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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  Strong - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Jean - January 13 - 6:53 am

  I currently have around 4500 miles on my 3.2 XC60 with AWD. Ive driven it through a typical New England winter and found it holds the road well, even in heavy winds. I feel more confident and comfortable driving this vehicle than any other Ive had. Highway driving is fun, because the ride is smooth and comfortable.

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  2010 at 80K - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By cannice - January 12 - 5:24 am

  Within 2 months, Ive had significant repairs that should not happen for my vehicle.1.Both front axles were replaced. 2.A month later, determined that my windshield adhesive deteriorated causing a leak. This leak wreaked havoc to my airbag/sunroof sensors, sunroof motor and required full floor interior replacement. Ive incurred significant costs due to issues that should not have happened. Extended warranty does not cover glass issues. I expected higher quality from Volvo..very disappointed.

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  My new volvo XC70 - 2016 Volvo XC70
  By John Sibilia - January 12 - 4:25 am

  Picked up the volvo about three weeks ago after driving a BMW530 for twelve years. Decided to lease the car in case I missed the sporty feel of a sedan. However, after a few weeks I really like the convenience of the wagon, more room for the dog, golf clubs and hitch on the back for the bikes. Electronics are simple and intuitive. I really like the wifi hot spot feature in this 2016 model. Comfort is excellent compared to the beamer. The only thing I dont like is the low gas mileage but I knew this would be the trade-off with the four wheel drive. With gas prices low and living in NJ, I was willing to give up gas efficiency to feel safer especially when it snows. So far, Im very happy with this car.

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  Hold out for a T6! - 2008 Volvo XC70
  By lindsayg - January 9 - 12:59 pm

  My 2008 XC70 was comfortable, reliable, safe, and VERY roomy. I liked it so much that I just bought a 2011 XC70 T6 (the Turbo model). My few "issues" with the 2008 were that the suspension was air-ride and was therefore unable to be customized for a tighter ride, the Tiptronic transmission was too slow to react and the brakes were too whimpy for the weight of the car. ALL those issues have been corrected in the 2011 as if they read my mind. However, with a good set of snow tires, my 2008 NEVER got stuck, and we had 2 winters of 2-6 foot snow storms. I went out on roads that hadnt been plowed, through plow piles at the end of my driveway, and it never hesitated. Better than my Jeep!

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  Fun Well Built Car - 2000 Volvo S70
  By weavy - January 8 - 10:00 am

  The Car is a pleasure to drive everytime I get Behind the Steering Wheel. Its very entertaining to drive, and has a very playful agressive stance. The engine is very smooth as well as the transmission. I would recomed the car to anyone who needs a nice sporty sedan.

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  IS IT WORTH IT - 2002 Volvo S60
  By Michael Lopes - January 8 - 10:00 am

  I do have to say this car is very stylish and fun to drive. But, I have had many things go wrong with this car at only 55000 miles. The front wheel bearing needs replaced at a wopping $1200 and both rear and left front Link Rods need replaced at $400. As you can imagine I am not to happy with this as it is no longer under warrenty. According to Volvo Service, this does not happen often. When you spend this kind of money for a car this is one thing you do not expect. Therefore I do not give this car a thumbs up. I am just afraid this is a sign of what is to come as the miles continue to grow.

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  Great car but lacks detail - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By refugee2k - January 8 - 10:00 am

  runs great. very happy but not very family oriented. in the process of trading it in for mini-van. passenger cant get back to the rear seat between isle.

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  One Sweet Ride! - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Mike C. - January 8 - 6:23 am

  I did a lot of research before deciding on the Volvo S60. I now know, after just 3 weeks, that I definitely made the right choice! This is the most comfortable car Ive ever owned. The plush leather seats just suck you right in. The driver and passenger areas are very roomy and comfortable. The back seats have no leg room, but thats not an issue with me. Ive found the climate control system to be quite nice. My wife always likes it cooler than me, so the dual zone feature is perfect for us. The performance is awesome! Ive heard others complain of turbo lag, but I dont get it. The low pressure turbo responds very quickly, so I dont experience any lag at all. I love this car!

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  4 Years - 100,000 miles - 2000 Volvo V70
  By danegirl - January 7 - 7:07 am

  Bought this car used 10/2006 - 82k on it. Now Im up to 181,775. Other than faulty trunk latch had no real issues until 2009. Had to replace driveshaft ($750 DIY). Other than eating up tires it really was a good car until no one caught the leak in the transfer case ($1,700 bad mechanic/$780 dealership fixed). ABS went bad but as eariler - Victor Rocha is a GOD! ($125). If you can do some of the work yourself I highly recommend it. The complicated stuff - make sure you KNOW that the mechanic who is working on it can actually fix it properly or just suck it up and go to a dealership. In So. Mich. go with Sesi Volvo. One final word of advices - if you hear a noise DO NOT IGNORE IT!

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  Double trouble - 2008 Volvo S60
  By 2xvolvoowner - January 6 - 9:30 am

  We own both the XC90 and S60and have been frustrated with both vehicles. Both have seen more than their fair share of the service department and the lack of concern from Volvo has been discouraging. In two years of the S60, we have had to replace the ignition switches twice. The emergency cable never really engaged properly so it had to be adjusted as well as the sunroof at a cost. A faulty ABS contact reeel and front axle shaft had to be replaced due to recalls. The headlight washer fell off and had to be replaced twice. As if we didn’t feel nickeled and dimed already, we now have to replace the Fire Trap Housing not covered on the warranty. We are very disappointed.