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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  Exceeds expectations - 2015 Volvo V60
  By stew19 - May 20 - 1:52 am

  After driving BMWs, Audis, and Lexus, I have been delightfully surprised by my V60. It drives and performs very well, is quiet and very comfortable and looks great. I dont understand why people continue to buy SUVs and crossovers, which get poor mileage and dont perform as well as wagons.

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  Former volvo lover - 2001 Volvo S60
  By John - May 19 - 8:20 am

  I started with a 122s, then a 240. Loved them. Not this car. Bulbs constantly burning out from day 1. Dealer replaced rear control arms at 30K. Since then weve replaced another $2000 in suspension parts. Problems with air conditioner vents on hot days. They close, even though cold air is still present. Door lock system sometimes fails to lock the passenger door. Will never buy another Volvo.

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  Never wanted a Volvo til now! - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By seansmother - May 17 - 4:10 pm

  I always thought Volvos were pretty ugly, and most of them were, but when I saw this, I did the research, and finally bought, and love it!!!! Had a couple problems which dealer fixed quickly (CD player, keys, a few minor recalls), but other than that, this is a great, great vehicle!

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  Great package for sporty ride - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By R Driver - May 17 - 1:43 pm

  Its tight and very comfortable. You can feel the road much better compared to the non-R, but dont expect a Porsche. This is still a cross over. So why pay extra for the R? Besides the design elements that are obvious, its all about the drive. This is a great car for the driver who wants to feel the road, have less body roll and tighter steering. For the passengers, they may find it a bit rigid off the highway, so if your passenger has influence over the purchase, bring them for the test drive. Your also going to have to be more careful with those 20" rims - and tires will be more expensive. If you drive a T6 and think its the same as the R. Think again. Drive it and decide.

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  Enjoyable Swede Steed - 2008 Volvo C30
  By hotX3 - May 16 - 7:33 pm

  We bought this on the Factory Delivery, plan and my wife was nervous about driving through Norway, so I got the pleasure. Lots of power and sharp handling, especially around the mountains. You can drive under all conditions for long periods without aches or fatigue. Mileage is decent at 25 overall with auto. Great visibility too. It drives at up to 80 mph with no perception of being pushed at all - the speed control wife didnt even know to tell me to slow down.

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  Few comments about the v70 xc awd - 2000 Volvo V70
  By Bongo - May 16 - 2:56 am

  Luv the car. Snapped it up from a private seller. Few comments: Good: great get up and go with the turbo, cozy seats, great paint, durable car. The car growls with the reminder of "I am a 2.5L Turbo but i want to sound like a 5.5L... so shove off"! Bad: check for rust on the interior side of the retractable sun roof (bad design), somewhat of a strange leak.. oil? antifreeze? turbo? (oh oh),.

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  A family of Volvo drivers- - 2004 Volvo S80
  By Christopher Chao - May 14 - 3:04 pm

  i bought this car at a Volvo specialist center in 2012 with 125,000 miles for just 7,998. I was going to use it for a year, due to a short term job in New York, so I didnt really care about what it was. My mom drives a C70 and told me to buy the car. It has been absolutely fantastic, now in 2015 we have 156,000 miles on it and its still going strong. There have been some expensive maintenance costs (150$-550$ services) and also suspension and axle components (1000$ over the years) but the thing to remember is that its European and our X5 costs 3 times more to maintain. For such a nice car Im willing to pay some more. It is important to note that I go to a local Volvo service specialty shop, and NOT A DEALER. Prices are about half what I would pay there, and even more savings for used parts. Also this car is ultra safe, my two kids learned to drive in this car, and this holiday season I plan to give it to my oldest... And of course as a replacement Ill be sure to buy the new XC90. The best thing about this car is the amount of small features that really add up: price, gas mileage (I get 35 on i40 even when the epa says 26, and yes I actually calculated it along with the trip computer), safety, (there are 6 giant airbags and stability control is an option fitted to my car), cold starts (never had a problem in -20 weather, AV/heat( the best ever, Im never hot or cold for more than a minute, and the seats are so supremely comfortable. And thats all for 8,000$!!!! Be advised: the 2004-2006 models have a stronger reliability record than the 1998-2003 (preface lift model)

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  Waited all my life - 2016 Volvo XC60
  By New Mexico driver - May 13 - 3:59 pm

  All I have ever wanted was a Volvo. I could not afford the 90, but test drove it anyway. Bought the 60, even though I am a bells and whistles kind of girl. Boy did I settle. I live in the mountains at over 7000 feet and we get a lot of snow. Even without snow, my drive up the mountain is switchbacks. I need power and it needs to look good as well. Boy, was I rudely awakened. The difference in the 60 and 90 is HUGE! Ok, I got over it and took the 60. Empty nester was my excuse. Point A to B. The eco sucks. Restart is so loud. And delay on start up will leave you in a lurch, regardless of "turbo ". Ok turn off eco. Car surges. At a complete stop and it moves ar least a few inches more before complete stop. Please gage your distance. Less than 1000 miles and black sutt in tail pipes. Backup cam, $1200 add on stays on when in drive. Interior, excellent, luxurious, except when the passenger door does not unlock when you push button on drivers side door. I received a great deal for my trade in. Rebates and discounts were unbelievable. Customer service was impeccable. But did I buy a lemon or just need to work out the kinks. New Mexico driver

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  Disappointed - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By California Mom - May 13 - 10:00 am

  We bought this car planning to take long road trips. The seat back has real problems. It is very stiff leather, not conforming to the body like leathers weve owned before, Further, it is poorly configured for a shorter person...breaks in the wrong places and is unforgiving. Additionally, the headrest does not adjust. Small foot well(no room for purse and sit straight). Dual air conditioning is usual in many car of this price range. Navigation hard to use and hard to see v. in dash ones weve had before. Clock is unreadable by passenger.

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  Not Comfy - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Jimbo1234 - May 13 - 10:00 am

  This car is amazing, I really enjoy almost everything about it...the handling is great, the looks are wonderful, and the safety is second to none.