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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  New Volvo parents of a 2004 XC 90 - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By welcon1 - April 25 - 10:00 am

  JUst brought our new baby (XC 90) home this week. Already own a 94 940 Turbo and couldnt wait to have another Volvo in the family (but had to until daughter graduated from college!!!)... She (the SUV) is beautiful and exceeded our expectations. Smooth ride for an SUV, comfortable, and easy to wash (no sharp edges, corners, or protrusions to deal with). I KNOW MY FAMILY WILL BE SAFE FOR YEARS TO COME IN THIS VEHICLE. Its been like x-mas around here since our new "baby" has arrived.

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  Volvo S60 Is Just Alright With Me - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Edan S. - April 23 - 11:07 am

  Im not quite sure what to say about the S60, I bought it to replace my 2000 Volvo V70, which I loved. I sort of bought this car because I was getting reading to take a winter road trip to Montana and wanted something with AWD. I would have preferred an XC-70, but couldnt find one for the right price or in the time I allotted myself. I ended up seeing my S60 for sale at the local BMW dealership for $6995 with 102,000 miles. It was a one-owner vehicle purchased from and always serviced on time at the local Volvo dealership in town. After taxes and fees I think I ended up spending more than $8K, which in retrospect was way too high. I did, however, end up getting new tires (Michelin all seasons) right away, the old ones were "ok," but not great, some sheep skin seat covers (some of the stitching split on the drivers side seat), and some OEM Volvo all-weather floor mats (all worthwhile investments). So the car, its much smoother than my old wagon, great acceleration despite the additional 600lbs of the Haldex AWD system, decent gas mileage and road handling. Like all Volvos, the seats are supremely comfortable--second-to-none! My cars trial by fire was a 900+ mile road trip to Montana in December amid regular blizzards and arctic temperatures. My gas mileage was pretty decent over 28mpg at over 80mph most of the time. As with most vehicle, it handles really poorly on ice, it does however, do great in the snow. Once those back wheels start to grip, the thing can go almost anywhere (within reason). I did find out at the dealership during my last service that my control arm bushings are bad, so that might account for some of the sketchiness on the ice and just the freeway in general. Much to my surprise yet again, the A/C and heating systems are some of the best Ive encountered! Some of the other reviews have mentioned the cramped nature of the backseats, that is true, its very tight with a full-size adult sitting back there. The trunk while spacious has a fairly narrow opening which makes it a difficult to put some things in. I have a wheeled cooler that I like to take to the beach which often has to sit on the backseat rather than in the trunk. It fits fine in my wifes 2007 Jetta, but that has a higher and wider trunk I guess. Overall, I dont have a lot of gripes with this car. I enjoy driving it and its a nice looking vehicle. One of my biggest concerns though is the creeps, groans, and clunks I was experiencing over the winter. Anytime I would go over uneven pavement or speed humps the car made some weird noises from the front end. Maybe its some back chassis bushings, maybe it is the control arms, or it could even be the struts? All I know is it makes me apprehensive when it happens. Its been great over the summer though, no issues like that whatsoever. I can foresee this car treating me well for the foreseeable future. Will it be as good as my old V-70? Only time will tell.

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  NEVER will we buy a Volvo again.. - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Jen - April 23 - 4:00 am

  I am the original owner of this car. We paid MSRP (I know, I know). The car is loaded and was fabulous for about a year. We have had to replace all four tires 4 times, brakes 4 times, transmission, rear bearings.. engine problems, key fob problems, seat belt problem, water leaking... You name it, weve had it. The ONLY thing we did right was buy the extended warranty. Has saved us $10k, easily.

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  R for Racing - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Volvo - April 22 - 5:46 pm

  This is the 2nd Volvo R I have purchased. It drives smoothly and has good balance. If you drive on rough roads this isnt the car for you. If luxury, safety and performance are of concern, look no further. The Automatic is significantly slower than the manual - absolutely take the aero package. This car gets more looks than Pamela Anderson - Enjoy.

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  2000 Volvo S80 2.9 - 2000 Volvo S80
  By tomcatskid - April 22 - 2:00 am

  I think that the car is overrated for the price. Its too many kinks in it and I have not gotten the enjoyment out of the car that I thought I would. Its a little to sluggish for me. The electronic throttle module and gas pedal potentiameter went out on it at 57,000 miles. Even though I had an extended warranty, VOLVO did not want to honor it initially. I really think there may also be a problem with the electrical system and the transmission.

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  Volvo S80 - 2000 Volvo S80
  By tails - April 22 - 2:00 am

  Solid driving car. Delivers excellent performance with very good fuel economy. Still the best styled car on the road.

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  Just Bought One! - 2007 Volvo V70
  By Dave - LA - April 21 - 6:33 am

  I have been wanting to purchase a V70 or XC70 for a few years. I swapped my Toyota 4Runner due to gas mileage for the V70. The Volvo drives and sounds a lot like my Honda Accord that I had 12 years ago! I love that Honda and I love the way this car drives. I will be using the car for surfing, so I opted for the optional roof racks which do produce some wind noise. The biggest suprise is the performance. I have owned 3 porsches and I currently own a 911. I must say the Volvos pick up is excellent, and I can really feel the turbos kick. I am very pleased with the car so far, and I hope to keep it for at least 8-10 years!

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  Best Vehicle Ive Ever Owned - 1996 Volvo 850
  By cking3177 - April 20 - 12:26 pm

  When I purchased the Volvo in 1996, I had no idea that Id still be driving it and loving it 12 years later. It is still very quiet and comfortable. Ive never had any out-of-the ordinary repair issues. This is a great car!

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  XC90 V8 review - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Dixon Gannett - April 20 - 1:03 am

  Have owned 3 XC90s - 2 T5s. The V8 2005 is the best vehicle I have ever owned - throttle responsive, quiet, smooth, handles very well for an SUV. Fuel mileage: 14 city, 21 highway, (maybe 22 after break-in). City handling - excellent, highway tracking - very good. Build quality - best I have seen in 50 years. Exterior design and fits - excellent. Interior design and fits - excellent. Volvo has done it with this vehicle. I would buy another in a minute and recommend it to my grand daughter or anyone. Hard to turn over - if at all - very safe Volvo design - Volvo for life! Fuel economy for V8 - very good on the highway.

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  Love this car! - 2006 Volvo S40
  By happyinnh - April 18 - 5:06 pm

  You cant find a better car for the price. All the features on my Volvo made it irresistible, heated leather seats, traction control, 6 CD changer with 12 speakers, sunroof, I love it. It is so much fun to drive, I find that the 2.4L engine is enough for daily driving, it has good pickup and delivers a smooth ride. I feel so safe when I get into this car, and it handles really well.