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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  Absolutely Brilliant - 2012 Volvo S60
  By dr_q - July 14 - 9:56 am

  Volvo has really done well with the new S60. Its just a wonderful car, balancing everything from performance to safety and everything in-between. I have the T5 version and it is quiet, very responsive, and gets good gas mileage on regular gas (mine got 32MPG highway on a recent trip). Driving it is a dream. On the outside its a great looking car, but not overstated, the interior is comfortable and elegant. Materials and fit and finish are excellent. When you look at when you get for the price, and then add in the 5yr/50000 mile warranty, which includes wear and tear items and regularly scheduled maintenance, its just fantastic.

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  The only Swede youll ever need - 1997 Volvo 960
  By GreatfulGrout - July 14 - 2:00 am

  This is my third Volvo and by far the most satisfying. While it only has 97k miles (the first went 425,000, second 195,000) it has been a very pleasant ride. The ride is very soft and sure. It turns on a dime. The in-line 6 has plenty of power, and the creature comforts about as standards, like side air bags on a 7 yr old car. I have had only one non-regular service issue covered under warranty, the sun roof. Having moved to E Coast from W, you do NEED snow tires.

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  Love this car - 2004 Volvo V40
  By Njooshka - July 14 - 2:00 am

  This car is a great combination of performance and practicality. It is fun to drive, gets great gas milage and has plenty of storage.

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  my fourth Volvo - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By alan cole - July 14 - 2:00 am

  We have had 3 Volvo wagons...after a number of other make SUVs, this is our first Volvo SUV...delighted so far...tried other competing models from Lexus, Volkswagen, BMW...this is the best..Wife loves it...

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  bought 2005 2.5T in November 2004 - 2005 Volvo S60
  By 05 S60 2.5T - July 13 - 7:40 am

  This is mostly my wifes car and we both like it a lot. Seats are the best and interior features are great and easy to use. Gas mileage around 24- 25 around town and 28-30 on long highway trips and it uses regular gas which at $3+/gl is a huge plus. It is more affordable than comparable Euro Sedans and has been a joy to own so far. I opted for the FWD model because the sport seats in the AWD we saw were not as comfortable and I think the seating comfort makes this car special.

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  Volvo got it right with the XC90 - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By Val McGovern - July 12 - 9:06 pm

  I recently purchased a new XC90 with the 3.2l I-6 engine. I couldnt be happier after 6 weeks of ownership. Quality, fit and workmanship appears to be great. Gas mileage has been decent (avg 20 mpg in mixed driving). This is my second Volvo (I also have a V70 T5) and I am very satisfied with the experience.

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  I LOVE my Volvo! - 2002 Volvo S80
  By MCM - July 12 - 10:00 am

  Buying my Volvo was the best thing I have ever done for myself. It is a comfortable car and I feel VERY safe in it. I love to drive it and I am anxious to take it on a long road trip. I loved dealing with Rickenbaugh Volvo in Denver - they were GREAT!

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  Love This Car - And I am Picky! - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Ricardo - July 11 - 10:26 pm

  I love this car. Never thought I would even own a Volvo, let alone say I loved one. Keep them maintained and they will keep on going! Do a few modifications and these will not only get better gas mileage (30+ if you can keep your foot out of the turbo) but also blow the doors off of most cars out there.

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  Nice suv smooth ride - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By dan f - July 11 - 4:43 am

  It rides great and has nice power. Great room and comfort. Some interior defects like a door handle coming off and a broken seat stop. I have owned it one month - 4000 miles on it.

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  Family car - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By FamilyMan - July 8 - 7:50 pm

  Great car and safety features are excellent. Family of 5 when we bought and now a family of 7 and still driving. We pack light, put a cargo holder on the roof and take off on the road.