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:

• 

  Great car - 2000 Volvo S80
  By JPS80T6 - March 26 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car for several thousand miles now, and continue to be pleased by it. The ride is wonderful, and the performance is just as impressive. Definitely take a look at this car.

• 

  YIP E - 2011 Volvo C70
  By thirdwiley - March 25 - 8:36 pm

  After one month, this is my favorite Volvo in initial quality and design. I have owned a 850 GLT and currently own an S80. The C70 is quieter at interstate speeds than my S80 and my wife and I feel like we are in a snug, safe, comfortable cocoon when driving. Its just plain fun to drive and we also like the head-turning effect.

• 

  volvo - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Lisa - March 25 - 1:26 pm

  Great car for the family! I have had Mercedes, Navigator, multiple explorers... Great car- dont like the gas mileage even on the 5 cyl. and was really surprised at how poorly even with Traction Control the car was in the snow.

• 

  I love it! - 2017 Volvo XC90
  By Jack YM - March 24 - 4:37 pm

  This is my third week of driving Volvo XC90 and both my kids and I love it! I have been searching for a replacement for my Honda Odyssey for a while. I have compared Acura MDX, Audi Q7, Mercedes GLE, and BMW X5. Eventually, I decided to have the XC90 and have to say that it has exceeded my expectation so far. Initially, I was thinking to buy a MDX given I have had a Honda before and for the value. However, I think the interior of the MDX is not as luxurious as one would expect and with all the options, it is not that "value" anymore, so to speak. Sometimes, people may have experienced "buyers remorse" wishing you have bought a different car. It never occurred to me. As I said earlier, my kids love riding in this car and I feel good driving the car. The security features are excellent and are one of the main reasons I chose this car. The technology is super and the touch screen central display is very good, simple, clean, and works. One may need take time to learn how it works, just like using ipad or iphone. My car also comes with the "red" key which is nice if you have younger ones driving the car (additional safety features like limiting the driving speed). The only thing it took a little bit more time to make it work is the "Homelink" button for garage door opener. The instruction comes with the car doesnt help much. I went to the "Homelink" website and downloaded the instruction for this specific car. It worked on my first try. I wish it had come with the car a separate sheet/instruction on how to program the "Homelink" button given this would probably the first thing people would do once they drive the car home. Overall, I am very happy and pleased with the car.

• 

  T6 - 75th edition - 2002 Volvo S80
  By northland - March 20 - 10:00 am

  no comparison to the S80 of a few years ago, this car is much improved. little noticeable torque steer and like glue on the road when you punch the throttle from stop or at highway speeds. this car is growing on me like my old box shaped Volvos ... skeptic at first but its carrying on that traditional feel of another solid, quiet, dependable and SAFE Volvo!

• 

  Overall I got what i hoped I was getting - 1999 Volvo S70
  By dean koppenhaver - March 19 - 1:50 am

  Having only owned this vehicle for a month a guess I should have had the opportunity to say N/A for the reliability. But being on the road five days a week and driving approximately 2000 miles a month, I think I can fairly assess everything else. Performance wise, the spunky little 2.4 5L has plenty of pep (no,not as performance based as an Audi or VW) and handles corners cleanly. Ergonomically, in some regards Volvo needs to be more intuitive with small things like better front cupholders. On a plus, this car is the simplest vehicle there is when it comes to changing a brake or tail light. Build quality is where I got what I hoped for, a solid, safe, fun to drive, car!

• 

  Entry luxuary at modest price - 2009 Volvo S60
  By Dan - March 16 - 3:10 am

  Smooth and solid ride. Very comfortable seat. With promotion in July, I got my Volvo at Camry/Accord price! AND, 5 year 60,000 free maintenance plus road assistant!! It was no brainer to go for Volvo. Also came with leather/sun roof as standard. The climate control system is excellent - I love rain sensing wipers.

• 

  Safest SUV on the road - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Dave and Angela - March 15 - 11:56 am

  We picked up our XC-90 in Gothenberg, Sweden in June 05. What a fabulous experience. The factory delivery program is just one of the best!! We toured Sweden for 8 days in great comfort before flying elsewhere and shipping this car home. Our trip was very memorable, had a lot of fun driving this spacious SUV around the country, putting 1000 miles on it. It has great pick up, very stable feel and we just love it!! This is our 5th Volvo, 3rd new one, all still running. Two are now owned by another family member. 3 of them have over 200K miles and running great. We have had no repair problems whatsoever with this car.

• 

  Give credit to this is a excellent SUV - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By M and H - March 14 - 1:30 am

  Handles great and very good safty evan in very bad weather, Big blind spot in backing up> A wow and beutiful style gets lots of looks and questions asked of it, Just drives great and wonderful in ALL weather, this is not an off road or a all so fancy SUV. Volvo is a safe, powerful and beutiful SUV. Good job Volvo. Gas MPG is much better than those other very High end SUVs. It is a keeper..

• 

  WAY more bang for the buck... - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Brian - March 12 - 3:40 am

  I use this primarily as an "airport" car so I wasnt looking to make an emotional purchase. I wanted a dependable, well-made, safe sedan that offered a warranty at least as long as my 48-month lease. I got a lot more than I bargained for with the S40 Its very rewarding to drive-- solid, smooth, and responsive enough with the 5 speed manual to have plenty of freeway acceleration. This car feels like it could be driven over 100MPH all day long without breaking a sweat. Fantastic interior with a very smart center control console. So much more car for the money than the Camry, Mazda 6, and Honda Civic I shopped it against. Would recommend to anyone. Great car, period!