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:

• 

  solid car - 2005 Volvo S40
  By jspagna - September 20 - 10:00 am

  sporty and responsive vehicle, first volvo purchase and impressed with safety features. visability somewhat limited but otherwise a pleasure to drive

• 

  fun - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Stu - September 20 - 1:06 am

  The last two years of ownership were a joy. Great power, excellent design and workmenship similar to Japanese products.

• 

  VOLVO XC90 2.5 T - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Perc1010 - September 18 - 2:00 am

  I just got the XC90 about a weeks ago and its such a great car. The interior and exterior design is phenomenal. All my friends at school are very impressed with it. So I guess Volvo can appeal to a younger crowd.

• 

  Just a great car to own - 2005 Volvo S80
  By nickosmith - September 16 - 11:19 pm

  I have owned this car for just over 3 years ..and i must say i am loving each and every bit of it. This is my 1st Volvo and i did a lot of research and found that 2005 or 2006 S80 were the best compare to older years. I never had any problems because i have maintained it well. If you are looking for older design S80, then got for 2005 or 2006 year model. i always wanted a Volvo with turbo and i was going for S60 but i found same price and bit higher mileage an S80, and had more leg room and some neat options. And i was glad i made that decision. These cars are built solid and feel firm on road. And good mpg considering its size. I guess its a small engine with turbo.

• 

  great entry Volvo - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Lisa - September 13 - 10:06 am

  My husband and I test drove a nissan altima as well as the volvo s40 we purchased. It was an easy decision, only thing the altmia had over the volvo was more leg room for rear seating. Volvo S40 is a solid car and a fun car to drive. It was like going from the Motel 6 to the Omni.

• 

  Va-va voom Volvo - 1997 Volvo 960
  By Beauregard - September 12 - 10:00 am

  The lines are sleek, yet classic Volvo, and the cargo space is incredibly long and wide. The seats are so comfortable -- the lumbar support is great. And the "winged" sides envelope you. Our wagon is red with tan seats and it is bright ride; easy to see in parking lots and on the road, and the inside is sunny and warm. The turning radius is super useful and the power is great. At 197 horses, its pretty average, but when you punch it, it responds really well. The AC/Heater responds quickly too. The sound system is OK, but the integrated antennae in the back window just isnt up to snuff. Overall, this car is wonderful and Id buy it again.

• 

  oh so sweet! - 1999 Volvo S80
  By pcp - September 12 - 10:00 am

  Bought the S80 in the US, picked it up in Paris. Saved thousands of dollars, drove it all over France (over 90 mph on the highways!), and had it shipped back to the States for free. This model has been free of problems

• 

  Better Than The S60 - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By madwood - September 12 - 10:00 am

  I drove the S-60 for the past two years, and how it handled the road. Only problem was no room for three kids in the back. The XC-90 takes care of that, and more. It handles very similar to the S-60, has a ton more room, and is more fun to drive (I can still zip around town & between slow traffic). The highway ride is considerably better, and quieter, than the S-60. I do have the 18" wheels, and had 17" on the S-60. My wife has a 2001 Suburban - loaded. She wants my XC-90, but I wont let her have it. Im moving car seats when the family goes out, so I dont have to drive the TANK. If you get one, youll love it.

• 

  What a fun car to drive !!! - 2003 Volvo S60
  By Simon Lee - September 12 - 10:00 am

  Very strong and safe car.

• 

  Great Value - 2010 Volvo XC90
  By Poppy - September 11 - 1:46 pm

  Looked at ML350, Q5, MDX, RX350 and X5. This vehicle was head and shoulders above the ML350. Each of the others had its strong points; but my wife chose the XC90 because she liked it best (it had the best overall visibility). Weve had it for almost 4 months now and have had absolutely no problems. The fuel mileage is lousy; but competitive with most of the others--14 in town and 21 on the road. It does use regular while the others require premium. The fact that the XC-90 is the least expensive of the bunch is real bonus.