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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  LOVE this car! - 2005 Volvo S40
  By volvodrvr2 - July 25 - 1:52 am

  I bought this car used a year and a half ago and after much debate while searching for a car, I am still 100% in love with my S40. The "high" maintenance bills (it did need the timing belt replaced for being over 100k - $700) and "Volvo" stigma were intimidating at first, but now that Ive had the car I know it was still a solid choice. Its got all the features I wanted, gets good gas mileage and is a great looking car. 30k on it in my year and a half of ownership (now 135k) and it still runs like a champ!

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  Good Sturdy Car - 2009 Volvo S40
  By MITCHELL - July 24 - 9:00 am

  This the first Volvo I bought, Ive wanted one since I was 19 yrs old,mainly because of the safety features and durability. I get about 27/29 MPG which was about the same as my Honda Accord, which was only a 4 cyl engine. The seats are very comfortable,and the standard equip is great. I wanted a sports car, but after driving the S40 it proved to have the tight suspension that I wanted,but the comfort I needed and it had back seat in case we needed it. My husband was a Ford man and after he drove my car home, he wanted one, so 5 days later we went back and bought another one. We are very pleased so far.

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  Love my car - 2005 Volvo XC70
  By diggity - July 23 - 8:23 pm

  I traded in my 2004 explorer and would do it again in a heartbeat. The car is fun to drive and rides great. The booster seats are a big hit with my 4 year old. love the interior and exterior I love my new car.

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  Volvo c30 - 2008 Volvo C30
  By steven - July 22 - 11:16 pm

  Great car to drive. Incredibly safe. Very good engine in it, it was fast, got good mileage, received many comments about the car. One of the best cars I have ever driven. This car can hold alot of things for a hatchback. The car drove like a sports car. This car is worth every penny. Recently crashed mine into a cement truck going over 40mph, walked out of the crash perfectly unharmed. Car held up in the crash. I would recommend this car to anyone.

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  new car - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By lin - July 22 - 4:56 am

  like the xc60, but seats not a comfortable as my former s60. Also, when I go from park to drive, something knocks under the car. Found out after I took delivery that Volvo is mistakenly leaving off parts that are supposed to be standard equipment on the T6 and 3.2...make sure yours has the polished exhaust tips before you sign any papers. My didnt (how often do you check a car to see if it has all the standard equipment it is supposed to) (do we need to lift the hood and make sure everything is there before we drive it off the lot?) volvo has been slow to get these parts on my new car. The company should issue a recall to have these put on the cars like they were supposed to.

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  Just keeps going and going and going! - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Conner - July 21 - 1:16 am

  This car is absolutely fabulous. 235K miles to date. The most comfortable seats ever made. Super-reliable. High- pressure turbo is fun as heck to drive. The AWD is excellent. Build quality is wonderful. I service the car every 5K and it takes care of me every day. Paint quality is still excellent after 11 years. Interior Materials also exceptional quality. The only issues with the 98s are ABS control modules tend to go out. Strut mounts can wear out causing a "clunk" sound. Replaced wheel bearings. The 3- CD head units dont last. Well worth it, though, factory sound is awesome.

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  Great Volvo XC90 - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By PWRD05 - July 20 - 2:40 pm

  This car is fun to drive, comfortable, easy to maneuver, great to look at, and most important safe. I feel very confident that I have the best protection available in a car. The XC90 handles very well. I would buy this car again in a heartbeat. Like all SUVs I wish it had better gas mileage but safety is worth it.

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  Volvo C70 - 2004 Volvo C70
  By John Styslinger - July 20 - 10:00 am

  I was intent on buying a ragtop and the C-70 was my number 1 choice after driving a T bird, BMW, and Saab. The fact that you can fit 4 adults in it with no difficulty ( Im 62" ) was a huge plus. Unless you and your wife/husband are going out with Barbie and Ken, forget the BMW for about 6 grand more to boot,and the T Bird has no room for me even without a backseat.

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  Volvo XC 90 T6 Turbo AWD Fantastic! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Elizabeth - July 17 - 12:23 pm

  I purchased my Volvo XC90 4 years ago, and Im very happy with my decision. For a large SUV, this one drives smoothly - not like a truck. Its very easy to handle. The steering/turning radius is incredible; it turns on a dime. Contrary to a couple of the reviews here, my experience with the acceleration is very positive. I find that theres no lag time between braking and resuming driving. In fact, when the light turns green, my XC90 gets the jump on cars beside me (and I dont floor it). Although I have the third row, I mostly keep it down; my family is able to take long trips with seemingly no end to the cargo space. While no gas-saver, I get around 19 city and 23 highway.

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  I Love My Volvo - 2005 Volvo S60
  By ronde1962 - July 17 - 9:43 am

  I had a 1997 Lexus ES300 and it was a great car. After the Lexus, I purchased an Infiniti G35 Coupe, which was fun to drive, but very uncomfortable, and a terrible car to do the commute to work everyday. I wanted to go back to a sedan, but also wanted something a little sporty. I feel as though the new Lexus ES 330 looks like a tub. I also checked out sedans from Mercedes-Benz and BMW, but they were way too expensive. Then I looked at the Acura TL which was nice, but it had cheesy fake wood and didnt have an upscale feel to it. Finally I tried the Volvo S60. As soon as I drove it I knew I was going to buy it. It is the perfect combination of sport and luxury! Its seats are so comfortable. It has a great sound system, AWD, and a beautiful leather and walnut interior. Do yourself a favor and check this car out!