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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  Smooth ride - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By augie - November 18 - 10:00 am

  Ive have always been told that Volvo was a safe car to drive. I did not realize it until I went to look for myself. I was amazed by all the safety features in the XC90, especially the stabiity control and anti-roll system. The ride is real smooth and plenty of power. We looked at MB M350, BMW X5, Nissan Murano, Infiniti FX35, Toyota Sequoia, GMC Yukon. The X5 was our second choice. I just wish the fuel tank was larger. At 18 mpg you dont get too far on 19 gallons.

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  Forget Mini check out Volvo - 2011 Volvo C30
  By Lauren - November 16 - 10:00 am

  I thought I loved my 2007 Mini S convertible, but 2 weeks after warranty ran out I had to pay $500 on maintenance after I had just spent a $1000 replacing my run flat tires, I decided to get out before I spent well more than that car was worth...I am so glad that I did. My 2011 C30 is refreshing and my passengers love the upgrade. It is the perfect car for me. I am in my early 30s married with no children, so I rarely have back seat passengers (a must for this car). This car so sophisticated with out being boring or stuffy. Fun, fast and fabulous, I dont understand why more people arent in love... thats okay because I love having a car that makes a statement the individual.

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  12 months with 8 visits to the repair shop - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Kelly Northington - November 16 - 6:35 am

  We had issue after issue with this vehicle. Main issues were the faulty control panel and the brakes. The vehicle would auto brake in the middle of the freeway for no reason almost causing multiple accidents. Also we had the break pads changed 5 different times for constant squeaking. Eventually Volvo Corporate bought the vehicle back as we filed a lemon law complaint.

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  Were Do I Start? - 2001 Volvo V70
  By art - November 11 - 8:40 pm

  I am 59 years old and I have owned about 8-10 volvos during my life. Most recently I purchased a used off of a lease v-70 T-5 with 47000 miles on it. It had a full service till 100K. If it did not have that I would have gone broke. Here is a list. 2 radiators, one ac unit, one transmission, numerous electrical problems, 2 replaced sunroofs. Most recently I have to stuff rags and paper into the sunroof area to keep the sunroof from rattling. Numerous rattles in the car, rough ride and the list goes on. My previous car was an acura which give up the ghost at 225,000 miles. This volvo is a piece of junk. I would stay away like a bad cold. Never again. Then I found out that most of the

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  Great Convertible - 2000 Volvo C70
  By Jay Arthur Thompson - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I love the car. The car has has no problems and only seen scheduled maintenance. For a convertable, it is spacious and sporty.

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  Not worth the $$$ - 2002 Volvo S40
  By Brendan Kelly - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I have had this car for almost two years and have had it in the shop on at least 5 occasions due to manufacture defects. True, Ive had no serious problems, but after driving a Honda and Nissan into the ground with nary a problem, this is new territory for me. I had to replace the brakes after only 12,000 miles and Volvo tried to convince me that this is normal! The 15K tune-up cost me almost $500. Since Ill exceed 45,000 during my 39 month lease, Ill have to pay almost $1,500 to have the tires rotated and the filters replaced.

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  what we wanted! - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Joe Alutto - November 8 - 8:43 am

  The 2016 XC-90 rides well, has incredible comfortable seats, all 7 of them! Cargo capacity is fine and acceleration a pleasant surprise given the relatively small engine. MPG has been in the 23 mpg around town and 26-27 on the highway. The dealer claims we can use regular gas but we have been using premium as indicated in the user manual. There have been four or five software updates during the 18,000 miles we have used the car but the dealership has been very helpful in explaining what needed to be done and why. The navigation system is no better than others we have experienced and voice control sometimes seems to only respond to a foreign language I do not know! My wife and I love the car and hope to run it for many years as we have with all our cars.

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  good, bad and ugly - 2001 Volvo S80
  By ronia1 - November 7 - 3:56 am

  i sometimes refer to my S80 as my $40,000 bucket o bolts, but i was spoiled by my 94 960 sdn with 170000 trouble free miles. the S80 is gorgeous BUT: both struts noisy (mind you at 60K miles; that may be their life span), head seal leaking, sunroof noisy when opened because suspension is SO tight, windows squeak when going down (always on pass side, sometimes on driver side), and the finish put on plastic panels inside scratches...but I love Volvo!!!

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  New to Volvo, I made a GREAT choice! - 2004 Volvo S40
  By aglio412 - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Went to a VW dealership expecting to walk out with a turbo Beetle for my fiancee. Instead we got a GREAT deal on a 2004 S40 LSE. The ride is great and the car is shockingly responsive for only being a 4cyl turbo with automatic transmission. The interior is GREAT. the leather seating is luxurious and the dash/controls are ergonomically placed. Im already so comfortable in it that I feel like Ive owned the car for 3 years, not 3 days.

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  I think I like it. - 2003 Volvo S60
  By CeeCee22 - November 5 - 2:00 am

  I tried to install an alarm system and the anti-theft system already present seems to clash with the new alarm system. Im still dealing with getting that worked out. Also, I live 150 miles from closest dealership and Ive been told that since Im still under factory warranty I will have to return to the dealership should any issues arise. I was told something TOTALLY different at the time of sale. So I feel a little bit misled. As for the car itself. It drives ok. I love the way it looks and have wanted a Volvo for years. A little disappointed with the ride and handling. I thought it would be slightly better.