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:

• 

  V70 R a wolf in sheeps clothing - 2005 Volvo V70
  By sthpcfc - August 6 - 10:00 am

  What can be said that probably hasnt been said before by Volvo owners of the V70 R wagon? This car is awsome! I still cant get over the acceleration.The power kicks in so quickly and seems endless,though a touch of turbo lag from a standing start but thats easily forgotten, just as much as it is easy to forget your doing well over the speed limit. But thats what this car is all about, breaking the traditional rules of what a wagon should be in both power, comfort and most important of all safety . Forget those ugly looking SUVs whose days are numbered and look more closely at the V70 R wagon for your next purchase. Like me you will be pleasantly surprised by this car. Well done Volvo.

• 

  Scandinavian test drive - 2017 Volvo XC90
  By Mark - August 4 - 8:01 am

  We picked up our XC90 in Gothenburg, Sweden. Volvo flew us over and back, picked us up at the airport, put us into a nice hotel, and provided a three course meal the day we arrived. After taking us to the factory , we met our new car. Our advisor went over the car with us. After a short test drive we had a Swedish meatball lunch followed by a factory tour. An amazing experience! We have had the car for a year now. It has been reliable with no mechanical issues. Using battery power for regular work commuting and hybrid mode for everything else I’m getting about 40 mpg. It flies effortlessly through out Colorado Mountains. Getting into the car at the end of a day of work is like a cocoon that just comfortably wraps around me. I find the Sensus touch screen easy to use and intuitive

• 

  great car - 2003 Volvo S60
  By redrider1121 - August 3 - 2:00 am

  great looking and driving car,love the quality of interior for money paid.

• 

  Great Automobile - 2008 Volvo V70
  By Wally - August 1 - 5:36 am

  A lot of fun to drive. Great handling. Excellent braking. Beautiful interior - very comfortable. This is my 7th Volvo and Im not disappointed. Very classy exterior styling. With freeway driving Im getting between 27 and 30.5 mpg.

• 

  I love this car!!! - 2007 Volvo S80
  By love my volvo - July 31 - 12:43 pm

  After driving an SUV, I was looking for a great sedan that could still transport the family and all of our stuff. This is truly a luxury vehicle and I love it! I plan to keep this vehicle for 200,000 miles!

• 

  Best Volvo yet - 2004 Volvo S80
  By camaro1781 - July 30 - 5:40 pm

  My 2004 T-6 is the fifth Volvo I have owned in the past 15 years. Previous versions are the 240,760 Turbo, S70, and a 2002 S-80. The 2004 is clearly the best Volvo and the best car Ive owned to date. I bought it with 33/k miles and I currently have 82/k on the car. It looks great and handles very well in all the conditions that Minnesota can throw at a car.

• 

  6 time Volvo owner - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Bob - July 29 - 10:46 pm

  Exceptionally comfortable; easy to get in and out of even for people who are shorter; mechanically and cosmetically great; a real solid feel combined with great handling; does not ride or drive like a truck; eye- catching design; have had virtually no problems; combined city-highway mileage averages 19-21 mpg. Luv it!

• 

  One of my best cars yet - 2002 Volvo S40
  By cmsims - July 29 - 10:00 am

  I absolutely love this car! Ive had it for a year now and have had absolutely no problems with it at all (a rarity when working out the kinks of many other new cars). As with all the other Volvos Ive had, Ive already had the privilege (sarcasm) of finding out that the thing holds up like a tank in accidents. My friends all love it as well - its peppy and has great acceleration - my only real problem is that half the time Im handing over the keys to someone else who wants to take it for a ride!

• 

  My new Volvo T6 AWD - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By trixie - July 29 - 10:00 am

  I have only had my Volvo XC 90 for 3 weeks but so far love it. I did a lot of research before deciding on this vehicle. I love it because I have 3 young children and needed a vehicle with a third row, but did not want a minivan or a truck. The Volvo drives the most like a car(compared to others I tested), and still functions like an SUV. The second row seats are very versatile and slide forward so my kids can climb into the third row easily. It is a lot of fun to drive.

• 

  A Realistic Review - 2004 Volvo S60
  By 1st European Car - July 28 - 2:23 pm

  I bought this car looking for an AWD sedan that was good on gas, fun to drive and affordable. After a long search, I settled on the Volvo. Ive probably read over 15 editorial reviews, scoured consumer feedback, etc. on this car, and owned it for about a week now, so here is the deal. Reviewers say this car is not the most luxurious, not the fastest nor has the best design. However, it does do all of these things very well, so I think its the best value of any domestic or Euro sedan. Its extremely comfortable, fast enough and holds the road well, without the hefty price tag of a BMW or Lexus. I love this car, and received a lot of compliments in the short time Ive owned it.