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:

• 

  Safe and tons of fun!! - 1998 Volvo S70
  By Chris - March 15 - 5:43 am

  I bought this car with 75K on it. I now have 117K and Ive done nothing to it. If youre looking for a fun car to drive that you can put your kids in, this is it. Its got loads of pin you in your seat power. The down side is fuel economy (16 city/22-24 hwy). Also a very stiff ride. But I didnt buy it for a "soft" ride. I would and will buy more Volvos.

• 

  Its a lemon - 2002 Volvo C70
  By maminc70 - March 15 - 4:07 am

  I bought my 2002 C70 used in 2009. It ran great for about 6 months & then had a host of problems that caused multiple trips to the shop, including one that lasted 3 months. The car doesnt always start. Turning the key over and trying again sometimes works, but Volvo told me that trick as they cant fix it. The transmission slips & it has gotten progressively worse to the point that the car is only reliable for trips under 15 min. Volvo cant diagnose that problem either & suggested changing the trans, but will not guarantee that its the fix. The rear windshield has dropped & is suspended by the headliner. I need an auto upholstery shop to stitch it back in as the glue wont hold.

• 

  Could be better - 2002 Volvo S60
  By pjw - March 15 - 3:26 am

  I bought Volvo primarily for the safety features. However, Ive had several disappointing occurrences with performance. The transmission slips from time to time. The door locks are constantly out of sync. I made 4 trips to the dealer for warning lights about the engine without resolution until a recall solved the problem. I expected a more luxurious interior/panel for the price. The buttons, knobs on the panel look cheap - my compromise for safety. Im in the market for a new car and wont be a repeat Volvo customer.

• 

  Great Car - 2004 Volvo S80
  By Chuck Brichta - March 14 - 9:56 am

  I own 2 Volvos XC 90 and S80 The S80 is a great car. Lots of power, fun to drive, comfortable after 8 hrs of driving, you dont feel beat up. I am waiting for the V-8 to come out this winter.

• 

  Great Ride - 2003 Volvo V70
  By IR - March 12 - 10:00 am

  Have had it only a few weeks, however, the quality, ride, comfort, and styling are super! Best looking station wagon on the market today. The seats are very comfortable. When driving you are unaware that this is a station wagon. Almost got a Passat station wagon (I have a Passat sedan that I am very happy with), however worked a deal with the Volvo that put me only $2,000 over the Passat wagon, plusthe Volvo had many more features. Feels much more solid than the Passat.

• 

  C70...Thumbs up! - 2002 Volvo C70
  By C70...I like! - March 12 - 10:00 am

  Overall the best car for the money. I thought Volvos were boring until I drove this car. The seats and driving comfort are so nice especially compared to the BMW 3-Series...firm yet soft. I find the controls on the BMW small but the C70 is very straight forward. The only down side to this car is the lack of shifting ability for the automatic compared to others but do yourself a favor leave it 3- gear on some back roads and let the turbo rev like it should! I must mention that the torque-pull is strong if you have a heavy foot...thats ok Ill take the power.

• 

  first and last volvo - 2001 Volvo S80
  By first and last volvo - March 12 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I loved the bang for the buck on this vehicle. While not as luxurious as Mercedes C-Class it is larger and less expensive. A better value then the BWM 5 series and Audi A6 as well. I love driving the car when it is not in the shop! Fifty days and counting in the first 27 months of ownership!!! Lets see ... the seat & mirror memory goes crazy (6 visits and counting), the sunroof wont stay sealed (3 visits), the FM and AM reception is poor (2 visits), several headlamps have burned out, strut mounts, a few misc. items, and by the way engine pinging under a load is appairently "normal" even when using the recommended high octane fuel.

• 

  Not there Yet - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By par404 - March 12 - 2:59 am

  Thought the XC-90 has been reinvented since 2004, still has room for significant improvements. Vehicle is significantly over-priced for what you get. Fuel economy a big disappointment for a 4 cyc using premium fuel. We got closer to 19-20 MPG average. There are other proven options that are better and more refined such as the Buick Enclave or Infinity (if you are hooked on premium fuel). After renting, the Jury is out and I do not want gamble at $50K+. Take a hard look at the other options before buying.

• 

  Volvo: solid with exceptions - 1999 Volvo S70
  By bilbyjg - March 12 - 12:40 am

  Adequate power. Pleasing engine sound. 30 mpg highway, 24 city. Very comfortable. Chintzy cupholders. Bottom of dash beginning to tear off; did a DIY with some tape and glue. Otherwise fairly solid interior. Leather seats remain in beautiful shape. Good storage space with seats forward. Beautiful styling, reminds me of the better VWs. Outstanding handling, good in emergencies. Multiple sensor malfunctions - ABS, TRACs, BRAKE light, Check Engine, Transmission, ETS (accompanied with revving engine @ idle). Have learned to ignore the less dangerous (e.g. the amber ones), as it is an older car. Very happy if youre willing to see past some of the quirks.

• 

  Great Car - 1998 Volvo S70
  By Mbeck - March 11 - 5:20 am

  This was my 4th Volvo and the change in body style took some getting used to. This is an extremely reliable, comfortable and safe vehicle. I have no major problems.My biggest complaint would be the tail lights bulbs seem to go out quickly, the cup holders are pretty skimpy for a $30K (new) car. It has never let me down and been most reliable.