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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  Bought it only for its looks! - 2002 Volvo C70
  By PittPanther - February 8 - 10:00 am

  This car is pure eye candy and we have had lots of people comment how beautiful and elegant the coupe is. The is more room for tall people than in any other luxury coupe. However, given the still somewhat steep price tag the car offers suprisingly little features and doesnt ride and handle as well as many cheaper cars. The power seats are a mere joke, the stereo in the center console an after-thought and I would advise anyone not to use the cup holders while driving - spillage guaranteed. The T5 engine is so-so at low speeds and only comes alive when revved real hard. Parking the car is a chore in tight spaces. Bottom line: buy it for its looks.

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  Drives great, especially to repair shop - 1998 Volvo V70
  By bkw - February 8 - 10:00 am

  Love driving this car - in any weather. Seats are terrific and adjust to any position. Performance - esp. handling - is very good (and I have had Audis and a Porsche before). Just drove 3500 miles on vacation and was rarely uncomfortable. Echoing some other reviews, trips to Volvo repair are WAY too frequent and very expensive. Eats brakes ($1k for all 4) and turn signal bulbs. Front susp supports replaced on both sides ($750 per side), generator, air pump, weld a door hinge ($500 each), its endless. Fuel usage around 17mpg in city but about 28 on hwy.

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  When its on the road, excellent ride! - 2002 Volvo S80
  By carold - February 8 - 10:00 am

  I love this cars comfortable from the soft leather seats to the excellent sound system. Pure comfortable riding down the road. However I bought my S-80 first year out and it has been in the garage more times than I dare to count. Gas line problems, exhaust problems, would not take in gas, collant always needing filled, CD player needed replace, sun roof track broke, under mount was not in correctly, engine mount broke off, not to mention the big issue...the transmission completely went out. Luckly everything except the last $1,200 has been under warrenty.

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  best everyday road car on the market - 2002 Volvo S60
  By future driving - February 8 - 10:00 am

  You can drive this car slow, fast in bad weather, and its such a joy. Always get out of the car smiling. I had this car over 110mph just crusing and it changes lanes with exceptional road feel. Ill drive slow and just enjoy the excellent sound system and living room like seats. This Car handles great in bad weather for all you BMW or rear wheel lovers.

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  Volvo For Life - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Flash Turner - February 5 - 11:56 am

  Volvo got it right when they built the 1996 volvo 850 turbo platium edition. Comfort, reliability, safety and passenger experience are all awesome. The engine is so good that Volvo is putting it in its new 2008 C30--rock-solid engineering. Dont know why Volvo didnt put the T-5 (with 218 horses) in the S80 or why didnt they put the R S-60 engine in the S80. All I know is when Volvo built the 850 Turbo they built a legend. The 1996 850 R are still selling for a lot of money.

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  The Truth about the 2001 Volvo V70XC! - 2001 Volvo V70
  By brent g - February 5 - 1:36 am

  I bought this car in 2003 and the transmission was replaced under warranty. I was told by a tech that all the 2001s had a software problem that if it wasnt fixed in time would cause permanent damage. Over the history of this car the throttlebody, radiator & fan, sensors and mounts were all replaced under warranty. Make sure these repairs are done or that you have a warranty! I currently have 120k miles on the car and running well. I was recently hit (drvrs frnt) by a teen boy who ran a red light but slowed to about 20mph. My wife and 3 kids were in the car. The damage to the car was literally unidentifiable except for a slight hood adj that was made in a few minutes. What more can I say.

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  Buyer Beware! - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By LHawk - February 4 - 11:34 am

  I have had this car since April 2016. It is a beautiful car with a comfortable interior and nice ride. Thats where it ends. Since day 1, the voice navigation system has not worked. The back-up camera doesnt always come on when you put the car in reverse. The car stopped accelerating while I was driving and had to be towed to the dealership. The foot-activated tailgate sensor doesnt work. The climate control goes from barely there to hurricane force. The touch screen has gone blank on multiple occasions. The gas gauge doesnt provide an accurate reading of miles left in the tank. I actually ran out of gas - Ive been driving 30+ years and have never run out of gas - even as a poor teenager! On multiple occasions the accident avoidance feature engaged - when there wasnt a car around me. The a/c stopped working. It has been in and out of the dealership multiple times - each time with the hope that the latest software update would solve the problems. This last fix was supposed to solve the navigation issue. The technician sat in the car with me and we tried to use the navigation and it switched me to the Music. That was the last straw. I am pushing the dealership to get me out of my lease - I am not interested in another Volvo - I just want out of this unsafe, unreliable vehicle.

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  really disappointed - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By oliver986 - February 4 - 10:00 am

  love the looks, but could not be more disappointed with volvo and the vehicle. vehicle died on me 3 times, including a road trip, and other than a dealer in florida i took the car to on vacation, the dealers were not very helpful. i know 1 other xc90 t6 owner who has had the same computer ignition problem, so im not the only one. i wrote a letter to the ceo of volvo, who, in my owner information, said to contact him with any concerns. i have never heard back from anyone at volvo on my problems. nor did i ever hear from anyone to confirm my car was working after several roadside assistance calls. not the kind of upscale experience i expected. so i trade

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  Great family car and fun to drive too - 2004 Volvo S80
  By Prepsel - February 4 - 10:00 am

  I use to own a 2001 S80 and loved that car after putting 60,000 miles on it. After stepping into the 2004 S80, I love this car even more, there have been many changes made since 2001 and all for the better.

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  Happy with my S70 - 1998 Volvo S70
  By Volvo devotee - February 3 - 8:10 am

  This is my third Volvo, and by far the best. I had my life saved by my first Volvo and will remain brand loyal. The car still looks brand new when washed and waxed - also the interior still has the new car smell. Problems have been minor, ABS had to be repaired, check engine light comes on sometimes, but overall I am very happy with the car and the peace of mind knowing that I can live through a serious collision.