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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  I cant believe I bought a Volvo!! - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Hemanth - May 7 - 3:46 am

  Thats right. I cannot believe I bought a Volvo. 3 months ago if you had asked me if I would consider a Volvo S60R my question would be "a Volvo??" Actually I had gone to the Volvo deaerlship to test drive the xc90 and found the R very appealing. Took it for a spin and rest is history. I have fun everytime I drive this car. My previous car was a 97 Honda Prelude which does not come close to the ride feel, comfort, and solid built of the Volvo. I am yet to see how reliable the turbocharged engine turns out to be where my old Honda never let me down but overall I am very pleased with my R. Test drove the IS300, 330I, TL, G35 before I decided to go with the Volvo.

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  Movin up - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By USNav8tor - May 4 - 3:03 am

  I recently traded my 06 BMW M3 convertible in for this SUV. I needed the space for our new baby. My rating is slightly lower on performance and fun to drive just based on the fact I have a hard time not comparing it to the M3 - totally different vehicles, but Im still having a little separation anxiety. I do love this SUV. I did my research and really found this to be the best bang for the buck and it is. I have been a german car owner and vowed to never buy anything else... well Volvo won me over! The Volvo XC90 is fantastic!

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  Fun and Safe - 2001 Volvo S60
  By chicagomatt - May 2 - 6:03 pm

  My family are loyal Volvo owners. I, being in my 20s, have always owned 2 door, sporty cars. Then, I bought a S60T5 with every option. It is an amazing car that my friends love to ride, drive, and be seen in. The optional sport shift is great for passing and provides better control of the vehicle in all weather. Interior is sporty. The optional 4 disc indash cd and Dolby surround system is amazing qualtiy, even for the most picky of ears (whether you are listening to RENT or Van Halen). Plus, you have the ultimate car for safety with all safety standard. The only complaint is sport tires/wheels can rub against the wheel wells if turned too hard. Otherwise, the car is exceptional!

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  Hard to find a better SUV - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Caly - May 2 - 10:00 am

  I went to the Frankfurt Auto Show in late September after purchasing my Volvo in the beginning of August. I couldnt find a vehicle I liked better. Designed with safety in mind, this SUV drives like a car, has plenty of room, is very comfortable and seats 7 when you need to. This vehicle is very well thought out. Get the 2.5T vs. the T6: Better transmission(5 vs. 4-speed), better fuel economy, and faster 0-60. The T6 is for those who want the top model but do not do their homework.

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  2011 XC90 R-Design - 2011 Volvo XC90
  By Jack - May 1 - 10:00 am

  Am I the first to review the 2011 model? I have had one four days now and I absolutely love it. I can not find anything to criticize about the car. You pay for what you get and I feel every option was worth the price. The Volvo drives rock steady on the road and I feel the engine is adequate. I had some concerns about the 6 cylinder but it does the job. So far in mixed driving I am averaging 20MPG. I think with highway driving that will increase. Bluetooth is now built in and works superbly. The radio/telephone controls are mixed together and are a little overwhelming at first but work as designed. The seats are very comfortable and love the R-Design color scheme. Love this car!

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  Love This Car - 2004 Volvo V70
  By REB - April 28 - 11:56 am

  300 HP performance while still averaging 22 mpg with mixed highway/city driving is amazing! We now have over 25,000 miles on the car and it is great. The auto transmission robs you of quite a bit of power compared to the manual.

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  The Man & His Machine (update) - 2001 Volvo C70
  By jmybowen - April 28 - 3:23 am

  Im the guy who reviewed his "Red HP-turbo coupe" almost four years ago; this is an update. I hit a deer with it three years ago and its a tank! Very safe! Now the cost of ownership: Well, I now have 160k+. I think the transmission is starting to slip. I drive 20k per year; thats about 1k every three months for service,the 17in Mich. A/S tires run about $1,300 every 60K, premium fuel is a must! Dont let anyone else convince you otherwise [160k-remember?]. If youre planning to buy one of these used-& No you can"t have mine!-keep in mind that these things cost you. Its been eight years now. I love it! But my next primary car will be something less expensive & more practical.

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  I just love my Volvos - 2000 Volvo S70
  By Paradise Boy - April 26 - 12:56 pm

  I had ordered this 2000 VolvoS70 SE ASR in 1999 and picked it up from the dealer in December 1999. Right from the start my wife and I had loved everything about it the comfort, drive, style and reliability that comes with a volvo. Now 10 years old and still going strong. I have had to do some maintenance nothing major. We loved it so much that and with the addition of children, in November 2008 we had purchased the 2009 Volvo XC90 to the driveway. The volvo S70 got us hooked on volvos and we never even looked at any other make. We love our two Volvos.

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  This is not your fathers Volvo! - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Justaguy - April 26 - 2:00 am

  What an incredible car. I looked for a car for over 2 years and have finally found my "mid-life crisis" car. Great accelleration, no problem with the automatic transmission, beautiful interior (I got the alcama leather), unbelievable sound system. A real pleasure to drive. The Nav-system takes some getting used to (not quite as user friendly as others) but once mastered it is quite functional.

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  Fun, Fun, Fast and Furious - 2004 Volvo S60
  By miklos - April 26 - 2:00 am

  I took delivery through the military sales program. What a major discount! Certainly makes it worthwhile. A four door M3 there is not, this has four doors, family safety, and performance approaching and M3 or the much less reliable Audi S4. It certainly is a blast to drive, and handles very well. I didnt get an appreciation for the "vague, if video game like" steering that some "high performance" reviews have stated. This car is a great value for the money, even if the engine doesnt put out the horsepower thats advertised.