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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  HAVE OWNED MANY VOLVOS - 10 since 1971 - 2000 Volvo S80
  By RFG - March 27 - 10:00 am

  Good driving car on the long trips- reasonable gas milege 23+ mph( but 93 Octane). Big trouble with the right wheel assembly falling off in the driveway after a bad dealer required suspension fix! Only weakness has been the suspension noise and troubles. Not sure it was worth the $667/mo. lease rate.

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  I Love the 05 XC 70 - 2005 Volvo XC70
  By gesteiger - March 27 - 12:43 am

  The 2005 Volvo XC 70 handles well, and is comfortable to drive. I love the heated seats and dual climate control. I also like all of the great safety features, including the all- wheel drive. I will probably purchase another Volvo in about 15 years.

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  Love my wagon - 2000 Volvo V40
  By carrie - March 25 - 7:06 am

  I hit a soft shoulder in this wagon going 70 mph and it stuck to the ground like rock. I feel very safe in this car and it is extremely comfortable for the driver and front passenger. Three kids in the back complain!! The driver cup holder is awkwardly above the CD player or below the middle arm rest. The booster seats are nice, but when kids fall asleep there is no support for their heads. I had to replace the rear wiper multiple times (6-7), but I will be sad to part with this car. The leather held up nicely, but I did also have a problem with the lights on the control panel which was >$650 to fix when I thought a fuse change would do it.

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  Great Car - Great Value - 2015 Volvo S60
  By mitsu_david - March 20 - 6:47 pm

  I was going to lease a 14 at model year end, but they made me the same deal on a 15 with better equipment. I REALLY like this car. The interior is very refined and comfortable. I dont always fit well in cars with sunroofs but I have plenty of head room. Performance is excellent, mileage good, lease terms were fantastic including full maintenance and warranty. Stereo system is nice and road noise manageable. My only quibble is with the styling which isnt bad, but a little too reminiscent of a Ford Fusion. All round very happy. I compared to Cadillac ATS, Lincoln MKZ, BMW 325i It was the most affordable and really didnt require any compromises (MKZ had a little more space)

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  TEST DRIVING THE VOLVO XC90 T6 - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By C_C - March 20 - 2:00 am

  I have had the pleasure to have as a loaner a VOLVO XC90 T6 to drive over a weekend. By joining the SUV market late, Volvo has taken advantage of features and experiences of its competitors and improved upon them. Safety and dependability is the foremost concern at Volvo. I found the car fun to drive handling well in the city as well as on the highway. Steering is light and accurate. The ride is smoother than I expected. The car comes with standard features seen in only a few, if any, of its competitors. The 6 cylinder engine is a must without which the car would be sluggish.

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  A Truly Great Car - 2006 Volvo S60
  By Morris - March 19 - 5:23 pm

  I bought car new in June of 07. I am in the insurance business and us the car for work and pleasure. It gets great gas mileage as I get 31 MPG consistently at 70 MPH and combined city and highway mileage is 23 mph. It is the smoothest riding car I have owned, and that includes two Audis. All my friends love the ride and my wife drives it every chance she gets. We were so impressed with it we bought the Volvo SUV for our family car. I bought this car to last me a long time and it appears it will do so with style and economy.

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  1972ChevelleMalibu checking in new pass - 2003 Volvo C70
  By TopDown - March 19 - 7:16 am

  20,500 miles. Not driving as much as I should! Everything on the car is in excellent condition. The only weird thing that happens is sometimes the windshield wipers stop without being all the way down while cleaning. Top is showing some mild discoloration on the flex spots, but I also use the top as much as possible (any day over 60 degrees) in New England. Car is superb on the highway. Cruises at any speed with control. Highly recommended as a used car (providing no accidents, etc). You get a huge discount off of new, yet car is 90% the same if well taken care of. Would buy again.

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  The Best Yet - 2007 Volvo S80
  By NY Driver - March 18 - 11:36 pm

  This may be the ultimate Volvo. I now have 3000 miles on it and like it even more than when I bought it. I most seriously considered the Infiniti M35 as I wanted to try something other than a Volvo (I have owned 5). However, safety concerns, gas mileage, and the way features are packaged individually led me back to the Volvo. A test drive of both cars sealed the deal. The Volvo seems to have a better feel for the road. It is smooth, yet extremely responsive both in handling and acceleration. It is the best Volvo yet and may have already sold me on Volvo the next time as well.

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  Better than my BMW - 2006 Volvo S60
  By JP - March 18 - 2:50 pm

  This car is truly underrated. I traded in a BMW 330i equipped with both sport and premium packages. The S60 is not as quick off the line, nor does it handle as sharply as the 330i, but excels in every other way. More comfortable, quieter interior, better sound system, more efficient climate control and from my experience, a far better build quality. My back seat passengers are also happier with the room and comfort, along with the rear A/C vents. Driving long distance is effortless as you ride in complete comfort, cruising with the fastest traffic and getting 30 MPG. One thing this car does not do is draw unwanted attention. The S60 T5 may be the worlds most perfect "stealth" vehicle.

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  Very comfortable when it working - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Stephen - March 15 - 3:53 pm

  It a money pit......love the car and drives very comfortable but I keep going to the car shop every month or so and breaking the bank......I hope this the last time until for a while