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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  Turbo Volvo S70 - 1998 Volvo S70
  By RKL - June 7 - 10:00 am

  very reliable car, sporty, relatively quick and handles well for the price.

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  better than most - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By mabess - June 7 - 10:00 am

  XC is a very nice car. Electrical not Volvo forte- three times in to fix door locks which locked for no reason- dealer claimed it might be loose change in my pocket! Scorpion tires must go-very poor wear. Steering is too loose. With that said, Im picking up my new XC 04 end of month!

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  Great luxury car - 2009 Volvo S80
  By kamenal - June 7 - 9:40 am

  I have considered a 5 series BMW or a Mercedes E class, however when Volvo came up with $6,125 rebate last June, I could not ignore it. A Volvo S80 is a fast, supremely comfortable and well designed car. Perfect highway cruiser. Not as much of a drivers car as a BMW, but then again, you can relax and enjoy a smooth ride and responsive engine.

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  Very Happy So Far - 2011 Volvo XC90
  By copsdoll - June 6 - 4:14 pm

  I purchased my 2011 XC90 in July 2010. I had a 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor that was totaled and I wanted something even safer. (Endeavor held up well) I have been very pleased with the comfort, the added accessories and the overall drive of the XC90. When I initially read the reviews before purchasing it, I saw many complaints over the gas mileage. I have not found any difference between the gas mileage of my Endeavor and the XC90. I am happy with the gas mileage. The comfortable (heated) seats, the sophisticated look and other added features I didnt have in my Endeavor, make me very happy.

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  Great Driving Experience - 2011 Volvo C30
  By califas - June 6 - 7:42 am

  In evaluating a car, first you define the mission. No car can be all things. If you want a Corvette, you understand that it cant have the gas mileage of a Prius. This is the T5 C30 with 17 in wheels: A small, nimble car with an appealing and distinctive aesthetic that coddles the driver with excellent ride dynamics and great interior design. It is not trying to be a track car. It is 2+2 GT road car. It gets you through your driving day with a minimum of fatigue and a maximum of bliss. It has the quickness and agility to squeeze through traffic, yet still has a cabin that is quiet and comfortable. Plus, it feels like quality, it is nice to look at, and it is just fun to drive.

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  Never Again - 2008 Volvo C70
  By Brian - June 5 - 10:00 am

  I was never more excited to get behind of the wheel of this car. Its sexy in black with a white interior. Although the inside isnt much to write home about, the outside catches eyes. Thats about it. In 3 years, its been in the shop countless times...broken AC, heat, another issue with the engine. The top has malfunctioned 3 times in the last 2 months...twice in the last week alone. Not what Id expect for the cost. Contacted corporate and they were nice to send out some rebate coupons if I wanted to buy more stuff from Volvo. yeah right. Its looking the brakes need to be replaced too after only 28K miles. Id rather have a KIA

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  Electronics were the worst I have ever encountered - 2017 Volvo S90
  By Terribly Disappointed - June 5 - 5:39 am

  Volvo designed a spectacularly beautiful vehicle and destroyed it with an inadequate computer system. It was as if the entire car depended upon a Windows 95 operating system that needed defragmentation and rebooting every day. Systems froze constantly but at random, providing a bad entertainment system of a sort. Applications never worked. Mobile WiFi connectivity was usually beyond the cars ability (displaying a nearly-ubiquitous message of "No connection to service"). On my last drive the drivers seat moved on its own, the cruise control failed, the pilot assist failed, and the rear brakes (which had been replaced once) resumed their habit of bringing the car to a stop (when in reverse) with a lurch and a boom (as if I had hit something, which was never the case). I have driven a Volvo for 33 years and still own some older ones, but I do not think I will ever buy another one. Update: I traded in the vehicle and took the loss now as opposed to later. It was only going to get worse. Months later Volvo USA sent me a nice magazine, which went immediately into the recycle bin.

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  New S40 2.4i - 2005 Volvo S40
  By richard - June 3 - 7:26 am

  The vehicle handles at top speed and curves. However, the initial pick-up is a bit slow. The interiors are gorgeous, as well as the exterior. Good workmanship, both in and out.

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  Wed buy another....and we did. - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Volvofamily - June 3 - 2:53 am

  This car has been a joy ride....literally. No problems whatsoever and we just turned 105,000 miles. The only issue to date has been a factory recall on a throttle sensor. Rides smooth, great pick up, and has been a good car for long road trips. We upgraded to the XC90 for kids and our 75 pound English Bulldog (hope he can make the jump to the back seat). Well report on that later...

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  Dissapointed - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Dos santos - June 2 - 6:53 pm

  With gas prices as they are, this purchase was as much about fuel economy as was safety and styling. The EPA ratings say 22 city/ 30 highway. City driving we get 16 and highway 21. This is so far off the mark, I feel ripped off. The dealership just says there are variations. Other than using the AC, I drive as fuel efficiently as possible. I have no problems with our other cars. I bought this to help save money opn gas but I guess Ill have to drive my 7 passenger Toyota SUV , 8 cylinder,that gets gas mileage just shy of these numbers. Why is it some auto makers test their vehicles more accurately than others???