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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  excellent wagon - 2000 Volvo V70
  By kowen - January 18 - 10:00 am

  Wonderful wagon, very fast and comfortable. Experience has been mostly positive but car is not without shortcomings. Stiff suspension makes around town driving an exercise in patience. Numerous rattles throughout the interior make it necessary to crank the stereo. Once on the highway however, the car is very quiet. Dealer feels the nature of being a wagon, coupled with the amount of aluminum used in the build results in chassis flex which causes all the rattling. Another disappointment is the fuel economy. A combination of city/highway miles with a conservative driving style nets about 19 mpg.

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  Too many electrical problems - 1998 Volvo S70
  By kesh - January 18 - 10:00 am

  I liked the car at first but has been too unreliable. I had a battery replaced after 2.5 yrs and the new one went out again yesterday after 1 year only. I have had two door locks go out and multiple electrical parts replaced after the warranty expired. Volvos are very expensive to fix and costs have added up quickly. It seems like I have to take it in to be serviced every few months for one problem or another. Bought it for safety reasons and friends suggestion but never again. I will stick with a Japanese luxury next time.

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  Transformation of Volvo - 2006 Volvo V70
  By Tom - January 13 - 7:30 am

  Having been a Volvo owner for 25 years, I was surprised by how more luxurious this Volvo was from my older Volvos. Great ride,power, and comfort. Also, great upgraded sound system.

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  Impeccable road manners; a few minor nits - 2012 Volvo XC60
  By drat19 - January 5 - 4:04 am

  Traded in an 06 Acura TL for my new 2012 XC60 T6AWD because I needed some cargo carrying space but in a compact/midsize package whose cockpit could still accommodate my tall/big body. Acura RDX was a finalist but then when I looked at the Volvo XC60 found too much more to like, especially the performance of the T6, and versatile interior. My first 2000 mile road trip revealed a few minor nits (somewhat tight footwell space, a few bugs in the new Sensus system, quirky nav system), but the XC60s impeccable road manners overcome these nits...its such a smooth performer with the T6, cargo capacity is superior for this size/segment, and the handling is also good for a relatively tall CUV.

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  Our 2002 Volvo S60 2.4T - 2002 Volvo S60
  By idrum4u - January 3 - 7:41 am

  Good on open highways, terrible ride on rougher roads. Great engine, but terrible car quality overall. Purchased new with 8K on odometer: * Before 30K miles: - Engine mounts broke - Black smoke from air.cond vents (on inspection Calabasas Volvo reported nothing found.. yeah right) - some air.cond fans no longer work - Radio sporadically changes station - Suspension bushings broke - Defrost broke - only does 1/2 window * Before 60K: - Transmission problems - takes 5+ secs to get in gear - Roof gutter-tracks paint is pealing - Plastic ext. trim is popping off - Plastic ext. trim quickly faded to light gray - Eng. mnts broke a 2nd time * much much more..

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  Drives like a car, totes like a UTE - 2001 Volvo V70
  By polyas1st - December 31 - 4:44 pm

  Volvos are, like most European cars for people who like to drive. Despite being needlessly burdened with a 4wd system, riding 3" too high , and having 300lbs of extra weight, this car actually handles competently. I do my own work on the car so repair costs arent really an issue but if you had to have it worked on it would be pretty expensive to maintain properly. It is certainly more expensive to run than a Kia Sorento which is because it is not a Kia Sorento. I like the fact that everything is heavy duty, even the leather on the seats is surprisingly thick.

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  pricey but nice - 2009 Volvo V50
  By crs - December 30 - 3:16 pm

  V50 R, is my 4th Volvo (still have XC90 and C30, recently traded xc70) First impression is the V5o isnt up t the high standard of the others. I really got the feeling that I was in a rebadged Focus. Funny thing is though this car can grow you on. The comforts are subtle. Performance is great, handling is top notch( unless you hit bumps then you feel the sport suspension) For city driving with the kids it is perfect, neither too small( C30, nor too big XC90) Volvo has switched to this clunky menu/ enter / select / exit audio and phone control system which stinks. Huge distraction which ought not be tried while driving. Odd development for a car that promotes safety. The previous was better

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  Not all that great! - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Nancy - December 27 - 6:56 pm

  Try parallel parking at night when there is no outdoor lighting and it might change your mind about your purchase of this model without buying the Bliss feature. Tinted and extra small rear windows make it hard to see at night. Volvo does not make an adequate dog gate for this model and the one you may have from your wagon will not fit.

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  2001 Volvo V40 - 2001 Volvo V40
  By Volvo convert - December 25 - 8:36 pm

  My Corolla was totaled while parked on the street (who could have foreseen that?!), so in replacing it I was thinking safety, which the V40 has in droves (save for stability control, which was reserved for $40K cars in 2001). The V40 has turned out to be an ideal compromise between all the things I want in a car. While it doesnt excel in any one category (except for safety and comfort, Volvos trademarks), the V40 does everything pretty darn well! You dont have to trade efficiency for performance, you get both at above average levels. Same for size vs. cargo space, handling vs. ride; all the places where you expect to give up one thing to get another. Handles everything you throw at it.

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  After 1300 miles, learning more about my XC60 - 2017 Volvo XC60
  By Steve Fox - December 14 - 10:54 am

  Just completed first couple of long trips .... so now willing to document my thoughts on my new 2017 XC60 (last year of the generation). Pros: a) seats are really comfortable (this is a renowned attribute, but I can confirm); b) fuel economy is decent (averaging 25mpg so far); c) plenty of good features (heated steering wheel, ability to start the car from my iPhone etc). d) build quality seems good - nice thunk when closing door etc. Cons: a) handling is just OK; b) heated front windshield has annoyingly visible heating wires; c) infotainment and instrument panel is definitely showing its age ... one example, no ability to see phone messages; no ability to change speed display to km/h (would have been useful when driving to Montreal)