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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  Great road trip suv - 2017 Volvo XC60
  By floyd t golden IIII - September 16 - 6:41 pm

  This is a capable suv with great technology and exceptional seats, but the ride is so stiff, on the freeway its alot better, as is the gas mileage I would recommend this as a alternative to the other suvs, its unique. im currently in a 3yr lease and I think im going to keep it. i came out of a s40 with a stiff suspension this is a little worse. My one gripe is i wish the inscription had the dynamic seats but i did not want all the shiny bits the wood enlay is much nicer. Ill live with it. this is a very comfy suv, and i received such a great deal.

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  Keep a 2nd car (Japanese) as a backup - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Abhi - September 14 - 10:36 am

  My S80 was/is a fun car to drive. Hands down its one of the better vehicles to drive and responds well to tight turns, sudden accelerations, etc. However, it has been very unreliable. Ive spent a small fortune trying to keep this car alive and it has only 87k miles on it. Small niggles like oil leaks cost upwards of $500 to fix. The upper engine mount has broken thrice in 4 years. The emmissions error message kept coming on till I replaced the abs module. And now Ive a transmission error message which has been diagnosed as an electrical issue in the comntrol module but it cant be repaired and the whole transmission needs to be replaced ($5k).. Ouch ! Save the money and buy a Lexus or Acura

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  Electrical System not Reliable - 2006 Volvo V50
  By CEB - September 13 - 5:16 pm

  Imagine driving the highway at speed and experiencing a complete electrical system failure. After two years and multiple dealer "remedies" including replacement of major electrical components, these problems continue and overshadow an otherwise decent vehicle. Often the car simply will not start, but when you get it to the dealer they cannot duplicate your issue and appear to be unable to troubleshoot. For the money, the Audi A4, Volkswagen Passat or the C-class MB wagon (no longer sold) are better options.

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  60K for a 4 cylinder underpowered engine - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Stay08 - September 13 - 12:03 am

  I test drove the X90. I own a 2008 XC90 v8. The v8 Yamaha engine in the 2008 Volvo XC90 is a GREAT engine. Smooth, quiet and quick. This was the PERFECT engine for the heavy XC90. Volvo decided to make a one size fits all 4 CYL engine and its really a poor choice for the XC90. Its overworked and underpowered. Its a cheap work around. Take a look under the large plastic cover hiding the little engine that couldnt...How can I pay a 60K price tag for this SUV? Volvo was once upon a time a car company that had a quality car from the inside out and today they make a car that has a sharp stylish look but cheaply built compared to the older models....Other options in same price range. the BMW X5,,,,,,Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne, and VW Toureg. These SUVs have decent performance...Think about test driving a one year old BMW X5 v8 with low miles....

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  This car is a lemon! - 2006 Volvo S40
  By deuce316 - September 12 - 8:50 pm

  Within the first year of owning this car it had to be flatbed towed due to a faulty steering column. The doors and locks would not respond to either the key or the controls inside the car. Volvo looked at it 3 times before they could determine the problem.I had to drive there while the problem was happening to prove I wasnt crazy. I have 60k miles and I have to spend $1600 on a new clutch and clutch slave cylindar. the car is 4 yrs old and just over the warranty. Volvo will not take any ownership of the costs. A clutch should not break in 4 years. I am a very experienced standard transmission driver and it was not due to my handling. This car is a money pit! stay away at all costs.

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  Ditto - 1998 Volvo V70
  By gerry100 - September 11 - 10:00 am

  Weve had almost all of the problems described in the above posts, plus the one year only emissions airpump, warped rear rotors and tire consumption. Its very disappointing in a $36K car. We actually want to love this car because when everything is working its a wonderful, safe comfortable car. If Volvo had actually stepped up and taken responsibility for their design and quality mistakes instead of trying to gouge us customers from the 90s boom they may have developed some loyalty. As it is, theyve created a growing demand for Subarus.

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  this is what a suv should be - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By plateau guy - September 11 - 10:00 am

  Had for 7 months now and love it. Gas milage is averaging almost 18-mostly non freeway-pretty good for a solid midsize suv. Lots of room for gear, and drives great- much more like a car than a truck. Could use more power, but then so could everything! Sound system sounds great with powered sub- woofer.

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  At 3000 Miles - 2005 Volvo V50
  By wmsey - September 9 - 10:46 pm

  Versatile vehicle with great acceleration and handling with optional DTSC. With nearly 3000 miles overall MPG is 26 with long haul highway MPG at 70 MPH of 33+. T-tech fabric is the best non-leather seating material Ive used. Bi-Xenons are worth every cent. Its my first Volvo and has not disappointed in any way.

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  Hi Mileage Used - So Far So Good - 2002 Volvo S60
  By c j - September 9 - 10:00 am

  Bought an 02 S60 T5 from a non-Volvo dealer 6 mos ago. Had high mileage but the price was right. Turns out it had a busted fuel filter that went undetected pre-purchase too - but fortunately I got it fixed under recall. That said, its been extremely reliable, comfortable and a pleasure to drive. It does have a major design flaw in that the front tires rub against the frame if you attempt tight turns into/out of parking spaces. I find this to be minor. Overall I am very satisfied. I expect that when things go wrong they will be expensive, but so far this car is in great shape @ 143k miles

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  Consistent 32 mpg and fun - 2002 Volvo S40
  By Cban - September 6 - 4:13 pm

  I really enjoy the car and the mileage is unbelievable given my driving habits. The car stops on a dime, which has saved me quite a number of times. The brake dust is a bit annoying, but the pads will be upgraded to ceramic when I have to replace them. I agree that my driver seat tips forward when you brake and back when you step on the gas. Its minor, but it is a unique feeling. I am a bit concerned about the quality given that my door latch on the exterior rear passenger door no longer works and the locking fuel door sometime has to manually unlatched from inside the trunk. All in all, I recommend the vehicle as it is fun, safe and merely sips on fuel.