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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  It could have been a good experience - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Sven - March 29 - 6:56 am

  Replaced: entire rear suspension, two sets of front sway bar links, rear brakes (twice), front brakes, 02 sensor (twice), master window switch, IP lights, headlights (4!!! times), Lamda sensor...and the list goes on. Nothing ever rendered the car undriveable, and its a hoot to drive fast in the snow. Much better to drive than any SUV. Dealer is awful in every sense, and Volvo service doesnt couldnt care less. They could have had me "for life," but they blew it.

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  My04 - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By XC70Geo - March 28 - 1:13 pm

  Well done Volvo. Im very satisfied, its fun to own this car. BSR PPC Tuning is the best choice.

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  So far so good!!! - 2010 Volvo C30
  By Franky - March 28 - 11:40 am

  Got one of the last 2010s with the old front design. Love the car. Ride is stiff but not as stiff as my old 07 GTI. Engine is strong and satisfying, got it with a 6spd manual. Interior materials are really nice, but a little rattly (more so than girlfriends S40). Stereo and navi are superb, and everyone looks at it on the road...really unique!! No reliability issues so far, the car has a decent exhaust note, and it actually handles really well!! The seats are superb and they look great with the contrast stitching. I found the car to be sluggish with the automatic but quite powerful with the manual trans. Would buy it again if I had to do it all over.

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  Hot Mama Mobile - 2017 Volvo XC90
  By Renee - March 28 - 9:43 am

  I switched from a Mercedes GL to my new XC 90 Inscription and I dont miss my Mercedes a bit. It is so comfortable, easy to drive, easy to park, and functions wonderfully!! Not quite as fast off the mark as my old car, but catches up fast. Havent been for service yet, but love that three years of service is included in the purchase price, much better than expensive services at Mercedes. So far, so fun! Bought it in Nov. 2017.

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  What a fun car. - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Demetri - March 26 - 1:23 am

  I had been drooling over the S60/V70R for a couple of years, and finally had the means to buy one. I could not be happier with the vehicle. It is fun to drive, and the performance is great.

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  This is a Volvo!! - 1999 Volvo S80
  By grod - March 26 - 12:46 am

  I had always heard of the safety and reliability of a Volvo. After every problem from mechanical to electrical (replaced front end twice). Was told trade in value was $4000. This is from the same dealership that took thousands from me in repair costs. Wrecked the car two weeks ago and received $9,000 from insurance. This car is worth more totaled than running.

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  The Best Car Ive Ever Driven! - 2004 Volvo S60
  By SwedeSpeederR - March 25 - 10:00 am

  This is honestly the funnest car that I have ever been in. Volvo has finally made a sports sedan that can easily beat the stuffing out of any BMW 3 or 5 series along with an Audi A-4 or A-6 with caonsiderable rivalry with a Mercedes E55 AMG. The Volvo S60 R is hands-down the greatest sports sedan ever!

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  Money Well Spent - 2004 Volvo V40
  By gilp - March 25 - 10:00 am

  I never thought Id be driving a Volvo station wagon...but the V40 SPORT changed all that. Looks, performance, comfort - I could have purchased a similarly equiped Jetta Wagon for the same amount of money...Id rather have a Volvo on my driveway. Take itr for a test drive and youll know what I mean! VERY highly recommended!

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  Dont buy used - 1998 Volvo V70
  By $$$outthewindow - March 25 - 10:00 am

  This car has been great up untill the 70K mile mark. Now its falling apart. Ive spent $3,200. in the first half of this year. on repairs & maintenance. Check Eng. Light is a constent. problem. I have never heard of putting a new gas tank & gasket in a car before, but the service dept. said this was the reason for the check Eng. Light. Just $ 1,400. and I was on my way. They could give me no good reason why it needed to be fixed. The C.E.L. came back on 4 weeks down trhe road. This time hoses.

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  volvo headaches - 2000 Volvo S40
  By Klondike Kev - March 25 - 10:00 am

  Overated. Returned to dealer on 4 or 5 occasions for various moans, groans, or grunts. Replaced left side strut assembly, steering column removed for addition of some special grease, headlight bulbs all replaced(at my expense), several rear brake bulbs and taillight bulbs,broken window switch, rear brake pads. Car still grunts and groans and I am replacing bulbs at an alarming rate. Rear seat horrendous for more than ten minutes. Fuggetaboutit.!!