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 car! - 2002 Volvo V70
  By Jiajing - June 16 - 10:00 am

  I bought my V70 2.4T 2 weeks ago. I have enjoyed every aspect of it. It is so easy to drive. You just need a very light tap to make it stop and go. Very comfortable.

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  A Beautiful Car - 2002 Volvo S80
  By Mike Cazzogrande - June 14 - 6:43 am

  I bought this car for my wife recently and she loves it. It replaced her 2001 Mercedes E55 AMG which was also a nice car. I bought this car brand new just as I do with all my cars and it has a great drive, great traction and great look. I have no complaints to Volvo but I would love to see them make a bigger sedand(around BMWs 7-Series and Mercedes S-Class size) because I have 5 children. But this car is great for those who are looking in the $40,000 price range and up. Volvo was always known for its luxury status to the rich and finally they changed their boxy style. This car has a collection of safety devices, but hey thats Volvo for you.

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  great performer overall - 1996 Volvo 850
  By jsrobinow - June 13 - 2:32 pm

  We have owned this car since new, now in the family 16 years. Has been very reliable comfortable and versatile. Manual gear box makes it fun to drive. Station wagon configuration makes as useful as any large SUV with vastly better gas mileage and nicer road handling. Odometer gear failed and I replaced the gear with an e bay source that included instructions on installation. ABS module failed and internet lead me to a place to buy a rebuilt one and installed it myself. These are two classic weak spots of this car that are easily fixed by the owner. Fuel pump did fail and was replaced. We now have 181K on odometer. Still running well. This model supports the legendary Volvo value

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  More Bang Less Buck - 2004 Volvo S40
  By rcnst - June 12 - 10:00 am

  I dare you to test drive this car. You will be astounded and amazed. I was. I mean after all, its a Volvo. The brands not exactly the spicest salsa on the shelf. Yet, this car has the horsepower and acceleration of a BMW 330 and A4 3.0 for thousands less. The interior is innovative and clean, while torque steer is negligble. And during the winter months youll laugh at all those "rear wheel drive" snobs stuck in a snow bank. The brakes are sure stopping, and its safer than a pillow. My wifes a little speed demon who loves this ride and the times are few and fortunate when I can take this baby for a spin.

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  Good sound vehicle - 2000 Volvo V40
  By Dan - June 11 - 4:50 am

  Original owner - I have enjoyed this Volvo V40 more then any other auto I have owned. It has a few more problems then I expected for a compact wagon in this price range, but none have been serious and performance is excellent. Fast when you want it but economical - 24 mpg city/highway. I put on a hitch and haul my small boat with no problem. Ive loaded it heavy with bricks, mulch, bags of rock, you name it, no problem. It has great personality and has done everything I have asked with no major breakdowns - what more can you ask. 82,000 miles and going strong. Uses no oil, spark plugs clean, no leaks, no sign of any major issue.

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  Great Car - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Ted Feldman - June 9 - 10:50 pm

  So happy I purchased the S40. It is fun to drive, great style and performance. I am actually getting the gas mileage that was posted on the window - 21-30.

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  Goodbye Lexus Rx350 and Hello Volvo XC60 - 2015 Volvo XC60
  By scott - June 9 - 7:18 pm

  Our sticker starts with a T6 AWD, then adds the Climate Pkg, Convenience Pkg, Sport Seats, Proximity Pkg, 20" Titania wheels, Metal flip-down cargo cage, Harmon Kardon sound & Piano Black inlays, totaling over $50k. It was a lease turn-in with 3,000 miles (great story there) and we paid around $40k with an extended warranty. Lexus should buy one of these and just sit in it for a while. The ergonomics are top-notch. Every knob, every stalk, every bin just falls perfectly into your hand. The configurable dash is cool at first, but eventually you find one of three choices you really like and stick with it. The center stack is a bit over populated, but you get used to it, and once you locate what you need all subsequent operations are logical. The engine is sweet, and I mean SWEET. Zero turbo lag....max torque is ready and willing anywhere in the rev range. Couple that plant-you-in-your-seat acceleration with fabulous seats, and youve got an hours-on-end cruiser that is unequaled. Or a refined city errand-runner. Whereas the Lexus was dowdy and boring, the Volvo is crisp and entertaining. This is eye candy for CUV crowd.

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  Almost Superb! - 2006 Volvo S60
  By Brnintx - June 8 - 12:30 pm

  I couldnt ask for a better everyday driving car. It fast, comfortable, and safe.

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  A good move - 2008 Volvo V50
  By Dusko - June 7 - 6:00 pm

  After 5 E-class Mercedes this was a big step but Im not disappointed. For 50% of the price I have as much fun driving this car and I dont have to fear being stranded because of quality problems with electronics. The ride is firm but not harsh, a lot like a 3 series BMW. Ergonomics are a bit quirky and I could use more storage space up front. Fuel economy is better than my E500, but not that much! I miss the Bluetooth for the phone. Overall, no regrets

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  Best car Ive ever owned! - 2017 Volvo S90
  By tariq ahmad - June 5 - 12:36 am

  Im a cardiologist who drives quite a.re miles every year. Ive had an Audi and a BMW before and the S90 is hands down the best car Ive ever had. It is comfortable, luxurious, and has just the right amount of gagetry. Its far prettier than others in its class other than perhaps the jaguar.