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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  Fun in Sun and Snow - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By Derek Johnson - April 19 - 2:00 am

  I really enjoy my AWD V70 Volvo. It has been a pleasure to drive. We have had an ongoing problem with the sun roof leaking. The carpet has been replaced three times. The roof racks sold by Volvo whistle, which is a little disappointing. The dealership has indicated that they do not have a solution or a fix for the problem, which seems absurd. I have had to resort to rack pads to squelch the annoying hissing pitch. The performance in snow or icy conditions has been superb. Overall, it is a great car, a little underpowered, but fun to drive in either sun or snow.

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  Float on a cloud! - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By acbabs - April 19 - 2:00 am

  We bought the first on off the lot. My wife was in love with it. As of today (4 months later) she loves it more now than when we purchased it. Volvo waited to enter the market, but leveled the competition.

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  Nice car - 2003 Volvo S60
  By afshin - April 19 - 2:00 am

  A nice package, a four door luxury sedan with sporty look and feel. Beautiful interior as well as exterior. Chose bright color interior as it shows its true luxury and comfort. With 197 hp your are in control of road. It offers a quite ride and enjoyable driving experience

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  XC90 V-8 Sport; a unique SUV - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By William - April 18 - 10:43 pm

  Only had it for a couple of weeks, but pleased with overall performance. Outstanding looks with Sport Package and 19" wheels. Love the two-tone sport seats, suspension, Yamaha built V-8, Sirius satellite radio, etc. Surprised that at $ 51,145 list that theres no compass as standard equipment and no auto locking of the doors when the vehicle is in gear. I think the Ford bean counters are beginning to have an effect on Volvo.

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  Perfect Ladies Convertible - 2009 Volvo C70
  By Shelly - April 18 - 6:20 am

  While not up to the performance of a BMW, this car is smooth as silk. Acceleration and handling in normal driving are very good. The hardtop works amazingly well. It is quiet with the top down. You can actually listen to music with the top down at 70 MPH or have a conversation. The seats are supportive and comfortable even for my husband at 62" and 230LBS. The car looks great with the top up and fantastic with the top down. No fooling around with a cloth top or boot. Sound system is quite good and I just have the standard one. I can listen to music with top down just fine. This is not a car for a sports car enthusiast, but for me going to the golf course and work it is just great.

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  Volvo XC90, Happy Customer - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By El Paso, TX - April 16 - 9:36 pm

  At first I hesitated before pulling the trigger, now I am glad I did. The kids like the rear DVD player (the wireless headphones are awesome, love the surrond sound system) and the moon roof. It rides like a car not an SUV. I have purchased two Jeep Grand Cheerokes in the past I am glad I made the switch to Volvo. The headlamps exceed my expectations. I feel safe knowing that my wife and kids are protected. Great SUV.

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  a pleasure to drive - 2004 Volvo C70
  By bob rushing - April 16 - 9:03 am

  bought from a local dealer 26 months ago. pleasure to drive especially during the summer. have had more people than we can count compliment the look and style.

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  Best of both worlds - 2007 Volvo C70
  By JB - April 16 - 5:36 am

  I am coming off a Infiniti G35 Coupe. The Volvo is extremely well built. The car is "tight and it handles well. The best feature is the hard top convertible. In less than 30 seconds you go from coupe to convertible. Back seats are spacious for a 2 door car. Ample trunk space with top up, not bad with top down. No spare tire. No XM radio option. Standard radio is above average. Interior design is simple and clean.

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  When my wife lets me drive her C70... - 2002 Volvo C70
  By rpgorman1@aol.com - April 14 - 10:00 am

  When my wife lets me drive her C70 it can be day when I ejoy driving again. This is a great car. When yuo hit the turbo hold on. My usual commuter car is a 2000 BMW 528i but in comparison the Bimmer is just taking the family car to work. The C70 is just plain fun to drive.

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  Great Car, Fun to Drive - 1998 Volvo S70
  By Adam Hohenwarter - April 14 - 10:00 am

  I have had my S70 for about 5 1/2 years. Like all S70 owners who purchased their vehicle new, they have run into the same issues head light recall, turn signal bulb recall, lamination coming off door panels etc. I can say that once you work out these bugs, the vehicle is very good and reliable. With any vehicle maintenance is the key. Never had A/C problems, however I always run mine several times in the winter. This keeps gaskets from drying out. Some good Volvo owners web sites. www.Volvospy.com www.volvospeed.com (good maintenance/repair section)