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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  XC60 T6 Review - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Paul - September 26 - 11:43 pm

  Compared; MB, BMW, Audi and Volvo. Owned MB, Lexus and Volvos (9th Volvo). Volvo best equipped for $$. Took delivery in Sweden. Excellent trip. 2500 miles on odo and mpg is running; 20 city, 22.5 combo and 24 highway. Turbo tip: taking it easy on the pedal will return decent mpg. T6 engine is smooth and the 6 speed trans shifts extremely well. The best riding and handling Volvo, for me, and of course the seats should be used as a industry standard for comfort and function. Did not purchase the nav system as Garmin is much easier to operate. I looked at the T6 R package but couldnt justify the extra $$ for what is included. The dealership calls to ensure I am happy. Bullet proof so far.

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  Volvo XC90 V8 - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By NHMan - September 24 - 1:33 pm

  Last vehicle was a 2004 Acura MDX. The XC90 has a better, with the V8, engine and transmission. Very comfortable with most of the controls in a good position. Only have 700 miles but have been averaging 19 mpg. Only driven it in the rain but the handling, while not sporty, is good. If you want a good overall SUV, this should be high on your list. Any BMW X5 will offer better handling and performance but doesnt have the cargo space.

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  Love my 2000 V70 4 Dr SE Wagon... - 2000 Volvo V70
  By Peatmoss - September 23 - 3:43 pm

  I bought this wagon 2 years ago with 126,000 miles on it. Im the 4th owner. As soon as I drove it I liked it. It did have a slight hesitation when accelerating but that turned out to be some sort of air module which was covered by a dealer recall. I got the car back and had the tie rod ends replaced, 4 new tires and an alignment and it runs like a new car... very smooth! I currently have a 177,000 miles and it still runs great! Not sure if its so reliable because it was built in Belgium (still has the Port of Entry sticker on it). I do mostly highway miles and have consistently averaged 27 - 29 mpg!! My goal is to reach 300,000+ miles!

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  Mixed feeling after nearly a year of ownership - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By CN - September 22 - 8:22 am

  My wife and I purchased the car last year after narrowing down the choices to this and an MB GL350 diesel. I preferred the Benz, but this car was for my wife and she liked it better. Between the two it is the better overall value option. Ours has every major option except the trailer hitch and HUD. Overall, its been a good car, but there are some nagging design faults that really detract from it. First up is the HUD. Im 6 2", and it was not possible to adjust the system to permit me to see it clearly; the top edge was always cut off, hence one of the reasons we didnt get that option. Next are the seats. They are the most uncomfortable seats I have ever had to suffer through. After nearly a year of driving it I still cant adjust them to a comfortable position. The seat bottoms literally pinch my butt on the drivers side. On the passenger side my tail bone sits directly on the seam for the extendable thigh support. The lumbar support in the seat back cant be set in a position that works for me for long periods. The seats in our car are the contour models (I think); maybe the comfort seats dont have these issues. For me, the 2nd row seats are far more comfortable. My wife is 5 3" and she doesnt have any issues with the seats. My recollection is the Swedes are pretty tall, so why cant they make a seat that fits a tall person? The next item is the cruise control. The controls are backwards in that a single button press adjust the speed up (or down) by 5 mph, while press and hold adjusts by 1 mph. These actions should be reversed. The infotainment/electronic systems occasionally glitch, though software updates seem to have generally improved their operation. The most serious glitch, experienced by me and my wife separately, has been the emergency braking warning going off for no reason, accompanied by the automatic emergency braking. This occurred to each of us on the highway. Fortunately, traffic was light during both instances, and the action was momentary. Fuel economy is, frankly, lousy considering the engine size. Were averaging around 21-22 mpg in mixed driving. The best weve managed was about 25 mpg on a 450-miles trip. Our Odysseys engine is nearly twice the size and that car gets nearly 30 mpg on the highway. And, its a larger car (and weighs the same). Compounding the low fuel economy is the ridiculously small fuel tank. 18.5 gallons? Seriously? It should be at least 20, preferably more given the lousy economy. Volvo really missed an opportunity by not offering a V6, or bringing the diesel to the U.S. On the plus side, the infotainment system is easy to use. The ride with the air suspension is sublime. It feels like a tank. Fit and finish, and materials are first rate and every bit on par (or better) than the Germans. The biggest plus in my book, though, is that my wife absolutely loves the car, so its a keeper.

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  Electrical nightmare - 1998 Volvo S70
  By enga - September 21 - 10:00 am

  I love the comfort of this car, and it feels really nice...very solid. However, this car has less than 70K on it and the alternator blew, ive had 3 shorts, the AC motor died, the windows have stopped working 2 times, etc etc. I love Volvos but this car is a lemon. Back to Japanese i go, and fast.

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  Never Again Buying Volvo - 2000 Volvo S80
  By longliveGM - September 21 - 10:00 am

  Bought a used 2000 S80 Turbo for a "safe, reliable, and comfortable" commuter vehicle. Well, its definitely comfortable, and safe from all accounts Ive read, but reliable? HA! Ive had this car 4 months and its been in the shop for SEVEN weeks total! Electrical problems with message center, faulty parts installed on a routine 60,000 mile service, and the transmission went out at 70,000 miles. Followed service manual to a T, and this is what I get for a $45,000 car? Im going back to Chevrolet.

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  Great cruiser - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Falstaff - September 21 - 10:00 am

  Ive been really pleased with my commute since getting my S60. Its quiet, has good highway passing power (better than it is off the line) and is both fun and comfortable. The mileage has been much better than expected. All in all, its a great buy. The A4 is much more cramped in back and the BMW 3 is muc more narrow in front. Its the roomiest ride in its class.

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  S40 Exceeds Expectations - 2003 Volvo S40
  By Eric T. - September 17 - 3:53 pm

  My S40 began life as a RENTAL CAR, and 30k miles later, I purchased it. Why this car? Initially because of its value, reputation, style, & service competency at the dealership. I havent had a single problem with my car. I commute 50 comfortable miles r/t daily, and get 30+mpg. Ive never struggled to merge into fast moving traffic. I keep it clean, change the oil myself, and monitor fluid levels and tire pressure/wear. Volvo has higher value over time, and is safer than most other cars on the road. When I want performance acceleration/handling/braking, Ill put on my helmet and leathers, and head for a track day on my superbike. My car is more than competent at what I expect from a car.

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  Always in the Shop! Stay Away - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By Volvo XC-90 - September 17 - 2:43 pm

  I was fooled into buying the XC-90 after the arrival of our first child. Truth is, this has been the worst car weve ever purchased. It drives, but constantly in the shop for several issues, including AC problems, allignment issues, electronics, mechanical, and at one point, they had to replace both front axles completely! Dont be fooled by the safety recommendations, all newer luxury SUVs have good overall safety ratings. Further, the car has horrible traction control in rainy conditions. If you do decide to purchase, please buy the AWD. I do not let my wife and child drive this car when it rains.

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  tiny pieces of plastic killed the car! - 1998 Volvo V70
  By beth55423 - September 16 - 3:25 pm

  Overall, we put 80,000 miles on a used 1998 Volvo, driving about 100 miles away. There was a lot that was good and reliable about the car. But, you know those tiny plastic clips that hold all the interior trim pieces together? In six months we seemed to lose at least one a week. Inside of the back hatch fell off....trim piece above the drivers knees.... the plastic covering the switch for the power windows.... Then the gasket around the door, and the rubber strips on the roof rack... UGH.