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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  Owned since Nov. of 2003 - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By L Maraschin - June 2 - 3:53 am

  This is our first Volvo... we are very happy ! This has been one the best car makers that we have dealt with. We attended two different "pre-sale" Volvo events and the Volvo Owners half-day drive event at Laguna Seca racetrack in CA. This car is so much fun to drive and the safety features are great. I have read here that some have had problems with the "turbo lag"... I took ours in to the dealer and they re- programed something and it is much better now, more peppy. However, that has made the gas mileage go south a bit... I guess you cant have it all ??? It is still better than our old Suburban was. We would like to check out the V8 engine and maybe trade up at a later date.

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  great car - 1996 Volvo 850
  By brombonz - June 2 - 2:00 am

  I was involved in a serious accident in this car. I attribute survivorship to the excellent safety of the GLT volvo sedan. While other cars involved in the accident (mercedes, infiniti, lexus) were literally demolished, mine performed very well and maintained the safety of the passenger cabin. I have owned about a dozen volvos and will never drive another car. The 850 GLT is my favorite because I think the design is unique and attractive, and the car is a lot of fun to drive.

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  Our third XC90, but not our favorite - 2013 Volvo XC90
  By jns1014 - June 1 - 5:27 pm

  New is a steering-wheel activated bluetooth which replaces Volvos after-market dashboard control, but why on earth did they eliminate the voice-activated system? Now we can only dial calls from our phone book, and need to take our eyes off the road to do so? Very backward thinking for such a safe car. Also, the rear park assist warning is barely audible now, with only the rear speakers quietly beeping. Forget about hearing it with the AC fan on and radio! The back-up camera is a nice additional feature, though. And, the navigation system no longer allow "stored" locations.

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  A Solid Performer - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By Virginia George - May 31 - 6:03 pm

  I bought our 2004 XC70 as a used car with 10,000 miles on the odometer. Over three years of daily driving it, Ive become a fan. The car is surprisingly peppy and agile for a station wagon. It maneuvers easily in high-speed rush hour traffic on D.C.s Beltway. Its an excellent long- distance cruiser. Front seats are exceptionally comfortable for a long- legged driver like me. Auto AC works great, year-round. Overall, the car has been very solid and reliable. However, Ive replaced more front headlight bulbs on this car than in my prior five cars combined. Only significant defects -- radio controls, lack of foot space in rear seat, lack of storage in passenger compartment.

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  Not as much VOLVO quality - 2002 Volvo S40
  By eragchaa - May 30 - 6:50 pm

  Purchased 02 S40 with 60K miles on it, for my wife. This is great looking car, with turbocharger. Great acceleration, power for 1.9T engine. At 70K we had to replace TurboCharger, I did the job myself, bought the Turbo from eBay used one for 240$,saved about $900.At Volvo it would cost about 800$ for the part and $400 for installation.Then check engine light came up,had to replace thermostat,another check engine light had to replace ignition coil,spark plugs,at 80K had another check engine light,have to check it again. Tran fluid change is the ripoff at the dealer, for special VOLVO fluid $18per1/4. MPG is less then 01Camry. Overall not much for high end luxury car.Going for LEXUS next time

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  not up to par - 2001 Volvo C70
  By ttkober - May 30 - 6:23 pm

  This car was not meant to be driven on a regular basis. Every interior piece made of plastic thats almost the whole interior has fallen off or craked off since purchased. including drivers mirrors. shade visors dashboard lower panels , door moldings . In addition the transmission has has to be adjusted on a regular basis. the wheels are in constant need of refubishing to to being to thin to deal with winter pot holes in NY , finally threw them away and got sturdire stell wheels and hub caps not pretty but saves on blown tires. about 8 in three years at 65 per tire . I may keep the car as a subday toy for the kids but will probably go back to the Cadillac that I previosly had. Oh the AC CD pl

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  Low Reliability, High Maintenance! - 2004 Volvo V40
  By rgmurphy - May 30 - 10:00 am

  Second set of brakes being replaced after only 89000 KMS (55000 miles). Rear brake pads and discs failed after 24000 miles, replacement of pads and discs= brake job. Now front brakes, pads and discs have failed with rear breaks @ 40%. Typical service is no maintenance but diagonistics with simple oil change costing minimum of $200 and full service around $400. Break jobs are $1000 (CDN) Brakes are not warranteed items and no wonder why. New brake pads and disc on back order in Ottawa and require special delivery and no wonder why. Volvo for life sentence or 15000 miles which ever is less. Never again Volvo. Switching to Toyota, Mazda, Honda, Nissan.

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  Great Car with bad design flaw - 2017 Volvo XC90
  By Bill - May 29 - 9:38 am

  The XC-90 8T has a serious design problem. If the car sits long enough ( usually 7 to 8 days) the car goes into a sleep mode to protect the batteries. The result is the car is dead with no power available. The car must be entered using the manual key and the only way to start the car is to get a jump start. I am an international commercial pilot and go on long trips all the time. When I return I must get my airlines maintenance to give me a jump to start. Needless to say I am the joke of the airline and having to to this at 4am during blizzards in Chicago is a nightmare. I have a 1995 snow plow I can start after sitting 6 months but a new 84,000 Volvo XC-90 cannot sit 2 weeks how sad.The dealer has been great but Volvo has not provided any hopes for a fix. I am pursuing the Lemon laws for my state

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  my xc70 2005 - 2005 Volvo XC70
  By peterd - May 28 - 7:30 am

  My first v70 was a 2001, the new model year for this generation. beautiful comfortable auto but electrical problems. Replaced bulbs every other month. HAd to replace right front strut (warranty) at 35K. It is true what they say about buying the first model year generation. Avoid if possible. Purchased a new 2005 xc 70 same color. Love it! It has been all tweaked out. Seems to have all glitches worked out over the past four years. No problems with it. All wheel is the way to go. Sound steady ride and taunt feel.

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  So far, so good - 2006 Volvo V70
  By V70inSacramento - May 27 - 6:40 am

  I finally decided to splurge and buy a midlife crisis car after 12 yrs with a Civic. Much to everyones surprise I purchased a used Volvo V70 2.5T; everyone thought Id buy an Outback. So far, Im very happy with the car: comfortable, quick, good handling, hauls lots of stuff, great AC and heated seats. I wish the gas mileage were a bit higher, but waiting to take a longer trip to see what happens. The car also has a very large turning radius but its due to the 17" tires. I think I got a good deal by going out of State (to Texas) - I saved about $10K off MSRP by buying one with 6K miles, plus it had the extended 6yr/100K warranty. Im hoping for many years of driving satifaction!