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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  Good but needs a overhaul - 2010 Volvo XC90
  By someone! - July 28 - 12:40 pm

  I got this car for my wife and we did the European delivery program which was amazing, I recommend it dearly, Ive owned many volvos and this one is the best so far, the only problem Ive had with it is the right middle pillars plastic molding will rattle over jittery bumps and the materials in the interior are not up to date. but one thing if you get the 3.2 you probably will want AWD because it makes it drive much better and without it its kinda slow

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  Volvo--Swedish for Mechanics friend - 2000 Volvo V40
  By mffraser - July 28 - 10:00 am

  This car is about to be the worst car I ever owned. It has had numerous problems with headlight burnout-8 times, engine mounts worn out, turbo gasket leak, it now stalls frequently, the brakes last about 30K, and this is with proper maintenance.

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  Pleasure to drive - 2001 Volvo S80
  By Huck Finn - July 28 - 10:00 am

  I admit that at first I was hesistant to buy the S80. I had friends with the first model year 99 that had nothing but trouble. My experience has been just the opposite. The car has performed beyond my expectations. Comfort and pleasurable drive. Passengers have always commented on the comfort in the back. Surprising acceleration for such a large vehicle. No maintenance issues at all. I am quite please with my choice and look forward to future offerings....a few years from now.

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  Volvo for Life...NOT ANYMORE! - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Jason L - July 27 - 11:07 am

  After owning 5 Volvos before this one, we were Volvo for Life! This car looks great....with that said, thats about it. DONT BUY THIS CAR. Got ours new June and it has been in the shop almost half the time. TONS of false promises from Volvo and the dealer about fixing it. Pretty sure they are ALL lemons and we are about to start the Lemon law process with our dealer. For the record Volvo has had to buy back tons of them already! So many issues I dont know where to start. Volvo knows there are so many problems, but refuse to do anything about them. They are trying to come up with fixes on the fly. That was exactly what the dealer told me. The Turbo on the 4 cylinder is a joke and it sounds like a jet engine from inside the car and nothing can be done about it. The tablet that controls EVERYTHING, is the devil! Never works, freezes up, goes off for no reason and on and on and on. Doors locks dont work, foot activated tailgate doesnt work, I can continue! VOLVO YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF! If you are considering this car, look at the new Acura MDX, or the Audi Q7.

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  best buy in the luxury entry level class - 2006 Volvo S40
  By joseph from rockford - July 27 - 8:16 am

  i was looking for a 4 door sedan for my wife. we looked at the 3 series bmw (too pricey when options are added in) the audi A4 (wife hated the styling) and the C class mercedes (my choice, but it wasnt for me) we(she) choose the volvo for its safty features. i wound up buying it because comparably equipped it was several thousands less that its german counterparts. the drivers seat with its 12 way power and lumbar support is more comfortable than most family room recliners. it has all the bells and whistles to keep the conversation going at the country club. and its a good looking car. complaints? maybe the faux wood. but the dealer we bought from was first class. would buy again.

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  Another Volvo Success Story - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By David - July 27 - 3:26 am

  I have driven many SUVs including Land Rover, Explorer, Isuzu, and GMC - but for the value - this Volvo is the best. It turns heads and starts conversations, looks aggressive, and yet is super comfortable inside with all the creature features you could want. My only wish - better mileage - but it still beats the LR and Explorer in that department.

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  V4 engine but turbo charged drive - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By twinmom - July 25 - 2:40 pm

  Great SUV. Very smooth on road. Not great mileage. Very comfortable interiors. Love the double sun roof.

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  s40 t5 - 2004 Volvo S40
  By jeff50 - July 25 - 10:00 am

  fun to drive,quick, stylish, great seats , comfortable, great sound system, lots of saftey features

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  Ultimate Sleeper Car - 2004 Volvo V70
  By SPARTACUS369 - July 25 - 10:00 am

  I have to say this is the most fun to drive wagon! The best part of the car (and there are many) is the sleeper effect it has over other sports cars. Unless the sports car driver beside you knows cars, you can usually get the look of shock from said driver when they get left standing at the lights by a "family" wagon.

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  T6 AWD - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By APC - July 25 - 10:00 am

  I enjoy driving this SUV