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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  Volvo XC-90 T6 AWD - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By iwerbler - May 27 - 10:00 am

  So far so good. Well constructed solid vehicle with good, although not stellar low-end acceleration. Handles extremely well - reminiscent of German car feel. Options include a superior DVD-based nav system, versatility pkg w/3rd row seating that can accomodate two large adults, large wood steering wheel and bi-xeon headlights. Cant quite figure out the reason why the high beams dont stay in the on position when I pull the blinker stem in - but Ill toss that up to either not reading the manual or a small glitch with the high-beams.

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  Love this CAR!!! - 2008 Volvo S40
  By cwilsong - May 22 - 3:33 pm

  Just finished one year with my S40 awd and I can say for the first time in a LONG time I really LOVE my car and feal I got a great deal as well. Loads of power, fun to drive and very quiet. Probably even has a better sound system than I have at home. Best part though was that we did an OSD and picked up the car direct from the factory. Not only got exactly the car I wanted at a better price than here but got to spend 3 weeks driving it around Europe. If you are thinking about any Volvo you owe it to your self to look into OSD. Not all dealers push it as they get a fixed fee for handeling the sale but there are several Internet dealers out ther that can help you.

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  This IS what its like to love your car! - 2007 Volvo C70
  By BDKFONT - May 20 - 4:06 pm

  Top up or down this car is quiet even without the windblocker! The ride is better than the two V6s I have owned in the last 7 years. The center console panel is every gadget persons best friend!! This is just a WOW car, the lines, the comfort, the style (top up OR down) it is incredible! The back seat is "cushy" (as my 7 y/o son puts it) and the trunk space is substantial even with the top down. Try it, you will love it!

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  Its Wonderful - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Radio Flyer - May 20 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned my 1999 S80 for about four years now. It has been wonderful. Definately the most enjoyable car Ive ever owned. For those of you who have had troble with yours, let me help you..... you just need to get the free software upgrade that Volvo released. The dealer does it for free. I too had some problems the first year but after the new software, not a single issue. Thats all you need! You only need to have them do it once and its there for good! This is really a great car to own!

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  BOM BOM POW! - 2009 Volvo C70
  By MYVOLVOC70 - May 20 - 12:13 am

  I am a loyal Volvo customer and have owned a Volvo since 2001. My latest purchase exceeds my expectation. The car has a well thought out design both inside and out. The "tranformer" like hardtop puts on a fun show. My car is smooth as silk. And the bass on the audio is awesome. The turbo has a nice punch and you can pick up speed pretty well, but I dont think I will be drag racing this car. The room in this car for a convertible is surprising and even my over 6ft men in my life have leg room. The safety features that Volvo has included along with that smooth ride makes you feel safe and secure even with the top down.

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  2007 Volvo XC90 V8 - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By Larry - May 19 - 3:40 am

  Traded a 2001 BMW X5 that I thought was the best until I test drove the Volvo. So far, getting about 20 mpg with the V8...much better than I got with the 3.0 in the BMW. Handles as well as the BMW since Volvo re-tuned the suspension in 07. Great ride. The Dynaudio stereo with the Sirius is awesome.

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  excellent all around vehicle - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Tyler - May 18 - 9:40 am

  We now have 65K miles on our black V-70 T-5, and appreciate more and more each day. With the optional sport seats, we can drive for 5 hours pain free. The car drives like a luxury car on the freeway, but handles like a well-tuned sports sedan on the back roads. It has incredible mid-range passing capabilities. If driven under 80 mph on long road trips it will cover 525 miles per tank. The only down side of owning this car, is the tire life on the optional 17" wheels (20-25K), and they arent cheap. It is a kick in the pants to drive, can hold 5 people and their luggage, or fold the seats down and it can swallow an antique side- board. Its a sleeper hot rod, family hauler & truck!

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  V70R- bargain performance - 2004 Volvo V70
  By bart - May 17 - 7:20 pm

  Its a great car and a great highway cruiser but ditch the stock tires which only last 15K and get some pilots. I had an audi allroad before which had better build quality but the v70r seats are the best in the industry and the mileage is much better here. the ride is rough.

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  Scandanavian delight - 2013 Volvo XC60
  By jbaril - May 17 - 1:10 pm

  Though I wish I could have plumped for a Platinum or R-Design version, my SUV, which has Climate and Tailgate packages, as well as remote start, will do just fine. The only thing I really will miss is Homelink and possibly the fog lamps. And, aesthetically, the wood on the center console would have been nice. Car is very comfortable. Sport mode is eager and even more so when the DTSC is turned off. Wow! Quick! Heading to the mountains and snow this weekend!

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  AWESOME SUV! - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By mBot - May 16 - 1:23 pm

  Leased our 08 XC90 V8 AWD with Premium Package and Bi-Xenons in Feb 08. Best car weve ever owned! 24,000 miles on it so far and love it. No problems! Perfect size......spacious inside, 3rd Row if you need it / lots of cargo room if you dont. 2nd row slides fore and aft to adjust legroom where its needed most. Excellent interior materials and quality. Drives like a dream. Yamaha-built 4.4L V8 is a ROCKET and has tons of passing power, but will get 22-23 mpg on the highway if you set the cruise at 60-62mph. Yes, this is AWD:) Handles rock solid in the snow if you put snow tires on it. Great car.......were definitely buying it at the end of the lease