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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  Best of Europe - 2016 Volvo XC60
  By Drew - April 11 - 1:02 am

  This is my second Volvo and the first one I had went over 100,000 miles with no service calls outside of general maintenance. Volvo is known for safety but I bought it for comfort and the quality of the interior. I think Volvo gives you a better product than its German competitors.

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  Excellent Choice - 2004 Volvo S40
  By kgun - April 10 - 10:00 am

  This car caught my attention and it keeps growing on me every time I drive it. It handles excellently and has enough power to keep up with everyone else.

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  Rare Combination - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Reviewer - April 9 - 5:50 pm

  I love my S60R! Few cars in the world can claim high performance, comfort, exclusivity, great looks, all wheel drive, and still get 30 miles per gallon on the highway. It is a jack of all trades, and a master of none, other than being a great all around performance car. I bought the car two years ago with 25K miles and have had a few maintenance issues that have thankfully been covered under warranty; i.e. the HID headlamps pointed down too much and triggered a warning, the radio display went haywire, there in a thumping sound in the rear suspension occasionally when braking, and oh yes, the factory front air dams got torn off in a matter of months.

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  2003 S60 AWD - 2003 Volvo S60
  By ed - April 9 - 7:56 am

  Bought mine used. Put 60k on it in not quite 4 years. Nothing major has ever gone wrong with this car. I love the car. The interior is downright swank. Heated seats are the bomb, Acceleration is surprisingly powerful, mileage is average or a hair less than I would have expected (26 mpg). Yes, its noisy. If that bugs you, itll be too much for you. If not, the car is awesome. And if you have kids, youll feel very responsible while still having a sporty, fun, and good looking car.

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  Jims review - 2007 Volvo C70
  By Jim - April 8 - 5:36 pm

  The car is very comfortable and well constructed. The stereo system is amazing. The convertible top is ingenious. The fit and finish of the vehicle is outstanding. Styling is sleek and mature. The engine power could be classified as peppy. Interior and exterior design is distinctive and elegant.

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  Reflections - 2008 Volvo C70
  By Jamie - April 8 - 10:56 am

  Bought the car from the distribution center. Came to me with no squeaks, rattles, etc. Has so far been a flawless experience contrasted with my 2005 and 2002 CLK cabriolets, which were both problem-prone.

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  Best seats ever, buy this SUV for the seats alone - 2015 Volvo XC60
  By erikn206 - April 7 - 8:05 pm

  Go on one good long drive in this Volvo and youll see why this car is a great deal, being cheaper than luxury cars, but a step up from your standard choices. The seats arent noticeably different from other cars until you get up after a long drive and realize how much better you feel than if you were sitting in a normal car that long. I bought an R-Design for the looks and it has a ridiculous amount of power. I have also driven non-R-design versions and they are also quite good and much cheaper. Note that you do get the occasional false alarm from the forward collision warning system, but Id rather have one or two false alarms then get in a collision.

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  First 1000 miles - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By nicksal - April 7 - 2:00 am

  Traded a 2000 Suburban on the XC90. Clearly a fantastic vehicle. My wife and I have enjoyed every mile so far. Our 3 children 7,4 and 3 are very comfortable without any compromise. No matter where we are, people stop and look at the car, often being complimentary. I recommend this car over a Suburban or an Expedition based on personal experience.

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  We love our new xc90 - 2017 Volvo XC90
  By Susan MacPherson - March 29 - 5:21 pm

  We owned a 2007 xc90 and just updated it to a 2017. We love all the new features- it is more luxurious and has added conveniences than the older model. But it still has all the aspects we liked in the previous one. We feel great about the purchase.

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  S60R - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Jim_s60r - March 27 - 10:00 am

  Hrd to believe it is a Volvo. A great sleeper car.