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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  Love our S70 - 1999 Volvo S70
  By danno123 - December 19 - 10:00 am

  My wife and 5yo daughter needed a reliable car. This pre-owned volvo was the perfect choice. A solid, peppy car (although it does have a few creaking sounds). We have had it for a year now and no problems at all.

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  I love this car! - 1999 Volvo S70
  By Wizkid - December 19 - 10:00 am

  It has the euro-feel that makes driving fun. It is so responsive. Downside: Too small for a family of 4.

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  Pretty decent car - 2008 Volvo XC70
  By luisja - December 15 - 5:06 am

  Ive owned this car for almost 3 months. It has some features that I love like, the PCC, BLIS and some other gadgets. The mileage is pretty bad, they really need to do something about it or bring the diesel model. Even you get better mileage with the BMW 5 series. The performance is just OK, at high RPM makes too much noise and the car reacts kind of slow when you press the gas, once you are cruising on the highway everything goes smooth and it handles pretty well.

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  Best value proposition - 2008 Volvo S80
  By Scott E - December 14 - 2:36 pm

  Needed AWD in New Hampshire mountains and the BMW, Benz, and Audi alternatives in this size class cannot touch the Volvo - and I am a huge fan of BMW. Purchased the car this summer during the $4/gallon gas era and got a fantastic deal that the other brands could not touch. Nice quiet ride with adequate power - not as well balanced as the BMW5 - drives a little front heavy in some cornering. Bottom line is that I would still purchase this car should I move out of the snow belt given the price point. Interior/exterior styling is excellent - dont see too many others on the road so it has a nice unique look relative to Audi, Volvo S60, 4matics, etc. which are everywhere.

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  Money Pit - 2001 Volvo S40
  By NoVolvoNoMore - December 11 - 7:50 pm

  Ever see that movie "The Money Pit"? Well oue S40 is the $$$ pit. I leased this for my wife in 2001. The 1st winter the Winter mode drive locked up. The car was in the shop 2 weeks. The repair writer called to tell me that 2 engineers were coming in from Canada to look at our tranny. Like thats supposed to make you feel better. They replaced the tranny and ever since weve had a slight turbo lag. The steering squeeks, the right dash speaker grill pops up (seen on all 2001s), the side mirror button is wonky, the Service light always comes on, the AC is possessed by the devil. Every scheduled maint or oil change costs over $300. Next time were buying a BMW.

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  Great value - 2017 Volvo S90
  By Llefty - December 9 - 5:18 pm

  I dont know why my rating is coming up as two stars. Id rate it four stars. Ive only have my S90 for a short time, but so far, its everything I wanted: all-wheel drive, fuel efficient, roomy, stylish, four heated seats, individual climate control, dynamic cruise control, LED steerable lights, handless trunk, good user interface. I have a 2015 Lexus GS 350 and the Volvo turned out to be a better value than a 2017 GS 350. Where I live, you cant find a Lexus with comparable equipment. And if you want a user interface that will drive you nuts, try Lexus. My only two complaints are that the stock stereo is a bit anemic and there are a few settings, like auto highbeams, that have to be turned on every time you get in the car. Also, the car is more of a cruiser than a sports sedan. However, that it is not to say that it isnt stable or sufficiently responsive. Unlike the previous reviewer, I havent had any problems navigating the Sensus tablet-like interface. Nor have I found Sensus to be slow to start. I also am able to have my iphone chord come out of the center console while keeping the console closed. I agree that it would be nice to have more usb ports rather than cigarette lighter outlets. I absolutely love the dynamic cruise control, which works like a charm. Ive put 10k miles on the car in six months and love it even more than when I got it.

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  Good Car, But Getting Expensive - 2002 Volvo S40
  By polzinbw - December 9 - 12:30 am

  I agree with all of the positives others have written: nice ride, looks good, feels solid, nice features/bells/whistles for the price. However, after owning it now for just shy of 5 years (87,000 miles, bought used with 14k) its starting to fall apart on me. Have replaced shocks/struts at 73,000 which seems early; put in a new power window motor around 75,000 ($600); the sunroof doesnt close quite all the way and leaks in a car wash sometimes; some small molding is coming apart around the trunk release; the alarm doesnt always turn on when I lock the car. Have done breaks twice now, too. And these repairs are expensive - this isnt a Honda or Toyota. Engine is supposed to be good though!

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  Volvo Survey - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By Jose Alberto rosa-Su - December 1 - 2:00 am

  Comfortable, dependable, Safe and most important good looking wagon!!

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  Great car. Exactly what I wanted - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By prospect - December 1 - 2:00 am

  Well designed and extremely safe. Just the right size for 64" frame, but not a standard SUV roadhog. Environmentally friendly

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  Love Car - Hate Repairs - 2005 Volvo V50
  By Mquinn97 - November 26 - 7:23 am

  Bought this car used, and love it, but the romance is wearing off given the number of problems Ive had. Six weeks after my initial purchase I had to have the tailgate completely rebuilt to get to a bad part (not charged, thankfully). since then Ive had some issues with the electrical in the radio and fan system. Now Ive been told that there is a grease leak in the front axle boot. Worst problem so far? Had to have it towed to Volvo last week when I was stranded by the electrical steering wheel locking mechanism. That was a $700 repair!! At this point Im seriously thinking of trying to sell it and lease something else.