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:

• 

  Not The Volvo of Old - 2000 Volvo S70
  By Drewber from Texas - October 25 - 2:00 am

  The S70 GLT SE is an excellent car. It possesses very good power, near-luxury comforts, stable ride on the road and good safety features. The sound system is unbelievable with an 8-speaker design. It seems as though Volvo is striving to imitate Japanese quality and apperance. Some of us still want boxy, heavy, classic car designs. Clearly, Ford is having a greater and greater influence on design - too bad.

• 

  Best of the Best - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By FredM - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I felt that this was the best SUV that I drove. I drove the x5 (all over the road), the Acura MDX (Too stiff) but lots of goodies for the price. I have to wait for mine to come in. Seems like there is a long waiting list

• 

  Cant have it all - 2007 Volvo XC70
  By Volvoman - October 24 - 5:10 pm

  2nd Volvo XC 70 for us. Previous was 03, with better mileage (17/26). City driving yields 13mpg, highway never better than 22. Also have had repeated problems with the tire pressure monitoring system--car has been back 3x for service--each time, they tweak, but warning message comes on after 30 minutes on highway. Never in short runs in city. Earlier they changed sensors, told me to keep tyres infated to 43psi (!) Now they have changed some electronics-lets see.

• 

  Nice car with incredible service for 5 yr or 60 k - 2012 Volvo S60
  By kaos2 - October 23 - 10:46 am

  This is a great car. I test drove the a4 and 3 series. All three are great cars. But optioned out the s60 kicks BMW and Audi butt. About $5k less. I received 5 yr warranty including maintenance at no charge! Not even BMW can beat that.

• 

  GREAT SUV - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By MGAIL - October 23 - 10:00 am

  I HAVE OWNED MY VOLVO XC90 FOR 3 MONTHS AND IT IS A GREAT SUV! DRIVES GREAT, RIDES SMOOTHLY AND HAS PLENTY OF ROOM. THE 5 CYLINDER HAS GREAT POWER AND IT GETS 20 MPG WHICH I AM PLEASED WITH. A GREAT VEHICLE TO OWN. I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

• 

  Love this ride! - 2002 Volvo C70
  By ckckC70 - October 21 - 2:00 am

  Its just a joy to drive. Incredibly comfortable seats, great sound system, good controls. There is an irritating lag in acceleration from a stop, which Im told is typical of turbo engines.

• 

  Yes it is a Volvo but..... - 2003 Volvo S40
  By StuartL. - October 21 - 2:00 am

  Got a great deal on a demo model with exactly the features that I wanted. People in the dealership are great and not stuckup like Audi and BMW. Given Volvos reputation for building sturdy, dependable cars I have been surprised by the need for new break pads every 20K and the high maintanence costs.

• 

  Love the car but.... - 2008 Volvo XC70
  By antrow - October 20 - 7:06 pm

  The car only has 1950 miles on it and it was in the shop four times for a clunking/popping sound coming from the front end on turns and some rattles. I think they may have finally fixed it by replacing the front subframe rear bushings and both control arms. I love the luxurious ride and interior but the gas mileage is only averaging 18 at best and that is with 50-75% highway. The car has some nice features such as the Blind Spot Warning System, Personal Car Communicator and remote tailgate.

• 

  Love, love love! - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Kate - October 20 - 6:13 pm

  Just bought this puppy! Love it. However, I feel the ride is a little bumpy. Maybe after the shocks loosen up a bit... Very nice to drive with user friendly dash

• 

  V8 XC90 - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By MF3681 - October 20 - 10:53 am

  Great fit and finish. The V8 comes with the 7 seat package, rear A/C, leather, etc. Still brand new but no initial problems, just like a high end Japanese car. Performance is excellent and the vehicle handles very well.