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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  Sweet Ride - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By RJ - June 22 - 4:20 am

  Ive had my XC-60, 3.2, premium/climate for 2 months, it is awesome. Sporty yet super comfortbale interior and an overall quality product.

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  Best Car Ive Ever Owned - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By Richardrogo - June 20 - 10:00 am

  My prior car was a 1999 S80 on which everything broke, so I was hesitant to buy it, persuaded only by my test drive, its sleek appearance, all-wheel drive and of course the discount in February. Nearly 6,000 miles on this car and its the best car Ive every owned. Solid, comfortable ride, Volvo safety, damn good looking in black, and that advanced all wheel drive to keep me from getting stuck in the snow again. Whats more, this five cylinder 208 HP low pressure turbo wants to kick ass and I have to restrain myself at traffic lights. For me, this car offers more value and better looks than the SUV (sorry Volvo, this is the one you ought to promote)!!

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  Love the Car - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By golfmom - June 20 - 10:00 am

  This car drives like a dream. Its handling is excellent. The seats are very comfortable. It does seat 6 adults but it is difficult to get out of the last set of seats.

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  Daughters Volvo - 2007 Volvo S60
  By John - June 19 - 7:33 pm

  My daughter was in a serious accident in my 2003 S-60. She was hit from behind by a truck while at a red light. The car was totaled she was fine. I leased a 2007 the next day and found it better than the 03, The turbo is very peppy the handling on the awd is excellent and the dtsc is great in wet weather. I would highly recommend this car. Fuel mileage is also very good on regular gas.

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  98 Volvo - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Tim - June 19 - 5:30 pm

  This is my first hands on experience with V70 XC. I have heard and read a lot about its safety, comfort and reliability, but once you drive one, its a different experience. It is not as speedy and powerful as a mustang or as luxury as Lexus, but safe enough for those long trips or unexpected weather changes. Very easy to handle and safe with cornering. Its heavy enough to notice a smooth ride with out that road noise you would hear in most of the cars. I think I will keep this one for a while or trade it in for a newer one.

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  Great Car! - 2007 Volvo S80
  By twindy - June 16 - 5:00 pm

  This is my second S80. This car is very quiet, handles great, super turning radius, fun to drive.

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  Having it all - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Prof Chaos - June 15 - 10:00 am

  I have been waiting for a car like this for a long time. It is the most fun I have ever had driving. The speed and handling has far exceeded my expectations. I look forward to driving the car every day.

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  The Best! - 1999 Volvo S80
  By KingNight - June 15 - 10:00 am

  Having owned several luxury cars over the years, Ive had my chance to really test them. My S80 is a 1999 and has roughly 60,000 miles on it. Only problem was a side light that fell out. Dealer replaced with the new revised part and said it should never happen again. So far it hasnt. Other than regular maintenance (very reasonably priced w/dealer) no problems to report at all. Its a wonderful vehicle and so solid. The seats are the best Ive ever found. I used to own a Lexus LS400. That car was great too! Its a toss up between which of these I like better. The Volvo S80 T6 (twin turbo) will blow them all away though!

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  Fantastic Ride - 2004 Volvo S40
  By smokeone - June 15 - 10:00 am

  So far it is fantastic! We wanted a car with loads of safety features, but we also like quick and sporty. The S40 is all of the above and really not much more expensive than the competitors, considering the great build quality.

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  Like the Germans Used to Make. - 2004 Volvo S80
  By freeheit - June 15 - 10:00 am

  Despite its attractive exterior, the Swedish Volvo S80 is a sensible no- nonsense sedan like the Germans used to make. Yesterday my neighbor and I were noting how much more my 2004 S80 is like his old Mercedes than the current Mercedes are, both in the Volvos sturdiness and high-quality and in its lack of Jaguar-esque friviolity. If Volvo could have completely refrained from its (admitedly minimal) use of fake wood (or any wood) in the interior, the S80 would be the worlds most perfect car.