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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  2004-XC90AWD, 3750 miles and counting - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By johng - July 28 - 2:00 am

  Being a first time SUV buyer but a 7 year Volvo owner (850GLT) we were already biased toward Volvo but did do considerable research on other brands before we dove in. Although always a little shocked by their sticker prices (and lack of much room for dealing with the dealer, especially on the trade-in) in the end we just think it`s the best overall SUV available today. Mechanically it`s hard to beat. And it`s the best looking SUV by far. And being "safe as a bank vault" has it`s obvious rewards. We are at 3750 pretty hard miles at this point already and so far so good!

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  Fun Car - 2009 Volvo C30
  By wm - July 19 - 6:36 pm

  Caveat this review with the fact Ive only owned the car for a week, and Im still on a buzz from buying it. The manual is incredibly fun to drive, and very smooth. I highly recommend the R-design; its well worth the money. Cosmic Wht w/ Brwn body kit looks phenoml, but hard to find at a dealer. It is not a utilitarian vehicle, as the rear bumper is too high and big, and other cars offer more interior space, but its a great little sports car. More hp/less weight/better mpg than a V6 Mustang. Comfort inside is top notch. Driver views are very good. I did a 1300+ mile trip right after purchase and it holds 80mph easily at 2700rpm. It accelerates the same at 40mph as it does at 70. Fun.

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  Great fun and reliable car to drive! - 1996 Volvo 850
  By loveswedcars25 - July 19 - 12:19 am

  I bought my car a year ago from one of my brothers friends. It had been sitting in his garage barely used and barely ran. When I got it, it had 140,000 miles on it, now the odometer reads 150,800 miles. I havent had any real problem with it. Except for a fuel filter going out, but thats a cheap fix. It has always ran strong and never left me completely stranded on the side of the road. The interior is great, very roomy and comfortable. The engine is like the energizer bunny, it just keeps going and going. And the fact that the car come stock with a underbelly cover makes driving on rocky roads way less worry-some. When this car dies, if it ever does, I will own another Volvo!

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  Dont Let This One Get Away - 2016 Volvo XC70
  By JimT - July 18 - 12:48 am

  Volvo has sold a wagon with a vertical liftgate since 1953. This is the last, dont let it get away. My 5th Volvo and the best yet. 7K miles on it so far. For a huge wagon, the steering is responsive with good feedback. Breaks are awesome. They have finally eliminated the torque steer, totally, which was present on my 1998 V70XC and worse on my 2007 XC70. the 2007 had terrible wet braking, the 2016 has great wet road brakes. Very quiet, very comfortable, good electronics. Better than 27mpg in mostly highway driving. Next years 2017 cross country costs 18 thousand dollars more and may not be as good. The 2017 has a hatchback, cutting cargo room, and a 4cyl engine which may not be as smooth, at least, not yet. This 2016 has the tried and true 5 banger. The only downside is that the 6 speed auto is a little reluctant to downshift, you have to mash the throttle a little or shift manually. Oh, and the active safety already prevented a collision for me, accelerating onto a highway, checking the left mirror, did not notice the stopped traffic ahead until the Volvo applied the brakes for me. Thanks, Volvo.

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  My First Sports Sedan And I Love It - 2004 Volvo S40
  By h5863emtmatt - July 17 - 10:00 am

  The T5 is fast and handles great. It sticks to the road and is responsive. Alpine White and the fresh design is a head-turner. You get a lot more car for your money compared to Audi and BMWs low end models. I have had this car for a month and am one of three who own one in San Diego. Get the Sport Package!

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  One of the best performance buys! - 2004 Volvo V70
  By SleeperWagon - July 17 - 10:00 am

  One of the best performance car buys on the market. It is also one of the best cars on the market. There are not many manual-transmission wagons on the market. Great engine, great AWD and the 6-speed is one of the best Ive ever used. The interior (Atacama) has gotten so many compliments I have long since lost count. The replacement for my 2001 Acura MDX was going to be this or the Infiniti FX35 and the decision really came down to exclusivity. While the FX is a phenomenal car, there are too many of them. I can count the number of Volvo Rs Ive seen on two hands. It also has a great sound system and an awesome adjustable suspension!

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  Never ever would even think of a wagon ! - 2004 Volvo V70
  By lap8312 - July 17 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car (my first Volvo) after having a Lincoln Navigator (over- priced piece of crap), I LOVE THIS CAR !!! It is fast, comfortable and sexy for station wagon (after limo tinting the windows), I AM NO soccer Mom, even though I have 3 kids, But, when people I know pick on my choice I take them for a ride (or let them drive it) AND well, they have a different perspective. Test drive one youll love it !! The ONLY down fall my Husband is 601" and he said that it is tight for him in the drivers seat,But that it is fun to drive. Ask a Dealer to crash pictures AMAZING people walk away !!!

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  Work on it yourself!!! - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Backyard Swede Mech - July 17 - 12:03 am

  This is a good car that gets a bad rap. The tranny has a $19 fix from IPD to fix the hard into and out of 3rd shifts, and missing 3rd all together. The ETM should be replaced with one from xemodex in Canada. They have a mod that turns them into a lifetime unit. Although it is $550. Those two things will cover 90% of the complaints.

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  Canadian S70 Review - 1999 Volvo S70
  By Martyn Wash - July 14 - 2:00 am

  I bought this as my first Volvo having driven BMWs for the last 12 years. The car runs well and the dealership in Ajax Ontario is 1st rate. They called w/i two weeks of my first service to ask after the service. They forgot to hook up a light in the consul but this is minor. They also called during the day to advise me of any changes. Overall the car is giving excellent performance. We see how it handles in the winter where we have minimal snow living close to Lake Ontario, 60 miles (100kms) due east of Toronto.

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  Great Car - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Mike J. - July 12 - 10:00 am

  Ive had the car for about 4 months now. Simply put, the ride is great and the car has to be one of the fastest on the road. I put 93 octane each time i fill up and boy do I feel the power. The leather seats are very comfortable and provide tremendous back support (especially for my aching back).The mileage tacks on very quick, a little too quick?! The headlamps are high intensity and look very nice at night. My only complaint has to be those damn squeaky brakes!! Also, the gas mileage isnt too great, but since I am alwyas racing the engine, I figure its mostly a result of my crazy driving habits. Everyone who I show off my car to is impressed, get this car!