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:

• 

  Great Car - 2005 Volvo S60
  By julia - December 25 - 6:53 pm

  I commute 100 miles/day round trip to work and this car makes the drive fun. Passing on the tollway is easy and the interior is nicely designed and comfortable.

• 

  good car - 1996 Volvo 850
  By chsmpsn - December 24 - 10:00 am

  good reliable car to own

• 

  Darn near perfect - 2003 Volvo V70
  By MotoMan - December 22 - 12:06 pm

  This is almost the perfect vehicle. One or two small quality issues, but hard to top 30 mpg and luxury to boot. Handles well, leather heated seats are great, volumes of hauling capacity and very slick looking ride.

• 

  Keep on runnin - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Lifer - December 22 - 5:33 am

  Original owner, car has 160k miles. Solid reliable comfortable car. A/C is somewhat weak, have had some issue with the front end alignment. MPG overall is around 21. Plenty of cargo space, with fold down seats and roof rack, I carry all I need. After 12 years, this car runs like it did when new. Engine performance is sound, and the 168 hp five cylinder engine is very reliable. I hope to keep this car for life.

• 

  Really Cool Volvo - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By teejay - December 20 - 11:53 am

  We traded our 12-year old S70 for the XC60 3.2L. We test drove several other crossover SUVs but none felt as well built, safe, comfortable, or luxurious as the XC60. This is our 5th Volvo. The S70 had no squeaks or strange noises and still looked great. We selected the Premier and Convenience packages. This car comes with all the other features that we wanted. The ride is smooth, quiet, and comfortable. The cargo area is roomy. When you set the power seat, it includes the side-view mirror settings as well. We chose the slate interior, which is really good looking with the brushed aluminum trim. We purchased the Environmental Protection package. Will not need wax for 7 years. Cool vehicle!

• 

  World Class All-around - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Bons - December 18 - 11:06 am

  Love the car and the price. From exterior to interior design its Volvo finest product thus far. Safe, beautiful and stylish, its an inspiring vehicle.

• 

  First, & not my last, Volvo - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Outstanding - December 18 - 6:43 am

  Outstanding. The real benefit that isnt advertised with the Volvo Safety is with the new DTSC system, you dont HAVE accidents. I drove this car on a Test Track in Germany for 8 hours under all conditions and couldnt spin it out in any circumstance. It is incredible. This is my first AWD vehicle and its handling in snow and ice is better than on dry pavement with my old rear wheel drive cars.

• 

  What youd expect from Volvo - 1999 Volvo S70
  By notasweede - December 17 - 2:00 am

  very solid, reliable, and safe. experience some turbo lag at beginning of acceleration cycle. i have been in one monor accident and the car was a "rock of gibraltar"

• 

  AWESOME - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Volvoman - December 17 - 2:00 am

  Have been driving a demo model T-6 AWD for the better part of a week, and have fallen in love with every mile. More carlike ride and handling than I had wxpected and fuel mileage is decent. Am looking forward to more seat time in a 2.5T as it becomes available

• 

  Great year for a great car - 1996 Volvo 850
  By John - December 16 - 9:53 am

  This car was ahead of the curve in safety construction. The turbo really packs a punch compared to the standard GLT. It looks great and broke with the traditional Volvo look despite being rather angular in design. I wish they would come out with a comparable design now.