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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  Excellent Vehicle - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By V4Life - September 22 - 9:16 pm

  In the past 10 years I owned 4 SUVs including this. I had LexusRx330,Acura MDX and Mitsubishi Montero Sport. I feel VOLVO XC90 is a great SUV. VOLVO has great product than Lexus. I love the DVD, Booster seat,Premium Sound system and excellent interior. Mine is 7 seater SUV. I am getting on average 16.4MPG in the city and 24.6MPG in the highy way. Very stylish and fun to drive. I feel like driving a Sedan. EXCELLENT SUV, go for it.

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  GET THE TURBO! - 2010 Volvo XC70
  By Kenneth Elkington - September 20 - 2:13 pm

  I have owned MANY different autos... including Mercedes and a couple o Porsches... but overall, this one really hits a lot of buttons: practicality, safety, styling, comfort, features and yes... performance! Volvo is offering a super incentive with SAFE and SECURE: 5 worry-free years of warranty, scheduled maintenance, roadside assistance and even "wear and tear"... plus either 0% x 72mos or $5k discount (I took the $5k). This is a very well executed design both visually as well as "fit and finish".

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  spend the money get the t5 - 2002 Volvo S60
  By les pierce - September 20 - 10:00 am

  great car, but a little slow on the pick up get the t5

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  1000 Miles of Smiling - 2006 Volvo S60
  By MM - September 20 - 12:23 am

  A wonderful vehicle. The car has a smooth transmission with lots of power out of the gates. Very comfortable interior with a seat that even provides upper back support. A better bargain than a BMW or Audi; the interior displays/controls are more visible and reachable, and are as intuitive in an Acura - in my opinion. Good visibility all around. Really like the safety features - esp the whip lash protection system. (Though I would not recommend the wood steering wheel option - no grip on the wheel during a test drive.)

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  One of the best cars I have ever had - 2003 Volvo S60
  By L.A. Philip - September 10 - 2:30 pm

  Of all the cars I have ever owned this is one of my favorites. This is a solid built very comfortable car. I would suggest the power seat package. The interior can look kind of drab, I have the extra wood kit and it makes a 100% difference in the look of the dash and interior I typically only keep a car 3 to 4 years I have had this one going on 6 years and still enjoy driving it. The car is great in bad weather, you hit the “W” mode and the car grips the road in heavy rain. The rear fog light gets people to back off tailgating in the heavy fog. On the freeway for road trips I get about 30 MPG, in town I average about 19 MPG. The 60/40 split folding back seat is nice to have.

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  Little red beauty - 1998 Volvo S70
  By hampton3133 - September 10 - 2:19 am

  Just bought this beautiful red S70 Sedan, pristine exterior, drives with a nice low growly hum, 142K miles, black leather seats. Im hoping my first Volvo will get last me until my daughter makes it through college. The dealership was amazing. I also purchased a 100Kmile or 5 year powertrain warranty. Amazed the car comes with free roadside assistance. So we will see....

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  I love my VOLVO! - 2002 Volvo V70
  By KxVx - September 9 - 1:36 am

  I purchased my Volvo because I was familiar with the reliably of the brand, as my first car was a 240 DL. Ive been very happy with it, and it gets great gas mileage for a car with such get-up-and-go.

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  S60R is a great car - 2004 Volvo S60
  By rqc - September 8 - 10:00 am

  The S60R combines sport, luxury, and practicality in a way no competing vehicle does. It is fast, handles magnificently, the Brembo brakes are amazing and yet it has a big trunk and a 60/40 folding rear seat. The seats are the most comfortable Ive ever sat in. I have the Automatic, not the Manual transmission.

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  My First Volvo - 2004 Volvo C70
  By Dan Tetirick - September 8 - 10:00 am

  Having last purchased a new vehicle in 1993, I made a decision earlier in the year it was time to re-enter the new car market. After a month of vehicle research, test drives, etc., I had narrowed my choice down to either a Toyota 4Runner or a Volvo XC90 but when it came to signing on the dotted line I just could not suppress the attraction I had developed for the C70. It am so delighted I purchased this vehicle and I have absolutely no buyers remorse in doing so. The C70 drives like a dream, hugs the asphalt, and has plenty of pep. (My vehicle has the larger turbo engine.)

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  They dont make em like this anymore! - 2000 Volvo S70
  By Anonymous - September 6 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my 2000 Volvo S70 GLT SE Turbo for 8 years (bought it used at auction) and its going strong. It has 105K miles and no sign of slowing down. As this car ages, little things need fixing. But the overall build and reliability are fantastic. I stick to the suggested maintenance schedule and am told I can get 250K miles out of it. I love the turbos torque as much as the top end smoothness. Ive never owned a car this long and its because I simply dont get bored driving it. Its not much to look at, but when youre sitting on the inside who cares. Bottom Line: FUN to drive and it never breaks down. Wish the S80 were a suitable alternative for when I finally trade it in.