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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  s80-t6 review - 1999 Volvo S80
  By yousef - April 29 - 10:00 am

  the best, most diltitful Volvo i owned, its fast and comfotable, it makes you feel wery well preserved from outside elements in this car. The suspention and steering has alot of room for inprovments.

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  Great Car - 2003 Volvo S60
  By Kirrannus - April 24 - 4:53 am

  Excellent touring car with good power. Drives well in winter with the DSTC. Steering column controls are easily accessed.

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  Most mileage is to the dealer - 2007 Volvo C70
  By momsfirst - April 23 - 2:26 pm

  Love to drive my C70, unfortunately, the majority of it seems to be the 50 miles one way to the dealer for the Check Engine light repair. Six times in 7 weeks, less than 5,000 miles on the car. Have a 16 hour road trip in two weeks, wish I had a right arm rest. The center console is positioned for a height of about 6, not my 56"

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  I have a bad feeling... - 1999 Volvo S80
  By lynnetta - April 23 - 10:16 am

  I have had this car for a year now and have been satisfied but recently small problems have been arising and I have a bad feeling about it. There is a warning about the emission system that is quite alarming and though the car was advertised as a gas saver Im averaging about 21 mpg. I love the car but am thinking about getting rid of it because for the price I dont feel it is going to hold up like it should.

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  Take it or leave it - 2009 Volvo XC90
  By sgring - April 20 - 4:20 am

  Nice vehicle- not great- 3rd row not really meant for adults- not a ton of luggage space either. A bit sluggish when accelerating. It has a heavy feel to it when you drive it. Could also use some more power steering help. Difficult to turn the wheel at times. My wife loves the fact that it drives like a tank. She feels very safe in it.

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  DECK ERROR - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Darrell - April 17 - 4:13 am

  The cd player should be recalled but it would cost Volvo too much to repair them all. For me - $720, not counting labor. I can get one from Best Buy for half that installed. Very disappointing - I thought Volvo would stand by their product but, instead, they hand you a bill. Im going to try Audi or Mercedes when I purchase my next car.

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  Dream Car was a LEMON! - 2001 Volvo C70
  By pmm - April 16 - 2:43 pm

  This was my dream car (not). I had it 19 mo. thats all I could take. In the shop 15xs all minor but come on. I had all the issues prev. stated plus a cracked dash that I was told is common in a Volvo (should have been told before I bought) would cost $2300 to fix. The constant rattle noise was so unnerving that I could not relax & drive. Also my SRS light came on 4x in the shop for each till they replaced the air bag.It was a huge sacrifice to buy this so called dream car that leaked from the window seals so bad that my carpet had to be pulled out and the pad replaced. two weeks before I got rid of it I had an oil leak and thermostat go out. I babied this car there is no excuse for such a rip-off

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  Attractive and fun to drive - 2012 Volvo XC60
  By heathholley - April 16 - 10:39 am

  Going from a hybrid sedan to a crossover was an interesting change but Ive grown to enjoy my XC60. The vehicle feels very solid, safe, and with a stance like a tiger, grips the road with amazing tenacity!

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  Great SUV, Small Tank - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By LisaScooter - April 12 - 2:00 am

  This is a very nice SUV, the V6 has lots of zip and is extremely comfortable. Very nicely designed with a lot of clever touches, like headphone jacks in the back seat.

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  Good But Could be Great - 2003 Volvo S60
  By Glenn S - April 12 - 2:00 am

  The AWD S60 does deliver in looks, comfort and bad weather handling. Probably the best Ive ever had in snow. Extremely comfortable and great amenities. Safety should be great. The car is reasonably fast and can corner extremely well. The Achilles heel is a strange suspension that wiggles and jiggles you to the point of distraction. Most small road variations get translated into movement within the car - sharp, annoying and fatiguing. Ultimately I am less confident at speed than in say the Audi A-4, which felt much more solid.