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:

• 

  Strongly recommend - 2004 Volvo S80
  By John Blaze - November 13 - 2:00 am

  Overall this car has been a pleasure to drive, and has made me feel much more comfortable about driving on the road with the fleet of SUV tanks. The inside is comfortable and spacious, and the seats are soft and luxurious. The S80 has a super smooth ride, and handles like a sports car, so I get a good feel for the road. Its lines are sharp and it has a more unique look than other luxury cars. The two biggest problems I have are the acceleration and the side view mirrors. You need to exert too much pressure on the gas pedal to move the car from a stand-stil. The side view mirrors are a joke, they are so small.

• 

  Excellent sports wagon~! - 2001 Volvo V40
  By SoJung & Michael - November 12 - 10:00 am

  The Volvo V40 sports wagon is an incredible package that looks great, runs smooth, and handles all the twistie curves which performance driving demands. The interior is comfortable for both driver and front passenger. The rear seats are adequate. Cargo area has safety net, variable belt fixtures and cover for hiding cargo. And of course it is Volvo safe to protect your most precious cargo, YOU and your loved ones.

• 

  Our Best Car Ever! - 1998 Volvo V70
  By BKM - November 12 - 10:00 am

  My family purchased a used 1998 V70 XC Wagon and we have absolutely no complaints. The ride is phenominal, especially in snow. Aside from oil changes, we have yet to visit the repair shop. This is our second Volvo wagon (last one was a 94 850). If youre looking for a versatile, powerful, sporty vehicle, youll like the V70 XC.

• 

  30,000 mile review - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By North Bay - November 12 - 9:05 am

  Just completed 30,000 miles. Despite a couple of electronic glitches, coupled with 2 recall notices, all of which were resolved during the normal 10,000 mile service intervals, I have to say that I am highly impressed with this vehicle . Bought from new and added every available option aside from the air-assist suspension and to be honest, the ride is fine. Quality of interior materials is top-notch. Not the most technically savvy individual though still managed to work out the majority of the screen based functionality within a couple of hours. Bottom line is that this is well built, stylish SUV that provides an amazing level of comfort combined with a strong sense of safety due to the numerous features that you would expect from a Volvo. In addition, with the rear seats down there is a serious amount of storage capacity, though should you be looking for a seven seater, the XC90 can accommodate without individuals having dislocate limbs to fit in the back seats.

• 

  XC 90 update - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By LHeineken - November 11 - 1:36 am

  Extremely comfortable to drive. Outstanding highway performance. Very reliable to date.Many passers-by cant identify the make of this car. They most often ask, "what is it?".

• 

  First Small Hatchback Followup - 2008 Volvo C30
  By lgibsonjr - November 10 - 3:43 am

  I purchased my C30 in December and after 9 months I wanted to provide a followup to my first review. Im still impressed with its performance, handling, and overall feel. More than a few times Ive needed the quick acceleration and my C30 has delivered without fail. Almost all my miles are city and zip around with a fairly heavy foot so Ive been getting around 20 mpg. Im sure I could get better if I were more conservative but thats not my style. If I had it to do over again would I buy the Volvo C30? Yes indeed.

• 

  Great Car Joy to Drive - 2011 Volvo S60
  By volvoowner2 - November 9 - 5:57 am

  Been driving s60 2011 t6 for 2 months now. Great Car, really fun to drive Acceleration is awesome (thought about getting audi a5 but acceleration was weak, although great looking car). Able to blow past at almost any speed. the increase width and weight contributes to the feeling like you are hugging the road, very stable. Seat are super comfy/sporty - scandinavian thing. The onboard system pick up my iphone as soon as I get in the car - so my ipod play instanly over head. Stereo system is very high quality and sounds greatNice having rear seats drop down to give more space from the trunk. tereo system sounds amazing

• 

  The 2005 Volvo V50 is a Fin Car - 2005 Volvo V50
  By dan anderson - November 7 - 11:13 pm

  I have a family of four plus two dogs. We are stationed in Germany and tour Europe frequently. So far, this car has been perfect. We can load the entire family into it and travel anywhere in comfort and with good gas milage. Gas costs around 1.50 Euro per liter and with 3.8 liters to the gallon you need good gas mileage. On the autobahn this car gets to 120 MPH with out a problem can go much faster!!!!! It makes my BMW 525i look stupid on the twists and the autobahn. It is a good car i would by and I would definitely buy another.

• 

  S60R Demands Respect - 2004 Volvo S60
  By D., Kleronomos - November 7 - 10:00 am

  In recent years I have owned a BMW M3, Audi S4 and the Volvo S60R. This car can run with the best. The seats are Lazy Boy comfortable. The adjustable suspension lets you go from easy driving to hard sport driving with the push of a button. If you want to push this car, it will really go. The only complaints I have are the pedal location (gas and brake pedal are too close together for a size 11.5 shoe), some minor turbo lag, and the lack of a quality cup holder for your morning coffee. It is not as sporty as either the M3 or S4, but it has more room and daily driveability. I am very happy with my purchase.

• 

  BEST PICK CAR OF 2004 - 2004 Volvo S40
  By Robert Molinar - November 7 - 10:00 am

  I have recently purchased my 2004.5 Volvo T5 and it was the best choice I could have made. This car amazes me everyday I insert the nifty key fob and start that 2.5L turbo engine. I would and have recommended this car to many other people and ones that have had the chance to drive mine have said they would DEFINATELY consider buying a volvo for their next car.