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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  Fabulous car - 2005 Volvo V50
  By AnnMarie - September 28 - 10:33 am

  This car is sporty, fun to drive, and holds all your purchases from Home Depot. I made the switch from an SUV to this car and Im really glad that I did. Also, if you compare this car to the BMW 3-series wagon, a tall person can actually sit in the back seat of the Volvo wagon as opposed to the BMW 3- series wagon where theyll be crammed in with no leg room.

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  Everything I thought it would be - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Mark - September 27 - 3:06 pm

  I have had my XC60 for two months now and it has performed better than I expected. I had a S60R and was concerned I would miss the performance. While the T6 isnt the same as my R it is better than I expected it to be. The fuel economy is a little less than the S60R and could be better. There hasnt been one thing I would say was a disappointment,

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  Fun - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Cuyama - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive, comfortable, great sound system, I have no regrets.

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  A Wonderful Car - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Northern Man G - September 26 - 10:00 am

  This has been a wonderful car. It has never let me down and only been in the shop for routine maintenance. Ive found that the ABS can be fooled by hitting potholes while braking normally but other than that the car has been a gem.

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  Safest Best Midsize Sedan EVER!!! - 2004 Volvo S40
  By Taylormommy - September 26 - 10:00 am

  This car makes me feel safe and secure when driving, especially now that I have a baby. Volvo is built for life and I feel confident trusting my daughter and my own life in the hands of their designers. I could not have asked for a more perfect car, I even had a black leather car seat to match the interior made!!!

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  Excellent Interior Comfort - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By JB Redwood - September 26 - 10:00 am

  One thing Volvo maintains is orthopedic seats designed by MDs. Believe them, the ride is superb. I own an SL600 also and I like my Volvo so much I may just own two before long. It handles like a European Sports sedan not an SUV. Remarkable car. I dont like that the rear gate doesnt latch with the lower quarter gate down or that the rear window doesnt open, as it did on our old Mountianeer, but those are my only disappointments. The 5cyl is just fine, I dont see the need for the six. I have all the power we need, its not underpowered.

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  AWD says it all - 2003 Volvo S60
  By SaigonBob - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my 2003 S60 2.5T AWD December 2002. The winter of 2002/03 was the worst in decades. Snow. First time user of an AWD. The only cars on the road were snow plows, suvs, cars that people couldnt care less if they got into a wreck and my volvo. In wet or dry weather it is fun to drive. I like the body style, interior is nicely designed, dashboard and countor of the front panel gauges are attractive, geartronic is a must, good power and excelleration, ride is a little hard, the drivers seat is down to a science and it does not look like other cars on the road. Hey, if I win the lotto Ill get a Mercedes SL500, for now Im happy with my Volvo.

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  PROUD OWNER - 2004 Volvo C70
  By Hartley Lord - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I have owned convertables for over 50 years, from the earliest Vett, 190SL,and Eldorado etc. The C70 is the most practical and enjoyable experience of all.

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  My first Volvo - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By puff - September 26 - 10:00 am

  This fits me like a glove, there is nothing I dont like about this car!! Even the dogs like their cordoned off kennel in back.

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  Love my volvo - 2004 Volvo S80
  By Karen McCord - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I only have one complaint! First of all, I love this car! Ive been complimented on the looks inside and out..and the spacious interior, not to mention the comfort. I am recently experiencing electrical problems...my fuel tank release button randomly decides not to work as well as my cruise control! Im getting it looked at tomorrow, so well see! LOVE IT THOUGH!