - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By VOLVO XC60 3.2 AWD - August 28 - 10:40 pm

  Overall, this car is fantastic. It is fun to drive. It handles more like a car than an SUV. Tight turning radius. The city safety feature as standard demonstrates Volvos dedication to safety. The ride is smooth and handles well on the road in all conditions. The only problem is the gas mileage. Fuel economy is great on long open roads (at times I was getting in near 30 mpg), while city driving I get close to 10. This disparity is my only problem with the vehicle. I had an idea of this going in, which is why I am happy with my selection. Volvo did great with this car.

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  Good to Better - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Keith Peck - August 27 - 9:50 pm

  High quality vehicle; very large, needed to compete with the oversized vehicles on the roadways. Safety was the selling point, otherwise the CRV would have been the choice.

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  Squeaky and Breaky - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By vsm - August 26 - 10:46 am

  First 4 months: Overheated as Volvo didnt tighten coolant fluid hose at factory and all of the coolant leaked out. Nice early engine stress. Squeaky center console that moans and groans with every turn. Vibrating turn signal wires in wheel well (fun 8 hour drive). Squeaky center console fixed second time. Vibrating turn signal wires identified after third try. Squeaky center console fixed third time. Radio decided to play half speakers for 6 hours (on an 8 hour trip). Rear windshield washer used -"Im wet! whats happening?!"- dripped all over our 6 year old (inside the car, windows up, sun roof closed, in her seat in the second row). Leaked through the headliner. Still Squeaking! Joy!

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  Ergo Zoom! - 2004 Volvo S60
  By womangolf - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Just purchased this car from Garden State Volvo in Manasquan NJ who with David, my salesman gave me an amazing deal. I also own a Porsche Boxter but needed a winter car with AWD because of where I live. Much to my surprise this car goes like the devil! It must be the automotive industrys best kept secret, a safe, reliable car that goes way fast I have owned BMWs, Mercedes and Porsches and this is among my favorite! I can see a speeding ticket in my future