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 - 2004 Volvo S80
  By shelbis1 - July 21 - 2:00 am

  I always wanted Volvo due to the fact it is the safest car on the road. When I finally test drove it I was shocked at what a pleasure it was to drive as well. I would recommend this car to anyone.

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  Home Run for Volvo - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By AJAK - July 21 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this XC90 for my wife for its many safety features. Especially the Rollover/Stability control protection. We have been impressed with its build quality and good looks.

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  xc 90 - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By tetonvet - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Great car. Fun to drive. Great lines.

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  VOLVO Rocks - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By si900 - July 21 - 2:00 am

  First Ice storm in Colorado many vehicles slipping out of control including many other SUVs including vehicles listed in your report. Only two vehicles were able to ascend a hill both were VOLVOs XC 90 and XC 70. The Audi all wheel drive looked like it was on ice skates.

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  XC90 5 cylinder AWD - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By steveoh - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Solid, dependable and enjoyable to drive. The vehicle corners extremely well. The anti-roll feature see to that. I find the 5-cylinder turbo charged engine delivers all the power I need. The "car" is also very comfortable on long trips. Gas mileage: although rated at 24 highway and 18 city. I tend to get 21 on the highway and 15 around town.

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  Great Safety and Interior!! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Bob Savanh - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Got the vehicle in 08/2003, now has 6,500 miles. Tested the MDX, and Pilot before deciding on the XC90. I average 20.4 mpg combined city and highway. Today, I drove 130 miles with the cruise set @ 62.5mph and averaged 25.7 MPG for leg bumped to 70- 80MPH the rest of the 320 mile trip and averaged 24.5 mpg for entire leg (all highway). I wouldve opted for the AWD model if available because the torque is too much for FWD under hard acceleration.

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  its a "10" - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By mbatenic - July 21 - 2:00 am

  This is my 5th car and 4th SUV. By far the best one yet! It handles great in any weather, sand, or snow. Gas mileage is great even for city driving. The smaller turbo charged engine is suprisingly powerful, and has a very smooth ride. When test driving, the V5 engine was more smooth riding than the 6. A very good and wise choice!

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  A Car Freaks Truck - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Bruce Aufhammer - July 21 - 2:00 am

  I love this car/truck. Having owned far too many vehicles during my 40-plus years of driving, it amazes me to say this is my favorite. It handles superbly, accelerates from most speeds like a sports car (once you learn to push your foot through the fire wall to take full advantage of the turbo and transmission), and its ride is supple like a well-toned gymnast---muscular and lithe. Its load space and seating are very flexible; the stereo blows everyone who hears it away; the seats are comfortable for many hours; and its drop-dead handsome to most---always evoking a what IS that?

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  Thanks for giving the Customer the best - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By BillyBoyXC90 - July 21 - 2:00 am

  It is one of the few SUV that has three row seating. I disagree that it takes up to much of the second row, in fact you can move the second row seats up to give the third row more leg room which is only needed if you seat an adult in the third row. Another great feature is that unlike the Mercedes or BMW there is actually room behind the third row for bagagge, Bottomline is that the seating arangement is very versitile and better than any of the other SUVs we test drove (tested 9 different makes). This car has not only met our expectations but, exceeded it. You would be hard pressed to find a better all around SUV for a family.

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  I love this SUV..Nothing compares - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By bosco325 - July 21 - 2:00 am

  I am so happy with my new XC90. It rides like a big luxury car in a mid- size SUV body. I had a minivan with NO cargo space...I still cant believe what I can fit into my XC90. As far as comfort..I definately give it a 10. You can control everything with the touch of a button. I recommend this vehicle..100%