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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  s80 problems - 2008 Volvo S80
  By joe - September 9 - 1:50 pm

  2008 S80 bought new. So far radiator fan, parking brakes, radio, chassis bushings, brake booster leak.

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  Great Euro Design - 2008 Volvo S40
  By Chris from NJ - September 7 - 2:03 pm

  I bought the S40 just as I was finishing college...its a great car and I am very happy with it. I went from a Toyota 4Runner(which I LOVE...if I could have both I would) and do not feel like I have lost much space. It looks and drives great and accelerates beautifully. Being 61" I need to put my chair relatively far back, limiting the space behind my chair. Therefore, if someone is sitting behind me, there is very little space. Thats my only issue.

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  misunderstood - 2004 Volvo V40
  By Danick - September 7 - 10:00 am

  North American People dont know how to appreciate a real good car!

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  Sassy and sexy for the mature woman! - 2013 Volvo C70
  By Ms. Lucy - September 7 - 7:45 am

  I purchased this vehicle because I wanted something that gave me certain feelings while driving. Safety, comfort, and dependability!!!!

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  Dont think twice - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By John - September 6 - 6:46 am

  I have owned almost every luxury SUV, incl. Lexus, Landcruiser, BMW, Mercedes, etc. This is the best for money and may be the best period. No seat this comfy & supportive!! Im hard to please, but like it mucho. Chose the T5 over T6 b/c 1" smaller wheel rim= more comfy ride. Powers fine. Price is no object for me. This is a "steal". BUY IT---DONT THINK TWICE!!

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  An excellent family car - 2006 Volvo V70
  By Christopher - September 4 - 1:43 am

  This is the first Volvo I have owned and I have never regretted buying it. The safety features offer peace of mind. The cars performance is very good and reliability is way above average. I have literally had nothing to do but scheduled maintenance + change 2 tires in 3 years. Legroom in the rear seat is cramped a bit for larger adults but teens and kids fit great. The integrated safety seats saved us about $400 because we didnt have to buy new baby seats once our boys hit 3 yrs old. I am contemplating a new XC70 now.

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  I love this car! - 2004 Volvo S60
  By LoriSF - September 1 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE this car! It not only looks great but handles fantastically. The ride is smooth and the car stays hugged to the rode when going around turns. Volvo has made great design improvements with the very elegant exterior of this car. I hope they keep this style for a long time. The seats are extremely comfortable too.

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  The Best! - 2004 Volvo C70
  By downesh - September 1 - 10:00 am

  Everything about it is great! I am constantly getting comments about how beautiful it is and what great lines it has.

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  GLs XC70 - 2007 Volvo XC70
  By EXC-2285 - August 30 - 8:53 am

  This vehicle is a great car, and saved lives twice. It always loves to get up and go and has almost been like family. They should not have redesigned for 2008. It has been through 2 5 car pile-ups, and saved my 3 friends their lives. This car is truly amazing. I would recommend Volvo to anyone looking for a life-saving vehicle.The XC70 is a beautiful legend.

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  I have driven Caddys , Alfas, Lincolns, Saabs - 2016 Volvo S60
  By s m - August 29 - 11:17 am

  I test drove Jag, Mercedes, Lexus , BMW , Caddy and quickly found out car manufactures design from the outside in where I think Volvo designs from the drivers seat out . Lets face it you spend 100 percent of your time in that seat and the passenger seat normally gets the second most use . The Volvo seat is by far the best , sound level the best , the new E drive engine blew me away . Such a sold car, drive it and you will buy it . They say the back seat is small but would not know and if it is buy the Inception it is a stretched version . I am getting over 37 miles to the gallon on the HW and around town 27 . Controls so easy to use and simple , the safest car on the road also . I am sold on Volvo