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:

• 

  06 Black on Black C70 - 2007 Volvo C70
  By doubletap - July 16 - 7:53 am

  Its my wifes car, but I get to play with it on weekends. Wow what a car, for the price we paid its worth it. We have a 97 Maxima which has great acceleration, but the C70 takes off like a bat out of hell. The feel is great, have to watch from ending up in someones rearend. The car surprises you as you press on the gas. The car seems to be therapeutic, just get in the car and start driving, and you feel the problems just get left behind. The car is so enjoyable to drive.

• 

  Great Car - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By slj - July 14 - 5:10 pm

  Debated on whether on not to buy one since JD Power and Consumer Reports didnt like them. After driving Land Rover, BMW, Acura, Infiniti and all the other SUVs, we didnt find one that we liked as much as the Volvo. Bought it and are so glad we did. Rides nice, quiet and smooth. Volvo has been great to deal with, we have had no problems with it. all the complaints that others mention in the review we havent seen. Is great to drive around town or on a long road trip. The kids in the back are comfortable and happy and we up front are as well. No regrets at all buying it and am very glad that I did despite the not-so-good reviews from the above mentioned organizations.

• 

  fearful yet tickled - 1998 Volvo V70
  By fearful - July 13 - 5:56 am

  Less than one day after my purchase of an ultra clean silver v70 wagon with 135k and just a few obvious repairs needed. We paid 4995 less 1750 bucks for my somewhat hated kia rio 5 speed no power steering car that I bought new 9 years ago. The mixed reviews tell me I am in for some costly repairs but until then this car seems better for not too much money spent. Also the car insures for much less (60.00 a month full coverage) because of its high safety rating. Well see I guess

• 

  Need to Build Them Like They Used To! - 2001 Volvo S80
  By lisag - July 8 - 6:56 pm

  Gone are the days when a Volvo lasted for 200,000 miles. I am on my third Volvo and cant say I would buy another one. The last one was a 1995 850 that I drove for 60,000 miles before the transmission went on it. I traded it for a 2001 S80, which I have loved, but now the transmission needs to replaced at 72,000 miles. $5,500 is a bit much to sink into a car with a blue book value slightly higher than that. These cars are great if you can afford to keep sinking money into them.

• 

  Ma Super T5 - 1998 Volvo S70
  By T5 Owner - July 5 - 10:00 am

  Man, this car ROCKS! Bought it when its 80000, now 100000. I just came back from a trip from Edmonton. This car is just WOW on highways. The turbo is superb, but the lag is annoying. Once the lags gone unlimited power comes. Ive drove this baby up to 200km/h Its still as steady as ever. This car screams at 4000rpm plus, but the power is wonderful. The headlights are awsome.

• 

  Love the car in every way except for tires - 2015 Volvo V60
  By Grn567 - July 3 - 4:10 am

  2015.5 Volvo v60 premier e-drive Pros -handles great, very responsive - sporty, fast, so fun to drive - beautiful lines - silent cabin - most comfy seats - very good gas mileage though overstated, I think as best weve managed is 34 mpg - plenty of cargo space Cons - no doubt its falling grace are the cheap Continental tires. Im 45 years old, never a tire blow out in my life and Ive had 2 now in first 5 months of car - usb does not support iPhone 6 so only Bluetooth linkable which is kinda lame

• 

  Get one before everyone else does! - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Kampaku - July 2 - 3:06 am

  We live in a Chicago neighborhood, and we needed a car that could get us around in winter and fit in tight spaces, has enough cargo room to hold all the stuff that accompanies 2 young kids, and was enough fun to drive that my wife and I wouldnt mind hauling them around. The XC60 met all of those requirements, plus it isnt ubiquitous like Lexus RXs, Acura MDXs, and BMW X5s! There were a few features that I liked better in those cars and the Audi Q5, but weve been thrilled with the XC60 and would buy a 2nd one if had the the need & room.

• 

  volvo girl for life - 2004 Volvo S60
  By volvo gal - June 29 - 2:00 am

  I owned a S40 for two years and wanted more power, the s60 was it! the Volvo moto is correct. Volvo for Life. Once you have driven a volvo you will find it hard to ever go back to a honda! The s60 offers power when needed and comfort the whole way. Highly recommeded, body style is big and bad! if the HP of 204 w/ turbo is not enough plan on the ECU chip being released later this year, boosting to 304 HP!

• 

  99 Volvo V70 base - 1999 Volvo V70
  By jerrsnbrg - June 29 - 2:00 am

  We bought the car with 50k miles, lots of squeaks, rattles. We had to replace AC at 62k, cost $1300. Im sure if I take it to the dealer they will find other problems. Overall a good car but I wonder about future reliabilty.

• 

  The stealth car... Rather the car no one knows about. - 2006 Volvo S60
  By IntParty - June 28 - 7:10 am

  was stunned when I test drove it and several moments told Gary the Carmax sales man." I like this I like it a lot, I think Im going to take this home with me tonight." So I took it home. I have no problems with this vehicle other then the leg room in the back for passengers. But since I rarely ever drive anyone else its no big problem.