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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  jj - 2000 Volvo S70
  By gdfghdfh - August 28 - 2:00 am

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  2002 XC70 at 5,000 miles - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By powerpa - August 28 - 2:00 am

  Pretty nice car, underpowered, could use a 3L six with the turbo/intercooler. HP in 2002 was 197hp or so, about 207 or so in 2003. Not enough for a 3800lb AWD car. HP should be 225 and up. Highway handling at speed can be a little bit sloppy, but acceptable. Car is essentially 95% FWD and then AWD (sort of) when you need it. Tends to drift left a lot in the fast lane - Volvo says its because of road crown. I dont buy it. Comfortable highway cruiser for long trips on cruise- control (as long as you dont drive in the fast lane - pulls left).

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  A FUTURE CLASSIC - 2009 Volvo C70
  By jack - August 26 - 9:40 pm

  Wonderful 6 speed transmission, fantastic premium sound system, somewhat Rare, not too many on the road. A joy to own and drive...

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  High Tech on Wheels but Keep Eyes on Road - 2017 Volvo XC90
  By Bookman - August 25 - 11:22 pm

  This car drives great and is as comfortable as my living room but the tablet-like controls are a challenge. It requires eyes off road to scroll through the dozens of options; the driver mode default selection does not work, it always starts in Comfort even if you choose Eco or Dynamic (I saw this complaint in a review from 2016 model) and in order to switch between the modes you have to find the roller ball by the gear shift and turn it just right; should have a button or voice command to switch cause when youre getting on a highway and need Dynamic the last thing you want to do is fish for it. Finally learned that you can control climate with voice commands so thats really cool and helpful b/c again eyes off road to change fan setting or temp. A few times I turned fan up at start and it didnt catch, wondering what thats about. Totally dont understand the auto climate feature. And the navigation is terrible. My former XC70s nav was amazing but this one asks for Street Number, Street and City in one command and then cant understand what you say and gives a crazy place back. Should ask for each one individually like the XC70 did. I am hoping all the technical stuff in the car lasts and no glitches develop with software. Positives include the driving assist that helps keep me in the lane-very effective, and the media system offers lots of options like favorites, etc. which is fun. So far the car is a total joy to drive and ride in and it looks great.

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  A little Disappointed - 2012 Volvo S60
  By paria - August 25 - 7:50 pm

  I am a little disappointed in my 2012 Volvo S60 that I bought brand new last year. Ive only had it for one year, but it was taken to the shop 4 different times. The Volvo symbol on the front came off, the silver part on the steering wheel cut me when it peeled off, the mp3 player connection within the arm rest had to be replaced, and I replaced the windshield wipers(after owning the car 2 weeks) due to invisibility from rain. I thought something was wrong with the windshield, but after Volvo dealership mechanics assured me it wasnt the window, I realized it was the windshield wipers. I wasnt expecting to return to the shop (using my gas) For a luxury vehicle at this price.

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  So far..so great! - 2007 Volvo V50
  By RJBME - August 24 - 9:53 am

  Have had this car a month & have been able to do commuting and a 1500 mi road trip with it. Great car that isnt more than what you need (SUV) or too little (5-dr hatch). The p/t is fantastic: smooth, powerful & quick and the 6-spd manual makes the car all that much more fun to drive. The seats & options (ours is loaded) make the car a dream to drive. I highly recommend the NAV system as it performed flawlessly on our trip. The gas milage is coming in a bit lower (~24.3 combo according to computer) that I had hoped for in a 5cyl+manual but its better than an SUV considering the V50 has AWD+ 218 hp/236 ft-lbs & all functionality w/ lots of cargo space. Best car Ive owned thus far.

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  Tired of Beng in The Repair Shop - 2002 Volvo S40
  By NotThrilled - August 23 - 11:10 pm

  Supposed to be fun, right? The car squeaked for a week. Dealership couldnt find problem. They replaced the brakes, struts, steering column and still couldnt find it. It was discovered that it was a loose bolt, thats all. The A/C needed replaced 2xs Still warm air. The door handle keeps breaking. The driver seat tips forward when you brake and back when you step on the gas (Not so safe, eh?) Dealership has looked at it FIVE times and says nothng is wrong. Ive never owned any other car that had a driver seat with a spirit like that. Resale is terrible on this car. Tired of being asked by the Dealership, Will you give us a 10 for service? Just fix the car finally. Then maybe a "10"

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  Volvo s-60 - 2003 Volvo S60
  By itnom yemrat - August 23 - 10:00 am

  Overall can run nicely, however the service after your 36,000 is very high- 400.00 from this dealer(beechmont Volvo in Cincinnati. to change out the plugs & filter & call it a tune up!

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  No more SAAB stories. - 2012 Volvo S60
  By thinkwendy - August 22 - 5:55 pm

  I was involved in an accident with my 2006 SAAB 9.3 2.0 turbo in April returning from Spring Break. I was very lucky... I was going 70 MPH and a box truck had pulled over for the night, but did not pull all the way off the driving lanes. I was the third car to hit debris in the right driving lane and unfortunately my car was totaled. I had very minor injuries and witnessed some major injuries of the two vehicles that crashed before me. I went searching for a new vehicle and my mind was made up that I was going to get an SUV or crossover, but my heart did no race like it did when I was in my SAAB. I was spoiled and wanted luxury. I tea drove everything and fell in love with the VolvoS60

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  Driving in the snow - 2006 Volvo S40
  By dana - August 22 - 1:03 pm

  This is my first Volvo. I have previously owned SUVs and also similar sized cars, like the Accord and a Camry. This car handles great on drive pavement. I love the zippiness and great gas mileage. Overall, it is a wonderful car. However, it does not handle well in snow or rain. In fact it is just a step better than a RWD car. This is my second winter with this car and I am so dissappointed.