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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  Often Love This Car - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Margaret Treat - May 14 - 2:33 am

  Have owned this since new. I enjoy the comfort of the ride and the saftey features. The car has never broken down on me. I travel cross country alone and even camp in it. Its solid. I have had to replace the top motor mount, mass air flow, lots of headlight and tail light bulbs, the electronic throttle and the temp sensor for the heater. But the car has 150,000 miles on it. The motor doesnt use a drop of oil. I have used Mobile 1 in it since break in. The car is amazing on icy and snow packed roads. I often say I love the car and have kept it longer than my cars in the past. But repairs are expensive and I hate the dealership. With no other dealership close, I would not buy another one.

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  No luck with volvo - 2001 Volvo V70
  By zandarlo - May 13 - 10:00 am

  Where do i start with the problems i have had? Ever been awakened at 6am on a sunday morning to a horn that wont stop honking? I have - 2 different times. Transmission started slipping the third week of ownership. Finally got the dealer to replace the transmission at 20,000 miles (after the car slipped out of gear and died on a busy street during rush hour). Door lock and alarm system has been replaced. Fuel tank door keeps falling off. Seems that I replace light bulbs way too often. Have contaced Volvo customer service, but they dont seem to care about my problems. They just keep telling me how safe and reliable their cars are. Needless to say,

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  Awesome SUV - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By VinnyMagneeto - May 13 - 10:00 am

  We test drove Chevy Tahoes, Toyota Highlanders and 4Runners, Acura MDX and none of them performed like the XC90. Ive always liked Volvos design, and this was exactly what we wanted. 3 rows of seats for kids. Sporty and very functional, plus safe. Once you test drive the XC90 on a mountain road verses the others, youll choose the XC90.

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  Love it! But? - 2005 Volvo S40
  By thetruth - May 12 - 5:56 pm

  Love my car it is a sexy fun car. I have the 6 sp manual and it is a straight rocket! One thing never, never, never, go to the dealer for service or problems. Volvo dealers are scam artists! I have a local mechanic who does all my maintenance and does better work for a 5th of the cost. He saved me when there was a recall on the pvc air box. My air box blew before the recall and when that blows your timing belt gets oil on it, when that happens the timing belt goes bad fast. Well he recommended I change it and probably saved me 4000. Ive heard people who went the the dealer and didnt get the good advice and had to pay 4000 once it broke. When it could have been prevented.

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  Safety First - 2016 Volvo XC70
  By FirstVolvo - May 12 - 12:27 pm

  Except for the fact that this unit must have some infrared sign saying Hit Me in it, I am actually thrilled by the purchase. At 600 miles, before the first installment was due, a deer jumped in front of the car while it traveled 60 MPH. Front airbags deployed and car brought itself to safe stop. Two occupants, including a 93 y.o. man, climbed out unscathed and without post accident issues. Volvo safety operators immediately called the car and summoned police, EMT squad , and fire truck. Out of state repair at Volvo dealership in Syracuse NY was exemplary. Now with 13,000 miles, the car was rear ended by 1 ton pick up truck with dual rear wheels. XC-70 bumper and hitch took brunt of impact. Volvo drove home, but offending pick up was not so lucky. Volvo hitch saved much rear end damage and transferred much of the impact to the colliding vehicle. Dealership service in two different states has been excellent. This is an extremely safe and comfortable vehicle, although I could do without further safety system tests.

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  Glorified Yugo - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Doug - May 12 - 3:56 am

  I can agree with the safety and reliability written about this car. The comfort is just marginal. What destroys this car is the turning radius! The car is slow and the gas mileage is average. The interior is sooo small. I have a child seat in the back and it takes over the backseat! Being 62" is a real problem with the interior size. Overall, I would never get another Volvo!

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  Turns heads - 2007 Volvo C70
  By pachung - May 10 - 2:00 pm

  Overall, a great car for its price. Cant get a hard top that seats 4 from anywhere else. Like the title says, youll be turning some heads when you lower the top at a signal. Its not built for performance though... looks sporty but really isnt.

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  Awesome car and awesome dealer - 2001 Volvo S80
  By new owner - May 10 - 10:53 am

  Great car, definitely a special car in the class of luxury automobiles industry. BMW and Mercedes do not match to the details that Volvo has put in to the design and develpoment of its cars. Great dealer. If youre in MA, visit Rob Delisle at Dalzell volvo. Hes a very fair person to deal with. Very customer friendly.

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  Great car for 2 - 2000 Volvo C70
  By kadwa - May 10 - 2:00 am

  Great car, big enough to put the kids in the back seat, but as any two door car a hassle to let them in and out of. VERY QUIET, no more noise than a sedan or coupe. With the top up, it feels like a coupe.

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  Perfect car all around - 1999 Volvo V70
  By Matthew A. - May 10 - 2:00 am

  This is by far the best family car imaginable. It is luxury all around, but maintains a sporty silouhette. The option of a third seat, the amazing space and all the options make it the only car I ever want to own. Its a perfect alternative to the cliche SUV or frumpy minivan.