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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  2003 V70 2.4 Turbo - 2003 Volvo V70
  By Not Bad - September 17 - 3:23 am

  Oh my. This is my third Volvo. For a 50 ton wagon it is tight. 207HP stock, in dash phone plus all the goodies. Top speed reported at 125 plus easy. Comfort 10+ Highway zip 10+ Love it.

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  SUV to Strongly Consider - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Xopher_02467 - September 16 - 6:23 am

  Weve looked at every mid to large sized SUV over the last couple of years, waiting for one to come along that was extraordinarily safe; of high quality design and build; and with three rows of seats. The XC90 fits the bill perfectly. The 3rd row is usable by almost everyone - kid and adults alike, and when stored the cargo area is large. The SUV drives like a car, and you feel completely in control at all times, even during our nasty winter weather. All in all probably my favorite car Ive ever owned.

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  Superior - 2003 Volvo V40
  By Paul van der Thujs - September 15 - 2:00 am

  While VOLVOs are not known as fun or quick cars, this is a real surprise.

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  Short of Expectations - 2000 Volvo S40
  By Clay Bittner - September 15 - 2:00 am

  I thought when buying the S40 that I was stepping up to a luxury automobile that would cross over into the service provided etc. I definitely thought wrong. The buying and service experience I had with my second car (an Infiniti) was far more enjoyable than the Volvo experience. Owning my Volvo was a similar experience to my experiences owning a Honda which is not what I thought I was getting into. Probably will not own or lease another Volvo. Looking back I should have gone for the Infiniti G20 instead although the car has been "OK".

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  a great car - 1999 Volvo S80
  By sfiehrer - September 15 - 2:00 am

  This car has been trouble free and fun to drive for the past 4+ years. It is my 3rd Volvo over the past 14 years (had a 240 and a 740) and I intend to stay with Volvo as long as they make great cars with innovative safety features. The styling is sporty too! The only repairs I have had so far are new tires.

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  Family delight - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By Dhabi - September 15 - 2:00 am

  - a pleasure to drive; easy, silent and smooth. - a comprehensive large family car offering great room and outstanding safety. - remarkable power when pulling a heavy load (boat or trailor). - feels solid but not heavy to drive. - I am committed to car makers who are committed to sustainability in design and demonstrate an awareness of passenger, pedestrian and other road users personal safety and security in their design. - I have confidence in the history of the marque.

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  No regrets! - 2001 Volvo V70
  By italophile - September 15 - 2:00 am

  We purchased this car used. It had 6K miles on it, and had been used as a rental. We bought it at significant savings, and because it had been used for part of the year, we were able to get the "extended warranty" for certified used cars. We have never had to invoke any warranty repair. The car has performed beautifully. The mileage is impressive for such a large car. Plenty of pick up to be had without the Turbo. Having previously driven a compact car, I can tell you I had no trouble adjusting to this one. It is easy to maneuver.

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  Great Car - 2001 Volvo S60
  By das2ski - September 15 - 2:00 am

  I have been very happy with the performance and reliability of this car! Very comfertable for long drives and sporty enough for fun on the back roads. I always get two positive comments from passengers. "These seats are amazing" and "this thing takes off!!!"

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  Great Little Wagon - 2006 Volvo V50
  By jjholmgr - September 14 - 5:36 pm

  Worth a look if you need a flexible vehicle for a small family. Power is solid even with auto although doesnt "feel" as quick as I expected. Seats are super comfortable. New cloth/suede material is very nice and seems to be more durable than old Volvo cloth/vinyl interiors. Gas tank is a little small compared to other Volvos but we average 27 mpg in mixed driving, best was 30. We already have snow on the ground and the DTSC keeps it sure footed even without AWD--Im not convinced it is worth the extra plus you loss mpg.

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  Safety/ Quality issues - 2009 Volvo C30
  By Humble77338 - September 14 - 12:36 am

  Ive had a Volvo for 5 yrs so I thought a C30 was the way to go when replacing my other car. Oh was I wrong. In the 1st 200 miles, my passenger air bag was not working (pregnant wife refuses to ride in my new car now). The service depat. told me that they couldnt fit it in on a Saturday...too many more important oil changes I suppose.The dealer kept it for 3 days, and now the problem seems to have resolved itself. This morning (mile 500) I have an oil leak under my car. Im seeing that quality and safety are no longer top priorities with Volvo. Time to take it back again...more time off from work. Wish they would give me back my working trade-in so I could go elsewhere.