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:

• 

  Fun & relaxing - 2007 Volvo C70
  By JHANON - March 9 - 3:20 pm

  The drive is smooth, the back seats roomy enough for groceries but tight for people -- though not so tight as the more expensive kind -- and look is appealing in its lines and styling. One drawback is the accelerator is too close to the brake pedal. Other than this it is a superb auto/convertible.

• 

  S80 to XC90 - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By day6142 - March 7 - 10:00 am

  The XC90 has an S80 ride and while it steers like a dream, it is an SUV and is not quite the driving experience as the S80.

• 

  Swedish Tank - 1996 Volvo 850
  By gman513 - March 7 - 3:00 am

  This is a very safe and reliable car. I will never drive anything else other then a Volvo. I going to drive my 850 until it falls apart (that will never happen). I have not had one problem with this car. It still has a good 200k+ life left on the engine.

• 

  9K miles in and loving it. Great car. - 2015 Volvo V60
  By derickd81 - March 5 - 10:30 pm

  Bought car in April, now has over 9K miles on it, including some long road trips. I have been able to hit all EPA mileage ratings, including highway. I have 30 mpg average over the last 6K miles. Car has been flawless, easy to use, drive, etc. I still catch myself staring at it, or pausing while sitting in it to take it all in. Went on a month long vacation with my wife. We fit everything we needed and our cat in the car with the seats down. Plenty of room. Its fast, quiet at highway speed, and the seats are wonderful. Ive done four 12hr stints in the drivers seat at not been uncomfortable at all. This car is a gem, I think it should be on your test drive list, at the least.

• 

  Great Value and Fun! - 1998 Volvo S70
  By kmagman - March 5 - 10:00 am

  I bought my current S70 on Ebay and having been holding my breath about the car for the last year. Overall, the experience has been good, but the A/C evaporator had to be changed (fortunately under warranty) and the battery had to be replaced recently. The GLT has a nice combination of turbo power with very predictable handling. Little or no turbo lag compared to turbo Saabs I have owned in the past. Interior fit and finish is a little cheap compared to Japanese cars in the same price range. I suspect the brake rotors will have to be changed soon. Be sure to service the transmission in spite of Volvos ridiculous maintenance suggestion.

• 

  headache - 2001 Volvo S40
  By sadvolvo - March 5 - 10:00 am

  i dont even know where to begin with my s40s problems. the breaks need to be replaced a second time (at 20K). srs light has been on several times and air bag has been replaced. i have had problems with the air conditioning, check engine light, trunk lock, gas door motor, heated seat light, headlight, and more in less than two years. and sometimes the car wont start. i thought i was investing in a safe and reliable vehicle. lesson learned.

• 

  Could be a great sports car - 2001 Volvo S60
  By IzMo - March 5 - 10:00 am

  Overall I like the car but thought it was more sports oriented than it actually is - it sure looks the part. The drive train is fine, just that the suspension is weak. I love the fit and finish, the seats are incredible and the optional sound system is the best I ever heard.

• 

  S60 AWD - 2002 Volvo S60
  By trusgold - March 5 - 10:00 am

  I am very satisfied with the car, one exception is I have a tough seeing out of the car. I have not seen anyone else say that but I am so suprised at the poor visibility. The other complaint, my gas milage is at about 16 mpg, but it has been hot and the a/c has been on the whole time.

• 

  Sweet Swede - 2004 Volvo S60
  By byrdsnest - March 4 - 11:20 pm

  Great ride for the money. Quality and workmanship are excellent. Volvo really looks out for the purchaser.

• 

  Solid SUV - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By Fuzzball - March 3 - 8:53 am

  We leased this SUV after 7 leases of Volvo cars before it. We had outgrown any car they make and this is a perfect fit. Lots of room, extra row of seats, (not much room there) and all the emenities needed. The ride is solid, plenty of room for me, (62) amd a son of the same size. The premium sound is great, there is more than enough power to enter the highway safely and easily, braking is solid also. Car looks great, very reliable and lots of room in the back for luggage and whatever you pick up at Home Depot. The leather seats are as comfortable as at home, heat is great, have yet to do a summer with the black leather interior, but we are not concerned.