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:

• 

  HOT!! Volvo C30 R-Design - 2011 Volvo C30
  By rsoldier97 - September 7 - 7:54 am

  I test drove several cars to include the Volkswagon GTI and Mazdaspeed 3. I wanted something with a European feel when driving and this car nailed it. The Car has more than ample horsepower. Exterior Styling is a attention grabber.....Going to a new drive thru window always has the kids commenting on the car. It really is a wonder why there is not many on the road, but it sure does get attention....Interior is a BIT BORING, but I spiced it up with amplifiers. Kinda upset that door sills are not dressed up like other "luxury" brands. If you want something with performance and not just a kiddie compact tuner cars this will get attention. My first Volvo and I love it. Hatch is small.

• 

  Less than thrilled- Consider the T5 - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By farsidejohn - September 7 - 2:00 am

  I am not delighted with this car. There is a noticeable squealing whenever I back off the accelerator. The problem (thought to be turbocharger back-pressure) is currently "under investigation" by Volvo. The windshield washers are loose and turn on their own. Not the kind of build quality you would expect on a $40K+ car. Fuel economy on the T6 is awful. In summary, there are no major problems but this is not what I expected for $43K. Do not overlook the T5 version as it is nearly as fast as the T6 with smoother performance due to the 5 speed transmission. It also has much better fuel economy. If I had it to do over again, I would have bought the T5.

• 

  XC90 - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Kelley Gordon - September 6 - 8:43 pm

  I feel weight off my shoulders- I sold my Volvo last weekend for a Subaru Outback. In spite of poor SUV value it was relief to be rid of the constant maintenance. I bought it as a new mom hoping for the reliabilty and safety Volvo is known for--instead I spent literally every week at Volvo servicing another check engine light, gasket loose, a power source issue, a low voltage warning...you name it. I spent more time arranging childcare for my trips to the dealership than I did driving my children in it. It makes me so angry because I worked hard saving to buy this "high quality" vehicle for my family. I wish Volvo understood or cared how diappointed I am.

• 

  Utterly unique in a sea of sameness - 2008 Volvo V50
  By mitch - September 6 - 3:50 pm

  This cars smart! Not generic Japanese, nor flashy BMW. Distinctive, so few on the road. Why? Designers have done super-sculptural job w/sheet metal around wheels, hood, roofline. Handsome! Perfectly scaled, hauls stuff but still comfy compact footprint. Fab interior for a 63"guy, though leaves back seats cramped. Settling into front is like puttting on fine gloves, famous Volvo seats coddle. Easy, high quality controls arent over-baked. Zippy turbo rocks. Nice throaty engine. You feel all the road bumps, suspension tight. A little oversteer. Not a big issue. I just love the Volvo ethos, low key class, a bit quirky, solid, albeit at a price.

• 

  Great look, great safety - 2002 Volvo S60
  By Junec - September 6 - 9:43 am

  The Volvo S60 is the most favorite sports sedan I have ever owned. It has been problem free, is fun to drive, has great styling, and is very comfortable. The engine is powerful which in an urban area is important and the safety features like SIPS, side air bags, and seatbelts that will lock you in instaneously in an accident are second to none.

• 

  Fun AND Comfortable on long commute - 2006 Volvo S40
  By PA-NYC_Volvo driver - September 6 - 8:23 am

  Never gave Volvo a thought until I test drove this car and was I impressed. I test drove the BVW 3series, Audi, Honda, Acura and was suprised to find that this car was actually fun, quick and handling was comparable to its competitors. Did I mention fun...Hold on when the turbo kicks in...got to remember to lay off the accelerator at times! It maneuvers/responds superbly in and out of tight city traffic or interstate traffic. The one hour drive is very comfortable especially after a 13hr work day. Besides, I couldnt have gotten a fully loaded vehicle w/ so many options I didnt think were necessary but now cant do without for less than 30K....definitely not the other mentioned vehicles

• 

  Well built speed machine! - 2008 Volvo C30
  By Good Job Volvo - September 5 - 3:36 pm

  I have owned this car for 8000 miles now. I wanted to get in some seat time and see how the car would responed to my new born daughter and her car seat before I write a review. Volvo has indeed out done itself. From the ordering process to the driving experience(minus the build time). I was hooked the second I jumped in and cranked the key. My wife and I were worried about our daughters car seat. We have a Graco rear facing seat with the quick release base. I have only two complaints about this. One, is that you have to move the seat forward in order for it to fit. Luckily for my wife she is small. The second is locking of the seat after I put the car seat in or out of the car

• 

  Perfect so far - 2007 Volvo S40
  By alice_s40 - September 4 - 9:42 pm

  This was not the car I was shopping for when I bought it, I was looking at a BMW 330ihad they not sold it I would be driving that and complaining about the oil changes. However I currently have 45k on mine, its a stick and its a blast to drive. Mine is red so it attracts the looks and questions. Great gas mileage about 28-32 respectively, its been driven on some back country roads where traction was an issue and handled it great, snow no problem. All I have done is the oil changes, synthetic blend when The light tells me too..great car, fun to drive, has a little road noise but I replaced the tires and so far so good. Now having said all these good things nothing btw go wrong.

• 

  Im spoiled for ordinary cars - 2007 Volvo S60
  By Zach - September 4 - 7:46 am

  This car is lightning fast, stable, and comfortable on long drives. The best of both worlds in terms of a sports car with coupe lines that you can live with and bring along friends. Great stereo, phenomenal seats - this car fits me better than anything else I have ever driven.

• 

  Value - 2006 Volvo S60
  By S60R_Boy - September 3 - 9:30 pm

  Its true that this car is not quite in the same league as the Audi S4, BMW M3, and Mercedes C55. HOWEVER, for about $10,000 less than these German competitors, the Volvo S60R is an outstanding value. I just leased a 2007 model and got an amazing deal. A 36-month lease on an Audi S4, BMW M3, or Mercedes C55 would have cost me an additional $250 per month - not worth it in my opinion. The value proposition presented by the S60R was hard to pass up!