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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  If you buy an S40 get the Turbo! - 2009 Volvo S40
  By engrgrad - October 13 - 1:23 pm

  This is my first Volvo after owning a V6 Honda Accord. I find the non-turbo very underpowered and an overall disappointment. Passing vehicles almost always requires the use of the auto-stick. Seats become uncomfortable after long drives and climate control is very difficult to regulate. I would recommend that you thoroughly investigate performance prior to purchasing

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  Best Car Ever Built...End of Discussion! - 1998 Volvo S70
  By jayandally - October 12 - 8:24 am

  I bought my Volvo S70 in 2000 with 24,000 miles on it, but sadly had to say goodbye to it this week. While it didnt get me to 300K, it did get me to 286,000. The only work I ever had done was sparks plugs & wires, fuel filter, radiator hoses and alternator. The car was rock solid and reliable. I was so impressed with the car, I bought another S70 - hopefully this one gets me over 200K also.

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  S 60 Rocks - 2004 Volvo S60
  By apple1715 - October 10 - 2:00 am

  Quality in everything I have touched. Great Acceleration and Braking.

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  Lovely Car, Top Secret Repair Info - 1996 Volvo 850
  By janow - October 10 - 2:00 am

  I got this car for $6500 in January 2003 with 88K miles. Its lovely car and so far has needed only $500 for new brakes (local mechanic). But the seat belt needs to be replaced for about $185, and I worry about repair. Ive always bought real shop manuals for cars I own to spot BS and help me fix simple things without going to dealers who make a big deal out of everything. Volvo does everything possible to frustrate this: the real shop manuals are a set costing about $1000 rather than the usual $50 - $100.

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  Just Sold it After 112,000 Great Miles! - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Art_Carbine - October 10 - 2:00 am

  Dont believe any bad reviews on the T6. Up until this past month I had a 1999 S80 T6 since new with virtually no trouble at all. The car does need a software upgrade which Volvo does for free. The car only needs the upgrade once and never again. The reliablity on the car is better than any car Ive owned. Before owning the T6, I had owned four BMWs over the years. The BMWs are way too high for maintenance, not nearly as fun to drive, and nowhere near as reliable. I really regret selling the T6. I bought a new Lexus and although it is a nice car, its just not exciting like my T6 was. I never should have changed to the Lexus. I miss my T6!

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  Forget SUVs, Volvo Aces the Test! - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By superdve - October 10 - 2:00 am

  We own 6 cars; every car we own is a performance car INCLUDING the XC70. Were STILL too sporty of a family for a minivan yet we DO need to haul a couple of kids and their gear. "Smallish" 2.5 Low Pressure Turbo cant hang with my AWD, Turbocharged 535 hp S10 project but neither can a Viper! :) BUT, this thing will do a sub 8 second 0-60 blast in cool weather! We observed 27 MPG on a trip at speeds of 75-80 mph. My wife has a lead foot and averages 18.2 miles per gallon in city driving. Handling of the "hi rider" XC70 is not "Vettelike" but it is passable and very safe in an emergency situation. The seats are AWESOME!

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  TOTAL PACKAGE - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Rain1rat - October 10 - 2:00 am

  GREAT AUTOMOBILE. GET THE 2.5L TURBO AWD.DRIVES LIKE A CAR. FOR THOSE PEOPLE LOOKING FOR AN SUV THAT DRIVES LIKE A CAR BUT HAS AMPLE ROOM, THIS IS THE VEHICLE. THIRD ROW SEATING IS MADE FOR CHILDREN OR SMALL ADULTS. GREAT THING IS ALL SEATS CAN FOLD DOWN INDIVIDUALLY, GIVING YOU PLENTY OF CARGO OPTIONS. CHILD BOOSTER SEAT ON THE VERSATILITY PACKAGE IS AWESOME. VOLVO REALLY TOOK THEIR TIME ON THIS ONE. ONLY CON TO THE VEHICLE SO FAR IS NO ARM REST FOR THE DRIVER. KIND OF AWKWARD AT FIRST. THIS VEHICLE IS WELL WORTH THE MONEY SPENT. GET ONE!!!

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  Direct from the Factory - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By JPartyka - October 10 - 2:00 am

  Retrieved our vehicle directly at Goteborg, Sweden, drove all over Europe and this vehicle exceeded my expectations 10 fold. The T5 is not underpowered as some complain ( it will beat my 5 liter Explorer no problem )and I can attest to its 120 mph speed on autobahn. ( there is an RPM governor, otherwise shell go faster). Driving the Alps was exciting w/ manual gear-tronic trans - dont have to burn brakes. (5 speed good idea here )Tour the factory to see them buid the XC90.

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  Great Car! - 2002 Volvo S80
  By volvo owner - October 8 - 2:00 am

  I have driven Audies, Toyotas, acuras, BMW, MB and this one tops it all...love it!

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  Greatest Car on the Market! - 2005 Volvo V50
  By Ann Warner - October 7 - 3:36 pm

  This is the best wagon on the market! It has all the cargo space that my old SUV did, plus it has safety features found only in Volvo & BMW (whiplash protection seats). Also, the stereo is phenomenal and it drives like a dream and is easy to park.