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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  Not the car for me - 2002 Volvo S60
  By Mr. B - June 3 - 1:46 am

  I have had this car for 3 and a half years now and have more gripes about it as it gets older. There are bright some bright spots but it accelerates slowly (i run the car on premium and use synthetic oil btw) really gets slow after about 80, and has so-so handling. The car has left me stranded twice, things that have broken on it: the key would not remove from the ignition (dealer said theyve never seen this before), its AC turns on by itself when the car is sitting for over 40 minutes with no keys in it (dealer replaced the whole fan and it did nothing), the right side blows hot air and left side blows cold air and the dealer cant seem to fix it, the gas panel door has fallen off etc...

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  Try the diesel - 2008 Volvo C30
  By Dejuan - June 2 - 6:43 pm

  You Americans always make me laugh when mumbling and complaining about fuel economy and car prices. I have one of the first C30s diesel available (July 2007) 1.6 summum, 110 Hp, 0-100 (km) 10s, top speed 195km/h List price 30.000,- Euro, is like 45.000 US dollars. Diesel per liter euro 1,50, is like US dollar 2,25 The comfort and handling are great. For the US market I would suggest the 2.0 diesel (136 Hp) or the D5, (165- 180 Hp) Why not try diesel instead of petrol. In Europe a petrol car is almost a sin.

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  Solid Car and Fun to Drive - 2002 Volvo S60
  By Andy - June 2 - 10:00 am

  Steering and braking are excellent and have spared me from at least two accidents. Love the acceleration and handling at highway speeds. Leather interior is comfortable and has stood up exceptionally well to the wear and tear of two young boys. Will definitely buy another Volvo but only after this one wears out.

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  Great car! Lousy ride - without air shocks - 2017 Volvo S90
  By MOHAN DAVID - June 2 - 7:38 am

  Great car in many respects but the ride is terrible [especially in the back seat] unless you spend an extra $1500 on air shocks. As a Volvo owner, who was shopping for a Volvo, I was disappointed in the S 90. The styling is superb and so are all the conveniences. I have decided to go with a car that gives me a comfortable ride.

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  Upgrade - 2008 Volvo XC70
  By tevis - May 31 - 6:56 pm

  Ive only had this car for a few weeks but I love it. Selected it, narrowly, over a Subaru Outback Limited because of the extra rear seat room and trunk space. This car has a beautiful fit and finish, both inside and out. The controls are well laid out and ergonomic. It lacks good acceleration but the engine has real power on the highway. Its no sports car, but drives nicely, is quiet, and luxurious. After suffering through five years with an Audi Allroad that was a mechanical nightmare (just say no!) I am expecting a much better experience with this car. So far, so good.

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  No Warranty - Run Away - 2001 Volvo S80
  By mwein - May 30 - 5:16 pm

  Purchased this used, low mileage, previous owner kept it in great shape. Around 40k miles it started falling apart. Leaking coolant, bulbs burning out, electrical issues (sunroof/electronic locks would go out/come back for no reason), alternator blew, interval maintenance is expensive. Its been in the shop the last 2 weeks because it doesnt want to start, no error codes and no one can identify the issue. Huge turn radius, it handles like a pig when navigating drive thru windows. Thankfully we extended our warranty otherwise we would be broke!

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  Absolutely amazing! - 2012 Volvo S60
  By nelaco - May 30 - 6:42 am

  We love this car! We also have an XC90 from 05. Both cars have been extremely reliable. Just follow the regular maintenance intervals and youll be fine. Fairly inexpensive to maintain if you do your own work. This car drives like a dream. The handling is amazing. Performance is great, and even better if you switch to Sport mode but no need really. Beautiful cabin.

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  Eds Survey - 2015 Volvo XC60
  By Rosalie Goodsell - May 30 - 4:30 am

  Check in with Edmunds!

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  Not Your Fathers Volvo - 2004 Volvo S60
  By sesvs43 - May 29 - 2:00 am

  Without a doubt this is the best sports sedan for the price, hands down. With all factors considered (performance, comfort, quality, reliability, technology and cost of insurance), there is not a luxary sports sedan on the road that can touch it for the money. I have previously owned BMW and Mercedes sport sedans. While BMW and Mercedes provide a better car in some areas, when you factor in the whole package, these cars cost thousands (10-20K) more to outdo the S60R. From a performance standpoint, go ahead and drive one, it will leave non high- performance V8s and most 6s staring at the S60 Rs tail-lights. Its a wolf in sheeps clothing!

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  Over 100,000 miles and Still Like New! - 1999 Volvo S80
  By BigDog - May 29 - 2:00 am

  I couldnt be any happier! I purchased this car when it was about a year old with 27k miles. I now have 108,000 miles and the thing still runs like new. This is a good solid car and very dependable. With all the mileage Ive put on the car, Ive replaced one strut tower bushing and thats all! Ive had no repairs other than that one item. Ive done the regular maintenance at Volvo and its very reasonably priced. After a 100,000 miles it still has no squeeks or rattles. If I were to buy another S80 Id go for the T6 version. I drove one and it left me stunned! I couldnt believe the performance on that car! The S80 is a great choice!