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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  Great Car Fantastic Durabilty - 1999 Volvo S70
  By Chris - August 26 - 2:33 pm

  This car is one of the best for reliabitly. Can be an annoying problem with electrical warning lights sometimes going off for no reason. Everyone seems to have that check engine problem. Car still looks and runs great.

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  VOLVO S80 - 1999 Volvo S80
  By MANUEL SOTELO - August 25 - 10:00 am

  VOLVO NEEDS TO FIX THERE TIE ROD PROBLEMS

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  too soo to tell... - 2002 Volvo S80
  By Ed Malcolm - August 25 - 10:00 am

  I like my S-80, but I cant say I love it. When I bought my 90 Hoda Accord EX I loved it. But that was an upgrade over an 86 Escort, so maybe just the comparison was more extreme. I see now why Volvo makes a Turbo, pick-up leaves something to be desired. I had a real problem getting comfortable in the drivers seat for a while, but one of us has adjusted. Had to have an airbag replaced twice now.

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  My S60 Saved My Life - 2006 Volvo S60
  By Bill - August 22 - 1:06 am

  05 S60 AWD. Spun last weekend on black ice. No time to brake. 65mph into wire retaining guardrail. Absolutely no injury expect a glass shard in my hand. The retaining wires stopped 6 inches from my head. The EMTs, Police, Fire, Insurance Adjuster and Autobody man all stated. If you were in anything but a Volvo you would have been decapitated!! I pick up my used 06 S60 FWD next week. Dont opt for AWD, slight jack up in rear gives funky handling, less mileage, more to go wrong, and noticible front to rear and back power transfers.

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  Great with a few issues... - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By VonKod - August 21 - 10:00 am

  This is one of the best SUVs I have owned, however I do have a few concerns: Interior - the wood inlays look and feel extremely cheap (think plastic). Additionally, the brushed aluminum/chrome interior door handles look extremely cheap. Volvo needs to take style types from BMW on wood inlays! Gas Mileage - much worse than advertised. Expect 10-13 MPH only.

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  never a volvo again - 1999 Volvo V70
  By perkins - August 21 - 4:20 am

  I bought a volvo for the first time in 99. based on reputation for safety and reliability. Although it is a very usable cargo space and comfortable ride and excellent visibility, it has been a repair nightmare. I began having very poor a/c problems finally had to replace it under warranty, and the repairs on electrical issues, interior body hardware, (shift light, window controls, seat controls on driver side, wagon hatchback door)after the warranty expired have been very costly and dont last long. I have spent way too much money on repairs, hoping to hold onto the car for at least ten years, and its been six and Im giving up d/t repairs.Reg. maintenance made no difference. Sad story.

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  No longer a big Volvo fan - 2006 Volvo S60
  By Rob - August 19 - 11:10 am

  I have owned and loved 5 Volvos including this one and an XC90 that we still have. I bought the 06 S60 with about 47k miles on it and as soon as the warranty expired, it was in the shop about every 6 weeks with $500- $1500 repairs. A/C compressor disintegrated, then a A/C o-ring blew out (all during July and August), the engine air flow sensor failed twice, front end needed frequent alignment, right front passenger window would go up and down without me doing anything, the radio wouldnt change stations some times. Traded it in after 9 months on a 2009 Saab 93.

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  New Standard for SUVs - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Swedishsmitten - August 19 - 8:08 am

  Very simply this is a great automobile. We had been a Jeep Grand Cherokee family for 20 years but needed a 3rd row. Base suspension is great. Very smooth and firm, which means it does not feel like a boat. Check your tire pressure when you first get the car. Ours had 45 psi which we found out it quite common as they overfill in Sweden so the tires do not flat spot in shipping. They should check it before delivery but ours was missed. I think some of the rough ride comments are caused by this. After correcting this the ride is amazing. Seats are the best I have ever sat in with great lumbar adjustment. The power is fine. 316 horsepower from a 4 cylinder engine is amazing.

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  Frustrated - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Ccsbtm - August 14 - 10:00 am

  In the last six weeks we have had 4 major system problems; brakes, cruise contol, a/c fan and automatic transmission. We have no confidence in this vehicle and Volvo USA is basically useless. Once you buy it you are stuck. Now when we go any sort of distance we take our five year old Toyota rather than our new $45,000 Volvo. I think that says it all.

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  Sound Investment - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Loadmaster - August 8 - 2:00 am

  This is the fourth Volvo my wife and I have owned. There have been two S70s and one V40. So far the S60 has been a sound investment. During the first weekend of driving, I put on approx 350 miles. Some of that was during a major snow storm following a New England Patriots game. The handling was very good during the storm. My wife and I have become true Volvo loyalists.