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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  Love it - 2006 Volvo S40
  By FL driver - February 28 - 1:20 am

  A great ride overall, but lack of solution for ipod connectivity is very frustrating. Still recommend as a great value and a fun/sporty ride.

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  safe - 2005 Volvo S40
  By ANGELO - February 26 - 10:56 pm

  hard down-shift from 3rd to 2nd automatic. expensive maintenance

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  Better than my A4 - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Frankie76 - February 26 - 4:03 am

  If you going to buy an S40, go with the turbo. This model has a much better performance than the 2.41 engine. I had an 03 A4 1.8. which I traded for the S40. I have not looked back!! From quality to performance and of course safety, it beats my Audi in all categories. I first drove this car as a company car, leased 2004.5 2.4i. I recently turned it back as I had put 40,000 miles. That car had absolutely no problems. Other than the scheduled maint.

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  Excellent Choice - 2004 Volvo S60
  By vroomman - February 25 - 2:00 am

  All the waiting and debating ... Its finally mine The automatic is quick ... the sound system is amazing and the interior puts a smile on my face. I will recommend this car to anyone ... hats off to Volvo for creating such a dynamic vehicle at such a reasonable price.

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  Great llittle SUV....I stress little - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By bhelgesen - February 25 - 1:48 am

  Overall, this car is a pleasure to drive. With the T6 and AWD it can be a blast. This is my wifes car and she drives it like a soccer mom but when I run out in it, it becomes an animal and is worthy of any road or traffic condition. We came out of two minivans so maybe my expectations were low. For what its worth, we put our 18 yr old in a 10 year old s40 for safety.

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  disapointed - 2002 Volvo S40
  By Issa - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Having no previous experience in leasing I have been talked into a lease at $ 369/month for four years and 2000 down. Comparing it to $299/month that someone else on this list is getting it seems very high. Have I been taken? Also the ride is very tough : feels like grinding the texture of the road. On highway I feel like jumping up and down as if in a toy car. Nothing like the smooth ride on my old Honda Accord.

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  Troublesome S90 - 1999 Volvo S80
  By PDA - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Serious problem with fuel door that no one can seem to repair. Even with winter package handles poorly in the snow. Power doors and windows were a problem from day one that no one can seem to resolve. My second Volvo and I can only get $1500 rebate if I get lease another one. BMW dealer her I come

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  Best convertible for the money - 2008 Volvo C70
  By LovethisCar - February 22 - 4:23 pm

  I looked at all the convertibles. This car is $10,000 less than the BMW 335i but has much better safety,rear leg room, and I think exterior styling. The engine is smaller than the BMW but is more than adequate for driving anywhere but the autobaun. I have had strangers come up and ask me to put the top up or down. It turns heads in parking lots. This is pure fun and large enough to truly seat 4 people.I get 19-20 MPG around town.

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  THE MOST AWSOME CAR - 2006 Volvo S40
  By Jeff - February 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car brand new, and have found it to be the car that spoils me. I love this car soo much that I made it my garage queen, she is polished and stored. We take her out on vacations and long trips. She is our total luxary/sport car. THANK YOU VOLVO!!

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  Best year for Volvo - 1998 Volvo S70
  By Drew - February 21 - 7:13 pm

  I was lucky enough to find my 98 S70 T5 with the manual transmission and low mileage on ebay. I gave it a full stage zero (full maintenance) and was rewarded with a very quick, reliable, handsome sweedish hotrod. In 98, a stock T5 would outrun a mustang GT and with a few mods, would run with the cobra. Ive got a boost controller, exhaust, coilover suspension and new intercooler and this puppy FLIES. Outran an 05 mustang GT at the track. 13.71 1/4 mile. Aside from the usual 100K repairs like tbelt, water pump, iginition and a motor mount, zero problems and avg 25 mpg. Cant beat that. Oh and only use 91~93 octane if you have a GLT or T5. Manual transmission is nearly indestructible.