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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  First time Volvo Owner - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By WOE - October 29 - 2:00 am

  We traded in our BMW 528I with 127,000 miles on it. Our criteria was we wanted a vehicle to tow a trailer, and not be an SUV. We feel we found it with the XC70. It is rated to tow up to 3500 lbs, which is more than we ever will. We have only had it a couple of days, and it took a lot to get us from BMW, we hope this is the right choice.

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  Think Twice about a 2016 XC 90 - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By OJ - October 28 - 4:24 pm

  8 day "old", spring break trip ends 200 miles into an 800 mile return journey! Overheating and no AC - engine management system advises to immediately shutdown the engine. Towed into a local dealership. Has taken 8 days to have vehicle repaired and still do not have the car back home. Very poor customer service from Volvo, the Corporation. Have received good but not outstanding service from the dealerships in trying to resolve the issues. I assume Volvo brand and value proposition is based upon the fact that a $64,000 car is actually "a cheap car" and therefore the customer should not really expect superior customer service!

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  Looking Good - 2000 Volvo V40
  By No Way dont do it - October 28 - 10:00 am

  This is truly the best looking wagon around. If only Volvo could make the larger ones look this good. We bought this wagon because of its safety. Not just side air bags but Head protection air bags. Built in booster seats let me know that Volvo thinks of the kids too. The fit and finish is top notch. I drove this car across country and loved it. The front seat fit just right. With the turbo the engine didnt know it was above 14,000ft.

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  Quite Nice! - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Brettbc - October 26 - 11:46 pm

  After driving the MDX, Pacifica and several others we realized that no other vehicle offered the space, comfort, safety, towing capacity and handling of the XC90. With the third row of seats folded there is an amazing amount of room for our Babys stuff. But what really floored us was how eleghant the vehicle really is inside. With the leather and actual wood interior it just feels nice. Not to mention the exterior is also very attractive. Overall a wonderful combination of utility and comfort!

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  Everything I wanted - 2006 Volvo S60
  By Everything I wanted - October 26 - 12:56 am

  This car turned out to be all that and then some. A coworker owned one, but it wasnt until I saw it in Titanium Metallic that I had to buy it. Drop dead looks, in between size, uncommon ( you dont see yourself coming and going)

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  Best SUV for your dollar - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By M. Smith - October 25 - 7:50 pm

  Best fit and finish I have seen in an SUV. We traded-in a 2006 Lexus RX330. The quality of the Volvo is far better than the RX330. The 5 cyl. Turbo has more power than I thought. Great seating, great interior quality, AWD seems to work fine. The XC90 is the same price as the RX330. Once you drive and compare qualtiy and saftey the Volvo wins. The Volvo is built like a tank (solid doors, etc.) Lexus doors are light and dent very easy. After owning the Lexus and Volvo, I feel the Lexus is over rated, and the Volvo is under rated. Volvo XC90 is a great product. With 1,500 miles we average 15MPG (all city driving) the Lexus RX330 averaged 16MPG with 3,200 miles. Volo weighs 600lbs more.

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  Buy it if you can afford to maintain it. - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Philip Townsend - October 25 - 2:39 pm

  I enjoy this car, purchased it with 142k miles 2years ago. Had a no start, no charge problem last summer, replaced battery with used $30 battery, good as new. Happened again this year, this time alternator gave out, replaced both battery and alternator for $400. I did the labor myself and saved about $400. I only put castrol edge full synthetic oil, usually on sale for $40 for 5 quarts and filter. Car take 7.29 liters, you do the math.

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  Bad XC90 experience, bought Toyota - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Mark - October 24 - 10:23 am

  The Volvo dealer would not even buy our fully loaded 2005 XC90 T6, that is what a piece of junk the XC90s are and Volvo knows it! We have 6 cars including Ferraris and Hondas. Volvo buyer beware, the only thing good about the XC90 is the ride quality. However ride quality does not matter when the driveshaft fails(twice), the shock strut fails(twice), tires wore out(20k miles), and the left axel seal failed, stranding us on the freeway. Not to mention little things like the defroster failed and the seat heaters mysteriously turn on. Then there are the interior ergonometric issues - try taking a family to McDonalds, there is no place to put stuff. We sold it and bought a Toyota Sequoia

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  Great car - 2004 Volvo V40
  By VVolvo - October 24 - 10:00 am

  This is one fun car to drive. It is small but capable of handling large loads. The steering is tight and responsive. Sleek and solid.

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  So Much for the Dream - 1998 Volvo V70
  By bewilderedbear - October 24 - 10:00 am

  We bought this car as a demo and have been plagued with the notorious CEL. Have put 1000s in repairs after warranty and still no resolve. Car sits useless in the driveway on the brink of repo (no great loss cant afford to fix any more) I dont think it would be much of a stretch to say most all fuel system has been replaced as well as emmissions to the tune of 1000s of $s. Dealerships are impossible and state that they or Volvo will DO NOTHING) This car is a lemon in every sense, eats brakes and tires and the owner up in service. So much for our dream car that we would have for 100k miles.