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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  Grand wedding over, marriage begins - 2007 Volvo C70
  By Paulvo - July 16 - 10:43 am

  I thought I was getting a sporty, luxurious convertible; after 2500 miles, its just a reliable Swedish 4- seater hardtop convertible; Sporty- car is too heavy & the suspension is like my old mans ‘92 Buick Park Avenue; acceleration- good; cornering not tight; steering- too loose; also, it looks sporty for a Volvo, but come on, consider your baseline; Luxury- nice overall amenities, but there’s room for improvement (see comments below; also, no sunglass case, for $48K?!); Convertible- definitely an attractive European hardtop convertible with a unique 4 seater feature (it won’t be for long– BMW’s version launches in 07); no buyer’s remorse (yet), but I’m not sure I would repeat my choice

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  36K Miles - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Mike McNutt - July 14 - 8:30 am

  Ours is fully equipped with everything. We driven it 36K miles and really like the car. We have taken 3500 mile trips, and two over 2000 miles. I like the car as a daily driver as well. We have had trouble with the brakes, light coming on and the power assist, was in five times for the problem, but never a safety issue, just a nuisance. Avg. 20-22 mpg on hwy, 14-17 in town. The best 26mpg. Plenty of power for everything except drag racing.

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  good, bad , and the ugly - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By dachshund - July 13 - 2:00 am

  Volvo has produced a very attractive vehicle. The XC-90 is very comfortable and feels solid. Overall we are very happy with the vehicle. It has average accleration, but is extremely potent when asked to do a high speed pass. Ive noticed that the 4-speed automatic does not shift as seamlessly as I would expect for a premium vehicle.Ive also noticed a minor design flaw with the seat belts in the second row. The belt will catch on the release latch to the third row and turn perpendicular to the door panel, and since there is not enough clearance, if you do not reposition it manually it will gouge the door panel and cut the seat.

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  Not as good since Ford influence - 2000 Volvo S70
  By Trader1997 - July 8 - 10:00 am

  The quality not as good as the 95 850 I traded in for this one. Steering looser, pickup not as steady or quick, handling not up to 95 standards. Have had nothing but problems from the day I drove it off the lot. Some major, some minor such as the ever present taillights going out. If I buy another, it will be the older 850 with low miles, its a better vehicle and more dependable.

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  A Shop Queen - 2005 Volvo V50
  By Former Volvo Lover - July 3 - 11:30 am

  The car goes into the shop multiple times a year for warranty repairs. Lately, it has been in the shop more than Ive been able to drive it. Some of the many issues include a major fuel leak warning, a sunroof drain routed to the drivers feet(and resulting flood), broken keys (they actually broke apart), air conditioning which suddenly spews hot air and then suddenly goes back to cold air (only on one side), broken sunroof motor, squeaky brakes (even new), broken antenna in the steering wheel which disables your key and strands you with no way to turn your car on (subsequent tow (by Volvo) resulting in a punctured oil pan and finger pointing by the Volvo Customer Service and Service Reps).

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  GREAT and Terrible all in one - 2002 Volvo S60
  By DrQ - July 1 - 10:56 pm

  We bought our S60 in 2003 and we have been very happy with the performance of the car. Cosmetically however there is room for a world of improvement. The gas cover doors have a tendency to fall off (Ive seen at least 50 Volvos from 2001-2003 riding around without the cover since ours fell off while traveling on I-95). According to our mechanic (Volvo certified) they replace about 10-15 gas covers per month. The console door likewise has a tendency to become non-functional.

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  Volvo Rocks My World - 2007 Volvo V70
  By Cheryl and Greg - July 1 - 10:00 am

  I wanted safety first. I got safety.I drive in ice and snow worry free laughing at all the other drivers who stay home in the winter. I wanted dependability. This car has 92,000 miles on it, and other than tires and oil changes, it has never, ever broken down. I bow down to Volvo as a nervous mom of 2 driving teenage daughters who have used it as their first car; as a family on vacation who can stuff more stuff in its cargo area than a truck;as owners of two Welsh corgis and two Newfoundlands who could not damage the leather interior no matter what they dragged aboard.It was expensive;now I know why: it will last forever and stay beautiful!It looks as good/performs as well as it did day one.

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  This is an excellent Automobile strong. - 2009 Volvo XC70
  By XC70 - July 1 - 10:00 am

  I drive on the parkways & Interstates weekly great Highway car comfortable great ride but one drawback is I only can get about 24mpg on the open road around town milage is poor. This is my 1st volvo and will never own any other car again its strength in incredable. The service is also very good I have brought the car to a dealer in Riverhead longisland didnt even by the car from the and recieved excellent service

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  Happy customer - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By millie - July 1 - 10:00 am

  After driving many competitors in the smaller-SUV "luxury" market, was enticed by XC60s size, styling, warranty and maintenance program. For a medium sized SUV I find the trunk space to be adequate (MUCH better than the Audi Q5). Have the Turbo and it is a zippy awesome driving experience. It is a comfortable, lovely ride. Controls are easy to use/operate. Complaints (minor) are no change holder in center console. Wind whistles through the sunroof area when you go above 40mph (need to get that checked out). The tan interior is lighter than I expected so bought stain protection out of fea--it is doing its job.

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  Good vehicle - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By islander71 - June 20 - 2:00 am

  When we traded in our 1998 Jeep Cherokee we had three main criteria for our new vehicle. 1) Safety 2) Room 3) AWD This vehicle has all of the above and are all done well.