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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  Happy Camper - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Johnny W - December 11 - 2:00 am

  Love the low torque band of the T6 Engine, and more than any thing how quiet it is. The mileage is 14 in town 20 on the highway ,The ride is great and it is fun to drive Would buy it again

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  After 2 months - 2010 Volvo XC90
  By 4everyoung - December 10 - 5:16 am

  Overall one of the better values in the luxury suv market (especially one with 7 seats) and in my opinion one of the better looking suvs out there even if its an older design.

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  dissappointment - 1998 Volvo S70
  By badnews - December 10 - 4:36 am

  I am disappointed in the vehicle in that every time I turn around something need repair. Thank God for the extended warranty that I bought when I purchased it, but I will get rid of it before the warranties expiration. Never again!!

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  Had enough - 2004 Volvo S40
  By Lou - December 10 - 2:30 am

  Bought car new July 04 and 6 mos later check engine light came on and everything replaced above engine block- cylinders 3 & 4 had 75% leak-down. Tried software download which is a joke. Replace brake pads too. Car out 18 days. Then ignition console went out car died. Out 5 days. Then radio went out, ate my cds. Out 3 days. Next tranny issue- braking/accelerating produces nothing. Let off gas and retry works. Fixed. Windows work on/off, speakers work on/off. Strong electrical smell appeared. Defective condenser. All fixed. Out longer. As of today windows/speakers/strong smell issues still there, tranny wierd. Bottom line not safe or reliable. Software updates dont wrk.Is a lemon. Giving back. Had enough!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Great Car! - 2002 Volvo S40
  By Frey the Viking - December 9 - 10:00 am

  The Volvo S40 is so underrated. I love my car! Its handling is great and the turbo engine seems as if though it can handle a lot more than 160hp. I always rev it and it accelerates like a dream. A must if you are a car enthusiast.

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  Nice little car - 2002 Volvo S40
  By Srini - December 9 - 10:00 am

  Had this car for 2 years and have no major complaints (except the check engine light - I got it fixed at the dealership when I received a notice from Volvo a few months ago). Excellent acceleration, good build quality and reliability. I frequently take this car on long trips and have great fun driving it.

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  Brake Dust - 2002 Volvo S80
  By Gatoraid - December 9 - 10:00 am

  Great looks... Brake dust is worse than my wifes s70

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  Less Than Impressed - 2001 Volvo V70
  By JJR - December 9 - 10:00 am

  Replaced a wonderful and trustworthy 91 745T Wagon, believing that Volvo wouldnt let me down, was I wrong. Volvo seems to have lost their touch with build quality. Front end noises (clunking) began at 5K, replaced ball joints, bushings, and control arms. Thermostat replaced at 10K, geartronic transmission has been problematic requiring various software patches, 8 light bulb replacements (including the rear license plate bulbs!), replaced two cargo covers that have shreaded under nominal use. The car is sluggish in hot humid weather, too much body roll in cornering for a "sport suspension", steering is ponderous and heavy.

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  Great SUV!! - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By CBennett - December 9 - 9:13 am

  This was a great investment for my growing family. The third row seats are small, but will be used by my kids only. The leather interior, wood grain steering wheel, rear DVD system are all a major plus for me. The most impressive feature is the 315 hp engine with smooth acceleration. This does not even compare to my wifes S70. Volvo has really stepped up with the rest of its competitors in the SUV market.

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  Great Car... Horrible support from Volvo - 2015 Volvo XC60
  By doktor - December 8 - 11:52 am

  I purchase a 2015.5 XC-60 4 cylinder turbo charged vehicle in February. The vehicle is great... Unfortunately, Volvo support is awful. The XC-60 comes with a print manual of about 200 pages and there is an on-line manual of 400 pages. Sadly, the manuals are either wrong or incomplete for many of the features. No mention of multiple dashboards, no mention of setting mpg vs instant mpg, low pressure tire indicator directions are wrong, no mention of how to collapse the back seat.... I could go on. The arrogance: I called Volvo and the young woman told me Volvo never changes their manuals once they are printed. I asked:"even on line". No never, more than $40K: this is customer service?