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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  Love it! - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By chunka Smith - September 7 - 10:49 am

  This is our second XC90 and we love it more than the first!

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  One Fine Swede - 2007 Volvo S80
  By Bob - September 5 - 6:33 pm

  My fifth Volvo, the best yet. At 23,500 miles Im getting 28 MPG on the highway at 75 MPH with and average of 25 MPG city/highway. My car is loaded less rear seat intertainment system.

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  There is no substitute - 2004 Volvo V70
  By JWSholtis - September 4 - 10:00 am

  I wanted a performance wagon that had to be "red". The only comparable vehicle from my perspective is the Audi S6 Avant. The "R" is a much better value. The build quality is "outstanding". The styling is a bit understated, but there are some very unique "R" touches that make it standout. I considered Audi A6 Avant, Audi Allroad, and VW Passat W8 wagons but felt the V70R was the best in the group based on performance, cargo capacity, features, color, and overall uniqueness (500 to be built). There is no substitute... If you can track down a V70R or a dealer with a open allocation, I suggest you move quickly because there are only 499 left!

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  Dont miss out - 2004 Volvo C70
  By sladder - September 4 - 10:00 am

  The Volvo c70 is the perfect car—or at least the perfect car for anyone who wants to have fun driving and doesnt want to look silly in a cabriolet. Its beauitfully done--what a pity that Volvo didnt push harder. No doubt it will become a classic.

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  My new S40 - 2006 Volvo S40
  By Lindsay C - August 31 - 5:20 am

  I love my new S40! It is a great little car! I have driven Honda Accords all my life and made the switch! I am not at all disappointed! It drives GREAT and is so fun to drive. I feel so safe in it, the safety features are unreal! The only minor complaint is that it needs more compartment space on the inside. I keep a lot of stuff in my car and there is not as many places to put it all. But other than that I have no complaints!!! Love it!

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  Great car, great buy! - 2006 Volvo V70
  By Iowaman - August 29 - 3:10 am

  Bought this "last year" model at considerable savings, really not much more than "non premium" cars we considered. I now understand why people buy luxury automobiles. This car is incredibly smooth, quiet, and comfortable. The leather seating is superb and the vehicle feels very solid in its construction. Cars and trucks passing by produce hardly any noise in the cabin, unlike the SUV we traded in, where we had to shout to be heard. The Volvo safety features also make it a great purchase.

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  Vacation plus new car - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Volvofan - August 29 - 2:00 am

  This is our 4th Volvo (since 1984), we picked up this one in Sweden,using a free flight from Volvo. Put on 2500 miles in Europe before shipping it back to CA (at Volvo expense.) Sure beats a rental car. My current Volvo is a 1988 240DL, which still runs fine--very reliable.

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  Great S 60 - 2003 Volvo S60
  By spagtio - August 29 - 2:00 am

  Excellent value - great ride, safety features, styling. The car has a great road feel, good power balance and good fuel economy. The clutch requires the least effort Ive ever experienced!

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  The XC-90 - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By buffpru - August 29 - 2:00 am

  I have driven Jeep Grand Cherokees for several years and was very accustomed to their ride. In comparison, the Volvo drives and rides like a regular car and not like a SUV. I have also been impressed with the performance and Volovs attention to detail. This is a fun car to drive and own.

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  Love the new s-80 - 2010 Volvo S80
  By john w - August 28 - 9:26 am

  Having owned an 04 V-70 with a n/a 2.4 5 cylinder we were well acquainted with the Volvo brand, I also own an 05 V-70. We have the PZEV 220 hp engine and it is plenty peppy, decent on fuel on the highway, not so much around town 19 mpg. The overall build quality is superb,the standard equipment is mind boggling, leather is standard, not so with mb/audi/bmw! Hd radio and bluetooth! Oh and did I mention the seats, the most comfortable seats period! It is a fun car to drive, Volvo tweaked the shift points and our 3.2 pzev flies, great ride not as punishing as our 04 V-70. I looked and drove audi/mb/bmw a-6/e class/5 series. It is true they have more potent engines but for thousands less!JHW