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 Review - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By H Kumnick - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Great Utility & Fun to Drive.

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  Excellent car - 2002 Volvo C70
  By Linda Nyberg - May 26 - 10:00 am

  runs great looks great feels great female harley

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  VOVLO S40tay - 2003 Volvo S40
  By L Petri Design - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Great car, great price!!!!

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  A great Sports Sedan - 2002 Volvo S60
  By sroth356 - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Outstanding Sports Sedan. Fun to drive, great performance, outstanding stereo. Wonderful 5 Speed manual transmission. We have less than 1000 miles so far, but absolutely no problems or regrets.

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  third S60 - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Bob-a-loo - May 23 - 10:00 am

  Im driving my third S60, the first one was total by a rear end collision, car hit me was doing over 100mph according to police...my car was totaled, but I was unhurt....My newest S seems to better on gas than before I average 25mpg overall driving. Comfortable front seats are my favorite feature...MY last S60 went 65000 miles without any repairs....great car

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  Volvo rocks! - 2001 Volvo V70
  By JesseFerraro - May 23 - 10:00 am

  Volvos have been produced by swedish engineers whose soul purpose was to make a vehicle that would ultimately save your life. That was over 2 decades ago, since then they have layered comfort, reliability, handling, practicality and power upon the one thing that singles out Volvo from the rest: your Safety. The Volvo xc-70 turbo brought volvo into a dimension of automobile ingenuity. Riding this car in about a foot of powder in Utah, I almost felt as if I were on a snowmobile. Stopping short in snow, I wouldnt slide for more than a foot (at speeds of 20-40 mph). Lets not forget about its 220hp that leaves most sports cars in the dust! Volvo rocks!

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  Nice car - 2004 Volvo S80
  By Fred Burson - May 23 - 10:00 am

  I have been very pleased with the car. Rides nice, gauges easy to read. Cell phone built into the steering wheel very handy. Very easy to find yourself speeding down the interstate well over the speed limit.

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  A Good Nice looking car - 2002 Volvo S60
  By llewis - May 23 - 10:00 am

  I really enjoy my Volvo S60. The service from my local dealer is great! I have had some scheduled service done and they will take care of anything. Everything is covered by the Volvo warranty! My car was a certified used car so I can look forward to several more years of unparalled service. If you want a nice car with nice interior styling and a great safety record, this is the one.

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  Volvo s40 t5 extended test drive - 2005 Volvo S40
  By adzling - May 23 - 10:00 am

  I had the pleasure of driving a loaded 05 t5 for a couple weeks around the SF Bay area recently and came away very impressed. For comparison I test drove the g35 sedan, Audi A4, Subaru WRX and Passat V6; still the s40 came away w/ higher marks in imho. I had the opportunity to push it up to 125 and do some high speed mountain driving to test its road holding and passing prowess. Succeeded admirably w/out complaints nor any noticeable under/ oversteer or turbolag. This car loves to go. Ride was a good compromise between road- holding and comfort, though if it was me I would have stiffened the suspension slightly.

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  Very nice car - 2005 Volvo V70
  By annapoal - May 22 - 11:00 pm

  The newer v70 is much improved when compared to the older ones. The ride and handling with the optional wheel and tires is excellent. Mileage is very good. The seats are world class, the best. Performance of the nonturbo is good due to the 5 speed tranny and variable valve timing. Great mileage. Generous room in all areas. The worst I can say is the AM reception is poor.