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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  Volvo tried and true - 1997 Volvo 960
  By Eric - September 2 - 4:40 pm

  I am a new Volvo owner as of this year and would buy another one for sure! This car amazes me every day because it is so reliable. Smooth power, nice comfort and awesome lighting! I will say that brakes are an issue but who can complain with the crap out on the market today. Oh, and real crap cupholders!

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  Just a great car!! - 2003 Volvo S40
  By cyclegirl - September 2 - 2:00 am

  I love my car. I might mention that I do have all the options on my car. I have had very little problem with the car. The headlights have gone out, and I had the rear brakes replaced. The ride is very smooth and there is more than enough power when passing or entering a freeway. I have had my car 3 years, and after 34,000 miles, its just been very reliable. Oh, mileage on the highway seems to be very good.

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  Cold Weather Survival Tool - 2001 Volvo S60
  By jpearsall - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Performace is all I need, handling is not quite a BMW, but this I will trade for front wheel drive. Why? The same reason I love the climate control, heated leaterh seats and great defrosters. Intuition told me if you want a cold weaterh car, buy one designed in Sweeden. My intuition did not fail me. If you live in a clod climate, you cannot go wrong with a Volvo. The only thing I dont like about driving it in Minnesota is I cant stand to see it dirty!

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  Absolutely Best Car Ever Owned - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Jamey1 - August 28 - 10:00 am

  Anyone considering the BMW 3 series, a Mercedes C or E class or the Acura brand should do themselves a favor and test drive the Volvo S60 AWD. It truly is a safe and very comfortable car that will not disappoint. And, the famous Volvo seats are better than any car seat Ive experienced.

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  Hello Beautiful - 2004 Volvo S40
  By swordsman - August 28 - 10:00 am

  I have only had the car for 2 days,but so far everything is excellent. Paint,trim,fit&finish is great. After 150 miles the motor seems to be loosening up nicely and is so smooth and quiet. Acceleration is smooth and strong. Rainy weather for most of the miles and I have never felt this secure driving a new car in such weather.Transmission is sooo smoooth. Nice stereo and inventive design.Really unique! A safe and aggressive car all rolled into one.

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  Great car, great price - 2006 Volvo S40
  By Nepats555 - August 28 - 7:30 am

  Handles awesome! good aceleration, great looking interior and exterior. Drove the Infiniti g35 and Audi A4 both great cars although $$$ more for the same car, save your money this car rocks!

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  I love this car! - 2006 Volvo S40
  By Justin - August 28 - 4:33 am

  I ditched my dying 97 Dodge Avenger for the S40 T5 and havent looked back. The T5 is definitely the way to go. My partner has a 06 3-series and I wouldnt trade with him for a second. Styling, build quality and performance are top notch. Only negative comment I have is the city MPG isnt that great. Even then, I wouldnt hesitate recommending this car to anybody.

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  Solid, Smooth and very powerful - 2012 Volvo XC70
  By rnarendmd - August 24 - 6:59 am

  This is my second xc70 after trading up from a 2006 model. The new T6 model is so much better than the previous model. The engine is terrific and the comfort and ride quality are much improved. Gas mileage is about the same as the old turbo 5 cyl. (avg. 19.6 so far on reg. fuel; but car only has 500 miles on it and is not broken in yet). The premium stereo is terrific and the streaming bluetooth works great. The overall feeling of the car is very refined and is a great car for someone with young kids. Cargo space is obviously excellent as well. Very happy with my new car and looking forward to the first road trip!

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  Ken - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Ken - August 24 - 12:34 am

  Love this vehicle!

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  nice to the eyes - 2002 Volvo S80
  By nice car - August 23 - 4:30 am

  When the Volvo s80 first hit the market in 1999 I took a liking to it. I now own one and love it but I really dont like the fact that they wont do recalls for the front struts because I went to get mine checked and they were not very surprised that my struts were rattling and going out, they said it has been very common with Volvo, a very irritating noise and it make the car sound really junky, but other than that its a very nice car if you can deal with a rattling front end.