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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  No luck for me - 2006 Volvo S60
  By Sue - April 28 - 12:36 pm

  I was trying to save a bit of money so after doing much research, I turned in my BMW for a Volvo. In 4 months time, I have had 3 tire blow outs, replaced a rim, had a faulty passanger airbag that does not work(the sensor had to be ordered since the car is so new) and my ipod adaptor broke. I was tired of spending more time at Volvo service than driving the car. I was fed up with all this happening with a 4 month old car. Today I happily traded the Volvo in for a BMW which I know will be reliable and I am extrememly happy with my decision and my new car.

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  Couldnt be happier - 2006 Volvo S60
  By Jim - April 25 - 3:50 pm

  I have owned my S60 for three months, and have 2,400 miles on it. The car has performed perfectly, with no flaws mechanically or in its worksmanship. I enjoy the interior comfort, and the turbocharged engine, which really jumps when you punch the pedal. I get about 21 mpg in town, and 29 mpg on the open road. The car is agile on the road, feels firm, and gives a smooth ride. To me, its a much better car and value than competitors at Acura, BMW and Lexus.

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  Great Car - 2003 Volvo S60
  By Kirrannus - April 24 - 4:53 am

  Excellent touring car with good power. Drives well in winter with the DSTC. Steering column controls are easily accessed.

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  Hold off buying this car ! - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By SweetOldBill - April 23 - 4:46 pm

  Love my new Volvo XC90 when it starts. Beautiful inside and out, lots of great safety features, and a pleasure to drive. However, there have been severe software issues and most recently battery draining for no apparent reason when it sits. Each trip to shop has been 2 - 3 days, because their technicians are not fully up to speed and/or the software is too screwed up. They generally have to do a remote consult with Volvo engineers.. As I write this I am about to jump start it to take it back to the shop again, just a month after the last battery episode (they did a battery reset and then installed a new battery last time, but never did find the cause). Do a Google search and you will find dozens of other people with the same problem. Another issue is quirky navigation system. Usually reliable, but occasionally totally screws up destination city. My recommendation. Do not buy this car yet. Perhaps wait a year until Volvo gets their act together.

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  Most mileage is to the dealer - 2007 Volvo C70
  By momsfirst - April 23 - 2:26 pm

  Love to drive my C70, unfortunately, the majority of it seems to be the 50 miles one way to the dealer for the Check Engine light repair. Six times in 7 weeks, less than 5,000 miles on the car. Have a 16 hour road trip in two weeks, wish I had a right arm rest. The center console is positioned for a height of about 6, not my 56"

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  I have a bad feeling... - 1999 Volvo S80
  By lynnetta - April 23 - 10:16 am

  I have had this car for a year now and have been satisfied but recently small problems have been arising and I have a bad feeling about it. There is a warning about the emission system that is quite alarming and though the car was advertised as a gas saver Im averaging about 21 mpg. I love the car but am thinking about getting rid of it because for the price I dont feel it is going to hold up like it should.

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  Take it or leave it - 2009 Volvo XC90
  By sgring - April 20 - 4:20 am

  Nice vehicle- not great- 3rd row not really meant for adults- not a ton of luggage space either. A bit sluggish when accelerating. It has a heavy feel to it when you drive it. Could also use some more power steering help. Difficult to turn the wheel at times. My wife loves the fact that it drives like a tank. She feels very safe in it.

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  DEFINATELY a great buy - 2008 Volvo C30
  By Kate - April 19 - 5:43 am

  I traded in my 2005 Toyota Scion TC and said I would NEVER get anything but a toyota ever. WELL, I saw the C30, test drove it, fell in love and signed that day. It was one of those vehicles that you cant wait to get ahold of. Had a slight problem with the window gear but it was fixed right away. I feel safe and secure while driving and can "beat" most any car that even dares to try and race me :) Its small, unique, cute, fast and reliable. Every where I go, people ask what Im driving and want a ride. I feel amazing knowing I havent seen one of the C30s on the road since I first noticed them back in January!!

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  Fun car - 2007 Volvo S60
  By Bob R. - April 19 - 1:33 am

  Purchased the car with 1500 miles on it in September. Impressed with the comfort of the front seats although the back seat legroom can be a bit tight for those over six feet. Instrumentation is handy and functional. The car responds well in passing situations and seems to hug the road with no problems. No rattles or shakes noted to date. The design of the car is sporty w/o being presumptuous. I enjoy the fact the the car is not as common as the BMW and Lexus.

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  The Car for all Seasons - 2006 Volvo XC70
  By tjstew - April 18 - 5:16 am

  We love this vehicle. It is an outstanding vehicle for people who want complete versatility, luxury, and european driving qualities without having to climb up into a high SUV. It has absolutely the best seats in the industry. We haul childrens families, grandchildren, greatgrandmothers (who cannot climb into a higher vehicle), and friends. We haul construction materials for projects on a home in vermont- all with the confidence of Volvo safety, reliability and very good mileage. With the rooftop carrier we have as much capacity as a large SUV.