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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  Wow...and we thought the XC 70 was great! - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By rd940 - January 19 - 1:48 pm

  We took our XC 70 in for service and while waiting decided to test drive the XC 60...wow what a vehicle! Needless to say, the XC 60 came home with us. The XC 60 is a little smaller than the XC 70 but not enough to make a difference. Now after 500 miles we can honestly say that we are completely pleased with its styling, engine performance, handling, refinement overall fit and finish. Ours had a sticker price of $42,700 and we paid $38,600. (Includes the $1000 owner loyalty discount and the Costco discount) With a mixture of highway and city driving we are getting 20 MPG.

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  Thanks Costco - 2008 Volvo C70
  By Thanks CostCo - January 18 - 6:56 pm

  Just bought my C70 through the special deal Costco and Volvo have. Great deal on a fun to drive car. This car turns heads! Love the roof, the dynaudio and the back up warning since the rear view is somewhat limited. Has a decent sized trunk versus the Beemer 335 which a trunk the size of a shoe box. If you are a Costco member you cant go wrong on this one. I cant wipe the smile off my face.

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  Best Car in its Class! - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Amyhasfun - January 18 - 10:00 am

  Our BMW was totalled and we had to find a new car fast. We researched everything! We picked up an S80 T6 and let me say this, we couldnt be any happier! We paid close to $50,000 with the taxes. This car has been such a joy. The car did have an initial problem with a sensor but the dealer upgraded the software in the car and from that point it has never had any type of service aside from regular maintenance. It now has 74,000 miles and runs like it did off the showroom floor. They do it for free! I will never go back to BMW after owning the S80. Drive a T6 to see how nice these things are. You will be so happy with this car.

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  22k miles on my XC90 and I still love it - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By SWilhelm - January 18 - 7:56 am

  City driving,highways or rural dirt roads have yet to defeat my car.My XC is usually moms taxi but when the kids are at school I still love to take it for long runs down winding country roads. It may never match hi-performance cars Ive driven but its still quick enough and certainly handles very well.The low pressure turbo kicks in to make even highway merging stress free. True 4WD if needed.It has yet to be stranded even in deep MI snows.W mode makes for safe handling for us even on the icy roads. Those Ive met that REALLY own one,love it. The dealership has performed as well as my car has. Volvo has been good 2 us. For those who like a car but need something bigger it fits.A keeper.

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  consumer rating - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Michele McArdle - January 16 - 3:03 am

  This car is so much fun to drive and I feel very, very safe in it. Cargo capacity is great and I find Im grateful for the space more often than I anticipated. Just wish the gas mileage was better.

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  Best value for luxury CUV - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Jay Kim - January 14 - 3:40 am

  I got a T6 model with comfort, climate and technology package and we love it. Before the purchase, my wife and I thoroughly researched and test drove other competitors. At the end, my we narrowed our choice down to RX, Q5 and XC60. We liked Q5 the best in terms of driving dynamic, followed by XC60 and dreadful RX, but Volvo won us over in interior/exterior design, utility and value. RX had great interior, technology features and excellent fit and finish, but totally uninspired exterior design and driving characteristics. Our biggest concern for getting a Volvo was reliability issue, but we got convinced by Volvos safe and sound program that provides 5 years of warranty and free maintenance.

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  great wagon - 2003 Volvo V70
  By Jaltmann - January 13 - 10:00 am

  Wife loves it. She bought it and actually enjoys driving to work every day.

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  Volvo Owner - 2000 Volvo S40
  By Ron Laub - January 13 - 10:00 am

  I have had a few maintenance problems but overall very satisfied. Worked with Volvo of the Triad in Winston- Salem, NC and Volvo of Dallas in Carrollton, TX. The sales people (Trey) at Volvo of the Triad were great to work with. Totally opposite the dealership in Greensboro (Crown). Have referred my brother and two friends to Volvo of the Trid and they both bought Volvos there. Most of my service work has been with Volvo of Dallas and the shop supervisor (Aldo) is the best.

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  No longer driving an SUV - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By mhldca - January 13 - 10:00 am

  Very nice creature comforts for the little ones and Mom, great handling and power with the LP turbo for Dad. Mom likes the extra room the wagon has for the dog and groceries on the beach weekends, and the last Volvo a family member owned lasted 350K miles.

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  great value compared to BMW - 2006 Volvo S60
  By mick - January 11 - 11:00 am

  I have a 2005 S60 T5 (manual)...performancewise the S60 2.5T and T5 are a lot of car for the money...the worlds most comfortable seats and built like a tank with a lot of get up and go....if you are looking at a BMW 330 or ACura TL this Volvo is a much better value...