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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  Ma Super T5 - 1998 Volvo S70
  By T5 Owner - July 5 - 10:00 am

  Man, this car ROCKS! Bought it when its 80000, now 100000. I just came back from a trip from Edmonton. This car is just WOW on highways. The turbo is superb, but the lag is annoying. Once the lags gone unlimited power comes. Ive drove this baby up to 200km/h Its still as steady as ever. This car screams at 4000rpm plus, but the power is wonderful. The headlights are awsome.

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  Standard suspension is WAY TOO HARSH! - 2017 Volvo XC90
  By BCWatty - July 3 - 5:31 pm

  Make sure you can live with the suspension, I could not deal with how harsh the ride was and traded the car after 8 months and 14K miles. You know how some cars are better than the sum of its individual parts (VW GTI, for instance)? This car has all the right parts, but, the vehicle made me feel like a beta tester - the computer which controls everything is too slooooooow - a trip for service had the software updated, but the computer got slower, not faster. Too much intervention with touch screen required to perform the simplest functions, and it is slow to react. The sensors go off randomly which flabbergasted me with trying to get them to just shut up! The rear seat belts constantly rattle against hard plastic, which drove me crazy, too. The dealership experience is not up to the standards of its peers, either. The design of the car is beautiful, but it just needs more refinement to be competitive. It is my fault I did not pay enough attention to the suspension during my test drive - my other car is a Ford Mustang, which has a much smoother ride experience. Either pay for the upgraded suspension, or know it will try to beat you to death with the standard suspension. I had such high hopes and am disappointed the car failed to meet my expectations.

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  Love the car in every way except for tires - 2015 Volvo V60
  By Grn567 - July 3 - 4:10 am

  2015.5 Volvo v60 premier e-drive Pros -handles great, very responsive - sporty, fast, so fun to drive - beautiful lines - silent cabin - most comfy seats - very good gas mileage though overstated, I think as best weve managed is 34 mpg - plenty of cargo space Cons - no doubt its falling grace are the cheap Continental tires. Im 45 years old, never a tire blow out in my life and Ive had 2 now in first 5 months of car - usb does not support iPhone 6 so only Bluetooth linkable which is kinda lame

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  Get one before everyone else does! - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Kampaku - July 2 - 3:06 am

  We live in a Chicago neighborhood, and we needed a car that could get us around in winter and fit in tight spaces, has enough cargo room to hold all the stuff that accompanies 2 young kids, and was enough fun to drive that my wife and I wouldnt mind hauling them around. The XC60 met all of those requirements, plus it isnt ubiquitous like Lexus RXs, Acura MDXs, and BMW X5s! There were a few features that I liked better in those cars and the Audi Q5, but weve been thrilled with the XC60 and would buy a 2nd one if had the the need & room.

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  Why did I buy this car? - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Terry - July 1 - 10:42 pm

  Update: Still hate my car, cant wait to get rid of it. Waiting for the 2018 BMW x5 to come out..... Have now had 3 app upgrade. Had no choice, my nav system stopped working. Have 12,000 miles and squeaky brakes and Im told I need new brake pads, really! It is just so hard to even figure out how to properly play the radio system. Ive had my car a year and I still cant figure it out. Had 3 recalls also. When they do take my car in for repair it takes them days, days. Just last week they had it 3 days. Should never of gotten this suv. I am not happy at all. Oh it looks great and thats what I fell for. But is not worth the $66,000 I paid for it. DONT BUY this you will be sorry..... I am

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  Silky Smooth Swedish Thing!! - 2001 Volvo S60
  By John M. - June 29 - 2:43 pm

  If this car were a woman, it would be the one youd never forget. Maybe it has a few quirks, maybe the turning radius is slim, maybe controls arent instantly intuitive. But the S60 has a silky smoothness everywhere your hands touch. And the T5 is more than just a pretty face. Theres something about a very comfortable driving position with a huge amount of power underfoot and silky smooth controls at your fingertips that make this Volvo an unforgettable experience. Granted, Ive only had mine for four months and 5K mi., so my impressions might be premature. But I almost always opt for driving the T5 over my BMW X5 when I have the chance. It just feels better.

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  volvo girl for life - 2004 Volvo S60
  By volvo gal - June 29 - 2:00 am

  I owned a S40 for two years and wanted more power, the s60 was it! the Volvo moto is correct. Volvo for Life. Once you have driven a volvo you will find it hard to ever go back to a honda! The s60 offers power when needed and comfort the whole way. Highly recommeded, body style is big and bad! if the HP of 204 w/ turbo is not enough plan on the ECU chip being released later this year, boosting to 304 HP!

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  Best Volvo So Far - 2000 Volvo V70
  By volvofanatic - June 29 - 2:00 am

  This is my 5th Volvo Wagon and it is by far the best I have ever owned. This one is a keeper. Great versatility and aggressive looks make this vehicle capable of getting second looks.

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  99 Volvo V70 base - 1999 Volvo V70
  By jerrsnbrg - June 29 - 2:00 am

  We bought the car with 50k miles, lots of squeaks, rattles. We had to replace AC at 62k, cost $1300. Im sure if I take it to the dealer they will find other problems. Overall a good car but I wonder about future reliabilty.

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  Safety with style - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By comp - June 29 - 2:00 am

  Outstanding daily driver. Easy to navigate in city traffic. Lots of power when needed. Very comfortable on long trips. Excellent gas mileage.