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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  Tried and True - even in a box - 1999 Volvo S70
  By Nancydrew1970 - January 31 - 10:00 am

  I grew up in a family where 3 of our 4 family cars were Volvos: 240DL; 760 Turbo and some long wagon. This car is my first Volvo (not counting the 240 I drove at 16). Originally I thought I would want the S40 but it was just entirely too small and Ive always been a "box" bodystyle fan. The S70 has the right amount of leg room, head room and hip room. My ownly concerns: electrial. On my drive home from the dealership I encountered a check engine light and the turn signals stopped working. I hope this isnt a trend. Glad I bought the extented warranty to 2006.

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  What are you waiting for - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Natsdad - January 31 - 10:00 am

  The 2004 Volvo XC90 hits a home run in my book. The car has everything you could want in ANY vehicle, it just so happens to be a SUV. First rate styling inside and out , fantastic fuel economy 18/24,all the safety features you could ask for at a price,that while not the cheapest on the lot, puts most of the other so called Luxury vehicles to shame.The best Navigation system out there.Ive had 3 others before and not one can match it for ease of use and accuracy.

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  Eats Wheel Bearings - 2002 Volvo V70
  By run4fun12 - January 30 - 12:26 pm

  This car has had 6 wheel bearing replacements in 130,000 miles. Spoke of record with an engineer at bearing supplier. Said the bearings are not adequate for parts of North American market. Inner wheels fill with mud and harden creating vibration when driving. I dont recommend this car if you live or travel on dirt roads.

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  A wonderful CAR - 2005 Volvo XC70
  By Paulette Patterson - January 29 - 8:10 pm

  Ive had this car now for a month and it handles quite nicely. The mileage is great compared to my mercedes 230. It is very roomy and the special feature of the metal grip is wonderful for the elderly when they are trying to get into the car.

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  Nice Car But Dont Count on it to get you There - 2017 Volvo XC90
  By Doug Funston - January 29 - 7:51 am

  Mine is a virtually fully loaded T8 Inscription. It looks, rides and performs (when it works) beautifully. However, mine has been wrought with electrical/computer problems from the get/go. It routinely spits out warning lights on various systems from ESC, engine, 12 volt system. It has been in for repair (i.e not routine mtce) in one year more than my 2006 Mazda has been in its lifetime. I am in my 60s and have owned many vehicles and this one has generated more warning lights in its short life than ALL my other vehicles combined. Half the time software update is used by the dealer as the solution to my problems. They almost never know what the update is supposed to solve. My navigation system broke down on a cross country trip and required the dealer to reboot it. Even my Tom Tom can be rebooted manually by me. Finally replaced the module for the electric motor that drives the rear wheels claiming it was dragging down my 12 volt system and causing all these spurious computer generated warning lights. The car worked fine for a couple of months and then one day it was completely dead (12 Volt) wouldnt even unlock the car. Dealer claimed my less one year old 12 volt battery was faulty. It was replaced. So today 3 months later a new warning light "12 volt system service required" has illuminated. My issues electrically/computer are clearly still unresolved. I cannot recommend this vehicle for its poor reliability.

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  Like V70 2.5T - 2004 Volvo V70
  By Rich Tebbetts - January 29 - 5:26 am

  Nice car. Got used in 2010 with 91,000 miles. For major repairs only had to replace radiator in2012. Still doing well at 122,000.

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  So far, so good - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By amy - January 27 - 11:10 pm

  Ive had my 06 for 16 months now but before that had an 05. Just test drove an ML 350 from Mercedes and I must say I prefer my Volvo. Granted the ML had a few features that were nice but overall, my Volvo had much more comfortable seats and more features for the price, i.e. dvd system, memory drivers seat, etc. I also have much more cargo area in my Volvo and because its a bigger car I have more legroom and just feel safer. Close the doors on the Mercedes and do the same with the Volvo and youll know the difference. My only gripe so far with the Volvo is the cheaply made stereo speaker units in the front corners. Should be better for a 50K+ vehicle.

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  Superb - 2010 Volvo XC70
  By Dbone - January 27 - 4:53 pm

  This is an extremely well put together vehicle. The perfect car for those not concerned with badge flashing (bmw, merc, etc)...A very understated luxurious ride...This car is literally an S80 inside...Same car with a cargo area... Cant say enough about how impressed I am with the quality of the ride and fit and finish. Fuel economy could be better but I knew this going in.... Sounds like a vault when closing the doors. Read comments about sloppy handling by some. Not the case with the adaptive suspension. I added 19 inch Volvo Erakir wheels as well so Im sure this improved handling too... Avoid the base 3.2 engine like the plague. Anemic compared to T6, which is very refined.

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  Great SUV - 2012 Volvo XC60
  By Andy - January 23 - 6:39 am

  This is a great purchase I made. The only thing I dont care for is the MPG but knew about it going into it so no big deal.

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  Completely SATISFIED! - 2006 Volvo S40
  By Molly S. - January 22 - 1:00 am

  From the test drive, purchase and every day drive to work. I LOVE this car. It has truly been a wonderful purchase.