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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  Its the real deal!!! - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Frankster - November 1 - 10:00 am

  This car is everything it was billed to be, quick & agile with a big car feel (when you want it) and a sports car feel when you want it...

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  A solid car - 1998 Volvo S70
  By tmcdaniels - November 1 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car with over 151000 miles on it . It still runs like a top and does not miss a beat. The car is very comfy, great leather and seats. Super sterio. Solidly built, fun to drive.

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  my volvo - 2001 Volvo V70
  By dark1 - November 1 - 10:00 am

  I am happy with my V70 T5. Only a few minor problems. Drives great. Has a sporty suspension feel.

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  Volvo S60 Rocks! - 2003 Volvo S60
  By backno37 - November 1 - 10:00 am

  This is the best in class...hands down!

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  2 Summers of Fun - 2004 Volvo C70
  By jipsu1988 - October 31 - 10:36 am

  2nd review, sold the car after 2 great summers. Great ownership experience with no mechanical problems at all. Always looked great/unique, the 2 kids had lots of room in back. Smooth Georgia roads with turns brought out the best of this car. Interior comfort and quality were great (unlike some others experience). Not a firm, sporty drive (like BMW and Audi A4) but a fine GT cruiser. Avg 23 mpg in mixed driving, 28 on highway. Extended warranty if youre buying used may be required w/reference to others mech problems. I would stay away if you live in a city with rough roads. If you can find one used at low-mid 20s it should still be worth 15K in 3 more years. Good fun for not much coin!

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  Great car, No key entry to rear hatch - 2006 Volvo XC70
  By Bernie - October 30 - 2:33 am

  I own the car for 6 weeks now, and love it, except for the fact that if for some reason you cant open the rear hatch with the remote, or from the lock control inside the car, theres no key entry place to be able to gain access to the rear. This is super important to me because Im disabled, and my scooter is in the rear compartment. If I cant open the hatch for some reason, Im really going to be stuck because I wont be able to remove my Scooter. I wonder where their heads were in designing a wagon, where theres no way to gain access if the remote or the carlock dont work for whatever reason!

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  Well designed family wagon - 2007 Volvo V70
  By Michael - October 29 - 10:23 am

  V2.4L provides enough power for daily use. Ride is quiet and steering provides excellent handling. Excellent suspension. Good combination of engine and automatic transmission. Integrated child booster seat may not be comfortable for long distances since legs touch the edge of the seat. Leather interior will require a protective sheet for the baby seat.

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  Awesome Sport Wagon - 2006 Volvo V50
  By Eric - October 29 - 5:20 am

  After a trip to the vet with the dog, cat and kid in my Mustang, I realized that I needed a sport wagon. Looked at fully loaded versions of the V50, BMW 3 Wagon, Audi A3. The V50 won out based on both HP and Torque as well as price. The ride/handling, build quality and gas mileage are all great. Navigation system, controlled by steering wheel controls is awesome.

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  S60R 2004 6sp - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Pete Fox - October 28 - 10:00 pm

  I purchased this vehicle used as a CPO from Volvo. This is an amazing vehicle. Awesome power, all wheel drive, the most comfortable seats, impressive sound system, eye catching and safe,hey its a Volvo right.

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  Volvos S80 T6 is a Good Pick! - 1999 Volvo S80
  By SteveCase - October 27 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I just love this car. We bought it new shortly afte they were released. We are very happy with this car. We had two initial problems after we bought the car but the dealer was great. They did some sort of computer software download on the car (no charge) and we had no problems since then. I think it upgrades the cars programming. We are about to hit 70,000 miles and it still runs like it did when we drove it off the lot. No squeeks or rattles at all. Its really a remarkable car. Weve owned two Jaguars and a Mercedes. This car is without a doubt better than anything weve ever owned before. We highly recommend this car to anyone!