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 for a long commute - 2016 Volvo XC60
  By Sam Brown - May 20 - 3:25 am

  I bought a 2016 XC60 T5 Premier in Flamenco Red with the Soft Beige leather interior. The only option is the BLIS package. I drive 160 miles a day, mostly on interstate. The XC60 is great on the highway: Smooth, fast enough, quiet, stable, and big enough to inspire confidence. I get about 28 MPG on the highway using regular gas. I generally cruise between 75 and 80 mph, and the XC60 is a fun, satisfying, soothing car to get home in. And while it’s not a sports car, the XC60 is also fun and comfortable on twisty back roads. It’s small enough to feel nimble and pointable—not at all trucky. I can’t compare it to an X3 or Q5, but it compares favorably to my previous Mazda3, especially given the Volvo’s different mission in life. Good steering feel, balance, grip, and braking. The seats are great once you get them right. That took some doing but now I have a great position saved in memory. The leather and other materials seem nice now, but a year-old used one I looked at had not held up well. It had done time in New Mexico—I’m hoping the heat was a factor. The only feature I would change is the start-stop system. It’s an interesting idea and sometimes works well, but more often is an annoyance. It should be permanently defeatable, instead of having to be turned off every time. I also think a back-up camera should be standard, especially from a company known for safety. And it’s a little more rattly than the Japanese cars I’ve owned, but I kind of expected that. Overall this is a great car for me right now. Comfortable, classy, fuel-efficient, satisfying to drive, and, as long as it’s reliable, I’m looking forward to my three daughters using up whatever’s left of it when I’m done.

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  Volvo Man - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Q - May 16 - 9:23 pm

  The car is enjoyable enough. I stink at driving and dog my cars and its still going great at almost 70,000 miles. I would not recommend the car, buy a Honda its cheaper and more reliable. But if you really love Volvos its not too bad.

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  Volvo C70 - 2006 Volvo C70
  By Elaine - May 15 - 11:33 pm

  I have 2000 miles on my car and I have already had the cable in the convertible top replaced, the A/C compressor replaced and I am waiting for a new fuel pump to arrive. The headliner, which was damaged when the cable broke will be replaced in the Fall. Needless to say, I am not thrilled.

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  Volvo S70 T5 - 1998 Volvo S70
  By wf - May 14 - 7:00 pm

  Overall solid car. Fast runner. For a sedan, the Turbo really screams. Front tire traction becomes a little unsteady under extreme acceleration. Good in the snow. Looking at other reviews, had some similar problems, frequent bulb changes, leather door panels bubbled, some minor engine sensors replaced, lot of front wheel brake dust, wheel rim quality could be better, leather steering wheel gets gummed up easily. Front air dam is too low for most parking lots, gets damaged easily.

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  Great to Drive My Wifes Car - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Miner - May 14 - 2:00 am

  Wer letting our daughters use our stalwart 240 wagon at university. My wife wanted Toyota, Subaru maybe Honda, but not BMer, Mercedes, or Jag. Maintenance is concern. I drive Suburban and Ferrari. Volvo is great to run around town and highway is fine. Sport package and turbo helps. Mileage is ok--22. Steering is safe but not Ferrari. Breaks good. Sweet car!

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  Fabulous Car, When It Is Working - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Sportscarnut - May 14 - 2:00 am

  Exceptional performance/style for the $. Nothing else competes with it in this price range. Unfortunately, it has HORRIBLE reliability. In 18 months the following was replaced: motor mount, ABS control unit, turn signal switch, brake rotors, oxygen sensor, mass flow sensor, door trim, upper strut mount (2 times), oil return line, strut assembly, ignition switch. Parts failed about every 2 months, and the parts always had to be special ordered. I was fortunate that it was under warranty. Be very careful about buying one used.

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  Nice vehicle but Broken already - 2004 Volvo C70
  By Duner - May 14 - 2:00 am

  Purchased a C70 for the wife. Chassis roll is significant as is cowl shudder , Exterior Design is really nice , interior is good, Volvo missed with the 3 CD insert tray and interior Door handles can pinch your fingers when opening the door, electric seats are slow. automatic roof is very nice, prologic stereo is nice as well. Overall the vehicle is a very roomy and sporty Convertible. Engine drone of 5 cylinder is rather annoying under acceleration, plenty of HP . large gas tank . 500 miles and the power steering is making its death nell sounds, Brakes seem to nearly touch the floor. But the vehicle does stop.

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  Still going strong - 2000 Volvo V70
  By matkat - May 13 - 4:26 am

  Bought used at 123k miles and now with 139k, this has been a great car. It is very solid, drives great, and for me has been very reliable. Ive spent a total of $155 over the past 15 months on repairs. I would not hesitate to drive this 9 year old car cross country today. We had a snowstorm this year and the car was incredible. High praise from someone whos lived on Rabbit Ears Pass, CO. It was not pampered by the previous owner but the interior still looks almost new. So the complaints about cheap interiors just dont ring true. Its exterior design has held up well and unless you know Volvos it does not look nine. There is no rust, period.

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  Have Enjoyed this Car - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Anonymous - May 12 - 2:00 am

  I recently purchased my 2000 Volvo S80 less than two years ago with 97500 miles on it. I have been taking care of it, and it has been taking car of me. Disregarding preventative maintenance, the only parts I have had to change were the oxygen sensors (which were supposed to be changed at 100000 miles) and the battery. Many people complain that the repairs are expensive, which may be true for someone who for someone who feels bound to the dealer for all repairs. However if you are willing shop around for labor and parts, you can make the repair and maintenance experience comparable to other cars.

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  XC90 10,000 MILE REVIEW - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By lamluver - May 9 - 2:00 am

  OVERALL, I AM NOT DISAPPOINTED. FUEL ECONOMY CAN CERTAINLY BE IMRPOVED UPON. I AVERAGE 14 IN CITY DRIVING AND AROUND 18 HIGHWAY. WONDERING IF I HAD NOT CHOSEN THE TURBO 6 I COULD HAVE GOTTEN BETTER MILEAGE. FEW MINOR COMPLAINTS BUT OVERALL A SOLID VEHICLE.