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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  Volvos Mussle Car - 2002 Volvo S60
  By Whispering Jack - May 3 - 3:20 am

  This is the highest performance sedan I have ever owned. The acceleration is second to none in its class. This is combined with all of the safety and comfort features one would expect from Volvo. The result is not your fathers typical Volvo.

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  Great Car - Confusing Tech - 2018 Volvo XC90
  By Stuart B - May 2 - 12:34 am

  Overall I love the 2018 XC 90. The design beautiful and the comfort is excellent. The performance is good our previous SUVs were the BMW X5 and the Explorer Sport. The one frustration for my wife and I is the Volvo Sensus Infotainment System. Its not bad but its also far from good, as compared to BMW iDrive. The system would be much better if commonly used functions like climate control had their own physical buttons. The temperature and seat/steering wheel heat controls are slow to respond an lack haptic feedback. Its not possible to use these controls without taking your eyes off of the road.

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  i love my volvo... so far - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Ratna - April 30 - 11:30 pm

  I see all the negative reviews on the volvo. i recently just purchased my volvo with 136000 miles. my volvo is in great shape. my leather seats are in great condition, no tears, rips, my radio, heated memory seats, sunroof and all features still work. im not sure if the previous owner of this car just took really good care of it or what but so far i love this car. i have since i drove it the first time. i would never have even looked at a volvo in the past, but so far my experience has been wonderful. we will see in a year if i have any major issues.

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  Just what the doctor ordered - 2017 Volvo S90
  By BRUCE BERENSON - April 29 - 4:21 am

  Compared this car to others in the same class. I looked at MPG, safety, styling, ride and lease payments. This car was superior in MPG, safety and leasing costs. Dealership salespeople were great (did not treat me with disrespect as other upper end auto dealerships do. I have no affiliation with Volvo and I am very pleased. Also I have no rattles, squeaks or computer problems. This car is a hidden gem.

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  Dont buy this car - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By RICH - April 29 - 2:53 am

  Nothing but problems with this car-- ive been to the dealership 6 times and they havent been able to shut the engine light off. I will never buy another volvo

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  Thank you Volvo - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Thank you Volvo - April 27 - 6:50 am

  Thank you for being the only forced induction that uses reg-87 gas and i still cannot believe it. The car runs and drives great, V-8 power and 4-cyl. gas sipping i cannot lose and do not forget the great volvo safety just incase things get out of hand. buy one now and thank me later

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  Transmission exploded after one month - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By bp - April 26 - 4:16 am

  Do not buy this year xc90 under ANY circumstances. Had it one and a half months, transmission exploded. Car has low miles (45,000) and I bought the aftermarket warranty. They will not cover the loss due to a clip failure in the transmission, which fails due to a too short lube tube from the pan. Thumbs way down.

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  Great Solid SUV - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By sabremax - April 24 - 2:00 am

  This is my first SUV owned. I believe I am spoiled. This car is so solid. It just doesnt appear to be as big and roomy as it is. Controls are beautifully placed and very functional. It has all the "necessary" bells and whistles without all the ones that you never use. The ride is smooth and quiet. This Volvo gives you a real sense of stability on the road.

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  VOlvo S 60 T5 - 2002 Volvo S60
  By Sid B - April 22 - 10:00 am

  A beautiful (inside and out), ergonomic, fun vehicle to own and drive. Since my wife is irreplaceable, I would not have her in anything but a Volvo. No issues since day of delivery, except for a defect in the wall on one of the Pirelli P6s. Having problem finding a replacement tire in So. CA, local dealers of no help! That aside the car is a complete delight. It is quick, agile, quiet, great AC (it was up to 105 degrees here yesterday). May replace my other Volvo (99 C 70 HPT) with an S 60 next time around.

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  disappointing experience - 1998 Volvo V70
  By peter - April 22 - 12:16 am

  this is 3rd volvo and maybe last.first 2 gave very good service with 200k miles on each with very minor problems.current vehicle is constant maintenance problem wth endless check engine lights, early tire and brake wearouts, abs problems, emission problems. everything expensive to fix, trade in value low for price of car.getting rid of this irritant, probably wont be back.they used to be great cars and distressing to hear overall poor support from volvo