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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  Amazing Car - 2004 Volvo S40
  By jwarman - February 1 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this car for about a month and a half and I love it. The performace is outstanding and easily outclasses the competition in the price range. The styling is great, it looks nothing like the Volvos of old. Also the gas milage is great given this is a high performace car. Volvo has definitely built a winner of a car and attracted a new audience.

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  WOW! I LOVE THIS CAR! - 2004 Volvo S40
  By Heather Ammon - February 1 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my S40 for less than a week and I love it! It handles like a dream and the interior is very luxurious! I love the leather and the wood inlay. The floating console is really cool too! Mine is mistral green metalic and I love that too. At first I doubted getting the color because my last few cars were green, but this color is beautiful and it looks great in the sun. The sports package is great. I drove both the 2.4i and the T5 and the acceleration was negligable to me, so I didnt feel it was worth the extra money to get the T5. This car is definately worth every penny. The competition better watch out for this car!

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  love my new car - 2004 Volvo S40
  By gopanthers - February 1 - 10:00 am

  I didnt get the turbo because I didnt need the extra speed. So far I love the new body style and I feel very safe in it. Its a safe car which looks classy yet doesnt look like an older persons car. The service at Warren Henry in Miami was amazing and they beat out the best price any where else. Its a car that I can invision placing my future kids in and yet not make me feel like I had to sacrifice a youthful car.

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  A Swedish Love Affair - 2004 Volvo V70
  By DFWRealtor - February 1 - 10:00 am

  This has been a great car. It delivers a perfect balance of practicality with sporty appearance and is fun to drive. A big thumbs up!

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  Fabulous Car - 2004 Volvo C70
  By Esther Rothenberg - February 1 - 10:00 am

  From the asthetic point of view it is a gorgeous car. The interior is luxurious and the seats can be adjusted so that you feel that you have become one with the car. There is plenty of leg room as well as more room for additional passengers. The ride is a smooth one and you will notice alot of people looking in your direction. Also I have been stopped by people inquiring about the car. I rave. The sound system is spectacular and you always feel safe driving a Volvo.

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  really no problems - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By cj - January 31 - 3:03 am

  excellent suv -- was initially concerned regarding some of the negative press that the xc90 received when it was first released; then, in talking with the salespeople, realized that majority of probs were engine related from the t6 which is no longer available. have had only one prob -- when driving the car at highway speeds, i heard a noise that i can only describle as a sirens scream. did some research, found out it likely was coming from the roof rack -- brought it in, fixed in 30 min. no other probs. ife, for whom car was for, loves it -- very solid drive.

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  Love it! - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Charleskr - January 31 - 1:00 am

  Safe, stylish and peppy! High quality, very attractive, performs well--it can walk with any kid in a chevy while providing high class safety and comfort! This is a winner!! Owners are invited to a driving school, where you begin to find out just what this vehicle can really do!!

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  S40 & the Europan Delivery Program:BINGO - 2006 Volvo S40
  By Martin - January 28 - 6:00 pm

  After getting my car in Gothenburg, Sweden at the Volvo facilities, we discover Norway (the fjords & the mountain roads: Snow tempest in June !!!) and Southern Sweden. 3100 miles of Fun driving and beautiful scenic views. To test a new car, there is no such road in America. The T5 is fantastic, more power than I can expect, even the Base T5 you got plenty of equipment. It’s a perfect car for couple, very good with 2 children, but maybe a little tight with 4 adults. I love my Passion Red S40 T5 and people look at it, even in Sweden (where 1/3 cars are Volvo!). Volvo European Delivery Program: Fantastic Program, Fantastic Car, Fantastic Trip !!!

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  Great car. Would like more room. - 2003 Volvo V40
  By DBK - January 28 - 2:50 pm

  I really love this car. It handles beautifully. The safety components (that are standard on all Volvos are very rare on other cars. Great heating/ac system and thermostat. Had some problems with the back latch. Other than that, the car has been reliable and very enjoyable to drive.

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  Love this car! - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Linda Sinclair - January 28 - 4:18 am

  I bought my car brand new in August 2003. It has 177K miles on it. Other than a tiny parking lot door ding on one side, which I will have a mobile dent guy repair, and a bit of wear on the door side of the drivers leather seat, the car still looks like new when its just had a good wash. I have followed the manufacturers maintenance schedule during the almost 12 years of ownership, except I now get regular maintenance every 5K miles instead of every 7500 miles. I plan to keep driving this car until it simply will not go any longer, which I am hoping wont be for another few hundred thousand miles.