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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  LOVE AND AMAZING FOR THE MONEY - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By ELISEO - November 4 - 5:00 pm

  Beautiful interior, extremely fun to drive, perform excellent & better that MB, Audi, & VW (I tested & drie all). Safe for all, including the kids. Seats excellent can not be better. I have respiratory problems and the air inside is soo clean for the new air system is amazing. Friend this car is amazing.

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  Nice But Expensive - 2008 Volvo S40
  By Pat - November 4 - 12:56 pm

  This car has been really good up till lately. I purchased this vehicle brand new with only 2 miles on it; now I am at 45,380 miles. Within the last month... Navigation quit working - dealer had to order a whole new head unit for it... Strange & Annoying rattle in the passenger side door - ended up being loose rivets that hold the window in the door. They also did some software update as well. This was all covered under warranty. This car never seems to hold an alignment. Just home today from having the 3rd alignment since I got this car new. This is the first vehicle I have ever had to do a alignment on. Hopefully the third time is a charm.

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  In the Shop Again!! - 1998 Volvo V70
  By JDR - November 4 - 10:00 am

  The Volvo XC AWD is a reliability nightmare! Mines in the shop today for the 3rd time in 11 months, and 8,000 miles for check engine light being on. This time, Im 19 days out of warranty and theyre replacing the carbon evaporation canister (the 2nd time in 2 years). The bill is $460.00 and Im hopping mad! Oh, lets not forget the stupid light bulb I need replaced this go-around too. The one bulb I wish would burn out (check engine) hasnt! Im seriously contemplating dumping this junky car and return to driving my old, reliable, 140,000 mile, 88 Honda Accord once again.

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  the ultimate in stealth high performance - 2005 Volvo V70
  By micron26 - November 4 - 6:50 am

  Its incredibly versatile with ample space and the 4C suspension setup, and has tremendous performance in third and fourth gear. Lag is noticeable at low RPM, particularly in first and second gear, but very few cars of any stripe can stay with this one once it gets going. It also boasts the best (support, comfort) seats Ive ever sat in (my wife concurs), and has a pleasing design inside and out. Many a BMV/MB/Audi have watched my back end disappear in the distance, and the shocked looks from SUV drivers expecting to blow my slow Volvo wagon off the road remain priceless. Also has a great NAV system and shifter. All of this refers to the MT: beware the AT (GT), its much slower.

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  Fun and Safety - 2008 Volvo C30
  By chefdude - November 3 - 8:20 pm

  Oh what fun it is to ride... knowing youre surrounded by all those safety features! Had the C30 for a month and love it. The seats are unbelievably comfy and the front legroom is spacious (if no one is in the back seat). If you have a dog check to see if he can get climb up the hatch because is quite high off the ground. Power and handling are super. Engine and transmission feel responsive yet flexible; can shift from 2nd straight to 6th gear on freeway, no problem. Clutch is easy to push, wont fatigue leg. Stock stereo is powerful and has aux input for any mp3 player. Cabin storage a little tight but helps with clutter. Altogether a nice car, Im very happy with my purchase.

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  XC60 - Lookin good - 2013 Volvo XC60
  By cerebus1 - November 3 - 7:59 am

  I bought my wife her new 2013 XC60 about a month ago. About six months ago I had purchased myself a 2013 Acura RDX. Boy, am I jealous. The Volvo was more expensive, but it is a much better vehicle.

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  A joy to drive and look at - 2006 Volvo S40
  By tkbindpls - November 3 - 3:36 am

  This is my first Volvo and its much more solid than my Saab. This car is a dream on the highway; I can drive long trips and not be uncomforable or exhausted at the end of the trip. Its also very nimble at highway speeds. The turbo 5 cylinder is slow to start (no surprise) but I have to watch my speed after that. I prefer manual transmission and I really dont like the clutch; the spring needs to be redesigned because it causes me to let it up too fast sometimes. Im so pleased that I joined the Volvo Club Of America.

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  Good Purchase - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Mike - November 1 - 2:10 am

  We purchased this vehicle used with 29K miles on it after test driving nearly everything on the market. We had a few very minor issues after purchasing but the sales and service staff dealt with everything as if we were their only customer, perfectly. AC compressor kicking in is a little rough, gas mileage is great for the car size and weight (29-33 mpg). I traded my Mitsubishi Eclipse for this and never lost the sporty fun. Im at 64K now and no issues. My 13 yr old wants it when im ready for my next Volvo.

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  A little disappointing - 2017 Volvo XC90
  By Mr. Phillips - October 31 - 10:47 am

  Thought the newly redesigned SC-90 would come out as a classy car. Unfortunately, the Chinese influence has taken over. Too much cost cutting in poor quality materials. In the past the quality of steel used in Volvos were second to none. Today, can not say the same. Ride is comfortable, yet quality better in other equivalents. Hopefully, once they begin assemble in Charleston SC, overall quality will improve to compete against BMW. Not yet there. However, in this case looks are deceiving. As for performance, a gas guzzler for the size and type. Do not waste your money or patiently wait.

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  R you having this much fun? - 2004 Volvo S60
  By ctekjeff - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Love my R. Fast and furious looks with the sport package which makes it stand out from the crowd of Audis and BMWs. Car changes behivior at the touch of a button from comfort to race car. The seats are excellent. The turbo is awsome. Sound system is great. Absolute fun to drive. Does not attract too much attention from police (yet).