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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  DW - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Dennis Windmuller - August 20 - 1:13 pm

  Very impressive for a SUV - sturdy, good power, nice drive. Quality interior & overall design - unmatched safety.

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  2-Month Review - 2005 Volvo XC70
  By R. Chester - August 19 - 10:43 am

  Have had my XC70 for about 2 months now. Gas mileage is better than our 2001 2WD Suburban, but at about 14MPG in town, its less than I expected. (Did read another review saying it should improve after 5k miles). Quick & very fun to drive; handles great; smooth transmission. Front seats are VERY comfortable. Back has almost no legroom. Im 64" and my 4-yr old son cannot sit behind me b/c theres NO legroom. Has great features like auto- up and down front windows; same with sunroof; cargo tray in rear; rain sensing wipers; Geartronic; trip computer; well laid out controls. Aluminum passenger grab bar gets HOT in sun. Not a good place for coins. My wife is coveting the car.

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  great family car - 1998 Volvo V70
  By td90 - August 19 - 2:00 am

  We bought the v70 GLT used several months ago with 55k miles, and are very pleased with the car. Very solid construction, no rattles or squeeks. Good acceleration, crisp handling, and great brakes. With routine maintenance, should be good for 200K+ miles, just like the 740 we had.

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  Great cruiser - 2002 Volvo S80
  By gunner12 - August 17 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car just off lease (2 yr) and the service records show a few small defects (cooling fan and brake pedal position sensor)initially repaired under warranty. The car has been flawless and a very satisfying daily driver. Excellent engine smoothness, power, and fuel economy (24.6 mpg mostly city). Extremely solid and quiet body structure. Excellent sound system--one of the best Ive ever experienced. We shall see how well it does in snow soon! No negatives at all so far (4 months).

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  no reason to panic - 2007 Volvo S60
  By S60R - August 16 - 7:56 am

  Ive had my R for about 6 months and couldnt be happier. I was a little nervous after reading some of the edmunds reviews, but can honestly say I have been thrilled thusfar. I got mine with the sport package. I, like many was looking at the IS350 and the GS. This is a hoot to drive, not as throaty and braggadosia as the Infinit, and feels bigger inside (at least the front seat) than the lex.

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  Impressively quick - 1996 Volvo 850
  By DIC_CAMARILLO - August 15 - 5:16 am

  Our Volvo 850R wagon was suppose to be a Home Depot weekend hauler and occasional camping car. Then I discovered the economy/power button! Wow! This car really moves. The economy mode allows the transmission to shift at lower rpms and less boost. The power mode lets this wonderful little engine roar! Turbo boost up, rpms up - right in the power band! If the numbers are correct, this car will beat my Boxster. After feeling the boost, I believe it will walk away from my Boxster up to 80mph. The seats are also very comfortable, the car has nice features and it sure is fun to drive. The suspension is okay at best. Overall a very impressive little box.

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  Great Handing - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By jsandek1 - August 10 - 8:50 pm

  Prior experience is 2004 XC70 which still have but the XC60 is so much better. Options are navi-audio/cold weather package/metallic paint. Would have liked homelink but not willing to pay for the unnecessary items in convenience package. Getting ~20 mpg with mix of driving (first 500 miles). Car is great in high speed sweepers-very stable. Quiet on highway. Baltic Blue/Black. Surprised how zippy considering its 2 tons

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  Volvo S70 - 2000 Volvo S70
  By Larry - August 10 - 12:13 am

  Great car except for the major problem that Ford inherited with the emission systems Electronic Throttle Assembly. Fortunately, Class Action lawsuit allows owners to have it fixed for free up to 200,000 miles saving you $1,000. Kudos to Ford/Volvo for doing the right thing! Handles well and is great for long drives. Front end rides rough over bumps but maybe because Im used to SUV tires.

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  awesome car! - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Rose A. Abreu - August 9 - 3:20 am

  This is my second s60 and I love it more than the previous one. It has excellent acceleration and handles very well. It is very steady on the road. I had an incident where I am convinced that the stability control and the way the car respond to sudden changes, saved me from an accident. Overall an excellent car.

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  Correction of husbands review - 2009 Volvo V50
  By sally34 - August 4 - 11:32 am

  I have just become aware that on 4-14-10, "Tom" offered a review of our 2009 Volvo V50 T5 Awd R design 4dr wagon. We have previously owned 5 Volvo wagons since l971, each of which was "my" car,and our adult children have had six Volvos. Toms criticism of my V50 was a little harsh, and unfair to compare it to our larger, more substantial wagons, the last of which was traded in on the V50 simply to reduce the turning circle from 43+ to 35+. The keyless entry has caused hassle and extra expense. Volvo recently changed the cap for drivers door..... lets hope it works!!