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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  2 years later - 2008 Volvo C30
  By lgibsonjr - February 27 - 2:10 am

  I purchased my C30 new in December 2007. Over two years later I still love this car. If it werent for routine maintenance I wouldnt know how well the service department at my Volvo dealer operates. My C30 still delivers in the city and on the highway. Im 49 years old, have had alot of cars, but this has to rate as my best yet.

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  T6 AWD Rocks! - 2013 Volvo XC70
  By greaves - February 25 - 3:05 am

  Got this car to replace my 2006 Highlander. What a difference. Great power, comfort and quality. Drove the car on a 4000 mile vacation and averaged 23.6MPG-much better than I had expected. The comfort of the front seats is exceptional. I like the understated design of the car. Friends and family were surprised by my purchase but once they rode in the car they were bowled over. I feel very secure in the car at high speeds.

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  Love My Swedish Souvenir - 2003 Volvo V40
  By Reina - February 24 - 10:00 am

  My car has been great so far! Its a smooth, comfortable ride thats nicely equipped and offers good fuel economy-- especially highway. Cozy drivers seat too. And at $24K (including the Premium Package, Climate Package and a week-long trip to Sweden and London) the deal through the OVERSEAS DELIVERY program was beyond fair--and a fun experience!

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  C30 T5 R-Design WOW - 2009 Volvo C30
  By SAAB 9-2X owner - February 23 - 11:03 pm

  I currently own and drive an 05 SAAB 9-2X Aero loaded with everything sport & winter packages etc. etc. I test drove a fully loaded C30 T5 R-Design last Friday. It was similar to my SAAB-aru in handling and quickness but has a quieter ride and with more safety features. I was very impressed with everything about this car. I especially liked the six speed manual trans.

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  Nice compact car - 2006 Volvo S40
  By Warrior - February 23 - 2:40 am

  Well balanced car, Nice interiors, Silent cabin for this compact segment. A lot of security features for the money. 2.4i need more power. Suggest T5 for power busters.

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  A nice alternative to the snobmobiles - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By myob - February 22 - 10:01 pm

  Cross shopped with BMW X5 and considered others. The Volvo won because it combined good styling(inside and out), good handling for a crossover, great (prob the best in class) safety, a 5 year warranty with free service, and finally, a quality dealership experience that was close by. If you can swing it, I definitely recommend the T6 version with the 300hp, 325 lb torque turbo inline 6 engine. It is buttery smooth, has no real turbo lag.Much better power delivery than a similar hp Infiniti engine, with a lot less vibration and noise. We got the R design version for the tighter handling and steering, plus the design elements which make the car look better. It handles quite well.

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  Great car, so far - 2007 Volvo C70
  By rschleicher - February 22 - 2:06 pm

  Its only been a month or so, but my wife and I love our new C70. Great styling and design, great build quality, and zero initial problems. Sure the engine power is not earth- shaking, but its plenty adequate. The car handles well, brakes well, looks great, and has lots of distinctive touches. Retractable top is great, the Dynaudio sound is top-of-the-line, and you wont see yourself coming and going, due to the limited volume being built. It truly is two cars in one, and looks as good with the top up as down. Its not an all-out sports car, but rather its a heck of a stylish, fun, top up/down touring car. That said, it wont be embarrassed in the twisties. Oh yeah - its safe, too.

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  Best decision - 1999 Volvo V70
  By FF6M - February 20 - 4:10 pm

  I bought my V70 a few months ago for a really good price, and I love it. It has some minor issues like the passenger side windows only going up from the driver control, but its not a big deal. I drove it from Florida to New York, loaded with everything I own, and the trip went really well, but it stopped starting a day or two after I got home. Apparently the problem lies with spark plugs, and I have no idea how old they are, so really nothing is wrong. My handling wasnt too great on the trip but I attribute that to carrying about 700 pounds of cargo in the back. Its usually great. It runs great, and its very comfortable. It can carry a ton of stuff.

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  15K miles and lovin it! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Mike McNutt - February 18 - 2:00 am

  We have put 15K miles and like the quietness of interior, comfort, good acceleration for passing, great sound. My wife wanted navigation system, I didnt, but now I love it. Had a problem with brakes, not a safety problem, light said "needs service", it took four trips to get it solved.

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  The more I drive it, the more I love it! - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By Kevin - February 15 - 2:00 am

  First crossover. Needed more space. Went to this from a 3-series BMW sedan. Test drove all competitors. Handling is terrific. Acceleration is outstanding, with best low end torque of anything Ive previously owned. Turbo is very smooth. Interior is comfortable and well organized. Great soundsystem. Bluetooth works great. Love the BLIS. Luckily havent had to test the city safety yet. Love the exterior. Its a looker. Better gas mileage than others have experienced but not a sipper. Regular unleaded use, a plus.