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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  Unassuming yet Striking - 2006 Volvo V70
  By 06V70R - May 17 - 3:13 pm

  My V70R has been an absolute pleasure to own. This is a drivers car! My last two cars were the XCV70 and V70T5. The R puts these two cars to shame. With a one hour commute each way I am enjoying the car more each day. From seat support and comfort to sheer power the V70R for the money is the best performance and value on the market today.

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  Sabadoo - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Edward Goldenberg - May 17 - 2:33 pm

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  A solid, conservative ride. - 2002 Volvo S40
  By PCAL - May 17 - 2:00 am

  This is a really good, safe, conservative car. Emphasis is on safety features, not much offered in the way of luxury gadgets. If you are looking for an entry level volvo, its not a bad start. If you want fun toys, youll be disappointed. But then again, compared to the more gadgety offerings in the same price range (say VW for instance) one should consider reliability issues. So far I have not encountered a single problem with my solid, if a bit stodgy S40.

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  Solid but not flashy look or performance - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Die Hard - May 17 - 2:00 am

  Solid car and reliable if not uninspiring. Surprising strong at higher rpms, surprising sluggish at lower rpms. Looks are modest, interior design nice, comfortable. Traction control lacking, particularly given its fwd. Brakes are excellent. Fold down rear seat great for cargo. One light out in the center console...never replaced...$80 price quote...always lights out on our Volvos V70s, XC, and S80.

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  An expensive lemon - 2003 Volvo S40
  By cyr - May 17 - 2:00 am

  Owned this lemon for 2 years. I trusted Volvo for its reliability and Volvo did not deliver it. I have to take this car for repairs every 3 months on average. Only 21,000 miles, but I had 6 problems + 2 recalls. Everything from windshield wipers failure in the middle of a storm, to misalignment of the hood, to check engine lights on for transmission problems, to check engine lights on for unknown reasons, etc..... Brake pads had to be replaced after 15,000 miles. Air conditioning recall + transmission software upgrade recall. To sum it up, Expensive lemon, unreliable, and poor service

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  Safety at a great price - 2003 Volvo S40
  By mslamont - May 17 - 2:00 am

  A safe, and pleasant vehicle at a great price. Good pickup, smooth ride.

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  Great so far - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By ike10 - May 17 - 2:00 am

  Have had our xc90 for 7 weeks now, and am extremely impressed so far. have used the flat folding front passenger seat three times already. plenty of cargo room and the most well thought out interior design ive seen... extremely user friendly. handles great (for an suv) and love telling my suv- hating friends that my suv pumps 1/4 the pollutants into the air as their recent model compacts. a good tradeoff on handling vs plushness... corners great and is still dead quiet and comfy on most roads.

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  Best of Three - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Nutriaguy - May 17 - 2:00 am

  My third Volvo wagon has been the best. The turbo engine responds well in a pinch, with no problems in 2 1/2 years. Very caring service experience with loaner cars a real plus for a one car family. Very quiet on the road, with excellent stability and of course, those wonderful seats.

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  Gremlins? - 2002 Volvo S60
  By CEM - May 15 - 1:33 am

  First 2 yrs of ownership was plagued with several gremlin issues. Electronics primarily due to faulty computer chips, which had the car not been under warranty, I would have been very upset about cost. Bulbs also, burn out very quickly. Was advised by service Volvo uses a GM bulb. Seems a bit silly, especially in modles with daytime running lights. Now, at 3 yrs the car has been trouble free (fingers crossed). Good dealership, ready to work with you on issues and after friendly persuasion, have extended no charge on little fixes.

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  Love it to death! - 2009 Volvo C70
  By majajh - May 14 - 11:00 am

  We absolutely love this car. Wonderful to ride in this thing.