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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  great car - 2004 Volvo V70
  By basil - October 13 - 10:00 am

  i drove this car daily to work and use it to haul our dogs and house and yard needs and purchased. we have never had problem. recently another driver hit our car from the front and did quite a bit of damage. no one was hurt and we hardly felt the crash. the only change i would make to this car is to make the shoulder belt adjustable. for shorter people the belt hits right up against the neck.

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  Great Car! - 2003 Volvo S60
  By Ldolph - October 13 - 10:00 am

  Got the S60ASR six months and 10K miles ago. Loved everyminute of it. I do lots of highway driving for my job and its a pleasure to cruise in. Quiet cabin, great standard sound system, plenty of get-up-and-go power. Love the distinctive styling. Ive had a ton of compliments - "Thats a VOLVO??--COOL!"

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  Secondhand C70 - 2007 Volvo C70
  By Darren - October 12 - 3:56 pm

  On drive home from out of state, I got 30mpg with cruise control, even in strong wind. Overall, I average about 21-22mpg in mixed driving, which is not great, but for a heavy turbocharged car with wide tires, its not bad. The top takes longer to retract/raise than other convertibles, but there is none that looks nearly as good while doing it. Plenty of power out of just 2.5 liter, gobs of torque so minimal downshifting even in mountains. Premium package included Dynaudio stereo, which has extraordinary fidelity at all volume levels.

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  Solid Ride. - 2009 Volvo S60
  By Choc - October 12 - 1:30 pm

  This is my second car from Sweden. I love the exterior styling, its beautiful but not flashy. The car drives very good, you have the press the gas paddle a little more than other cars but I guess they made it that way for safety. Volvo did a good job on the interior fit and finish. Although the dash is a little last century on the look, but all the bottoms are well laid out and easy to use. Good mileage per gallon thanks to the turbo.

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  Pre-owned S60 with 31,000 miles - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Lincoln224 - October 12 - 12:40 am

  I bought this car in Honolulu, HI with 31,000 miles. I love the Lunar gold paint and the tinted windows. The AWD seems heavy and solid throughout the suspension, the acceleration is OK, the turbo seems to suddenly kick in and push me back into my seat.

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  Awesome - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By Bob - October 11 - 10:00 am

  Picked up the new XC60 last week. Have taken on one road trip and surprised to show 25.3 mpg on interstate. Smooth ride, quick front end, handles like a sports car.

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  Lives up to safety reputation. - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Kristi - October 9 - 8:56 am

  I loved this car from the moment I bought it. It drives smooth, fast and is gorgeous. I also recently experienced first hand how safe this car is. My husband and I walked away from a fairly serious accident, with only a bruise apiece. The front end was destroyed and still the doors opened just as easy as the first day I touched it. Unfortunately this car was totaled, but Ill be visiting my dealer very soon for a new one. Ill never buy anything else again.

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  Great car - 2008 Volvo XC70
  By Shoop - October 8 - 12:15 pm

  Loved this car. Had it for 8 years. Still running well at 170k and going. Reading the reviews about leak of power in this engine- dont agree!!! Excellent engine, nice and smooth. Girlfriend loves it too! T6 much noisier. Volvo should continue 3.2L engine.

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  Volvo V8 Roar - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By KD - October 8 - 10:36 am

  Excellent, well built AWD SUV Fun to drive and solid performance for an SUV, superior handling in Hwy speeds 65mph and over. Steering Feels very light in city driving and for speeds below 50mph. A slight disapointment after a few hours driving in the Texas Freeways coming into the city traffic. Smooth roaring of V8 (audible from Drivers side only)provides constant re assurance of a serious power plant under the hood able for 311 hp.

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  Sweeeet! - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By denise - October 8 - 9:06 am

  This is one of the most comfortable, reliable and consistent vhicles which I have ever owened. I would buy it all over again. I wish they made a more fuel efficient model, or perhaps a hybrid as I have a lot of highway miles. I truly feel my family is safest in this car. The rear third row seats are tight, but I use them for my kids. It gives lots of options when we travel great distances, which we do each summer. The car is great for formals as well! Todays weather-it flooded, and there were cars stalled allover; me, I was crusin along, touring the country side with great ease. Suggestion; always get the extra warranty protection! luv my ride!