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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  Luxury, Safety, and Utility-- Volvo V70 - 2002 Volvo V70
  By Tracy Boswell - August 4 - 9:40 am

  This car has surpassed my expectations! Whenever I have to rent a car, whether it is a new SUV, minivan, or luxury sedan, I am always delighted to return home to my Volvo V70. It drives smoothly, yet you can still feel the road to assist with driving decisions. It handles beautifully in all types of weather. And it has an extremely comfortable interior--especially the leather seats! I will definitley be a repeat Volvo owner!

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  Horrible Turbo Lag - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By thorcen - August 4 - 1:33 am

  This car has some very nice styling but for an almost $50,000 car it has some very real problems. It has the worst turbo lag that I have ever driven, I test drove a 5 cyl. model but bought the T6. When the defrost is on, there is no heat on the floor, so if you need to have it on, your feet will freeze. The ride and comfort are great but with the problems that I talked about, I would not recommend it to anyone.

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  XC90 V8 - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Sheryl - August 3 - 4:06 pm

  Have shopped every 3 row SUV out there. For us, this one hits a home run. More useable interior space than a Sequoia or Escalade, due to folding first, second and third row seats, safety features unmatched by any other , the most comfortable seats I tried and a smooth, easy ride made the decision clear. The V8 is a pleasure to drive. It is smooth, crisp and powerful. The interior is among the quietest of any Ive been in.

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  Best Car I have owned yet - 2013 Volvo S60
  By hashmd - August 3 - 3:54 am

  My previous car was a top of the line 2006 Chrysler Town and Country. With the kids finally grown, I wanted a nice sedan to replace it after my son wrecked it. Of course, after a wreck, you want something safe. This car was the perfect balance of luxury, ride, performance, and gas mileage, all on REGULAR gas! Other luxury performance cars are strictly Premium grade gas. And this car passed the newest type of crash test at the IIHS which Mercedes, Audi, BMW didnt pass at all. Acura barely passed. Do other cars get better performance specs? Sure, but they cost noticably more. BMW gets better mileage, but again at higher purchase price and premium gas.

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  >Sorry I bought one...:(< - 2004 Volvo V70
  By Lemon - August 2 - 8:13 am

  Im sorry I bought my Volvo V70R. Why? Nothing but "Problems". Its been in the shop almost every month since I got my lemon and Im tired of it. Volvo in general has poor customer service and they just dont care. The workmanship is poor for such a $$$ car. Outside window rubber curling, brake problems, lots of electrical problems and the list goes on. What is too bad is that the "lemon" drives well, handles well, is comfortable, has lots of room. Volvo has lost a customer, because of incompetence and terrible customer service (both National & Local). I WILL be selling my Lemon soon and NEVER looking at a Volvo again.

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  Personal Comments - 2000 Volvo V70
  By Keri - August 1 - 4:46 am

  Now that the car has reached 100,000 miles, it seems to be having more problems. First, the air conditioning stopped working and now the ETS light is coming on and Im not sure what the problem is there yet. I havent been happy with the dealership servicing, as they charge way too much for what they do.

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  Funnest car Ive owned yet! - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Justin - July 31 - 10:46 pm

  I am a 24 year old college grad that needed a car that had curb appeal, but performance! I owned a 2003 S60 2.5t AWD but had found this car being traded in by the last owner when I was changing the oil! Its my best purchase yet to date. I have the areo ground effects package with 18 inch rims. I did a few performance upgrades and tunes, so its definitely not stock. Im pushing 438 at all wheels however I have 487 torque! Runs 11 seconds all day long. Great sleeper!

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  Inexpensive, Fun to Drive, Great w/ Gas - 2003 Volvo S40
  By ArmyWife1971 - July 31 - 10:00 am

  This car is fun to drive, nearly like a sport car, but without higher insurance costs. I love the way it gets up and the comfort for the driver. I do not like the wheel adjuster for the passenger seat. For me this is really a two person car because the front passengers are EXTREMELY comfy. The rear ones are just ok. Also, what happened to a trunk light? Im on nearly 30k miles in less than a year, no problems with the car at all. Overall I am pleased. I must say my once loved SUV is now parked while I zip around in a fast but safe car.

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  Boxy but Good...Think again! - 2003 Volvo S60
  By Scott_740 - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Being a newcomer to Volvo, I was guilty of stereotyping the brand based on its prior conservative looks. Once inside the cabin, I was impressed with the build quality and comfort of the front seats. The interior layout is ergonomically friendly and the choice of materials and surfaces are attractive and sporty (the wood is a great touch!). All of that on top of eye-catching exterior styling and enough zip to surprise many BMW and Mercedes owners at stop lights.

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  Volvo for Life - 2004 V70R - 2004 Volvo V70
  By RollNR John Miller - July 28 - 12:40 am

  This car is a great all purpose vehicle and HIGH performance for the money. Where can you get a car that will exceed 140 mph and transport 10ft pieces of pipe inside with 4 people. The ride is as good as the road you are driving on!! You have the feel of control at all speeds. The factor of Safety was never lost with this car. This is my fifth Volvo since 1988. The wagon V70R is a sleeper on the road.