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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  Swedish delight, a real drivers car - 1998 Volvo S70
  By actorboy - April 19 - 2:00 am

  Have owned Volvos and Saabs for 25 years, this is one of the best. Totally dependable, starts at 25 below (we live in Minnesota) turbo 5 cylinder is fast and fun, 26 mpg all day at 75-80 with regular, best seats in the industry, great sound system, still as tight as the day we bought it. Got 83000 on it, cant get rid of it because I cant find anything as good that doesnt cost me 40 thousand. Have to replace a few bulbs, big deal. The ABS computer went out at 75000, a bit expensive. Station wagon version of this car saved my life in a collision 10 years ago, confident this one would today.

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  Best in Class - 2004 Volvo C70
  By pbgeneraluse - April 19 - 2:00 am

  Tested Audi A4, BMW, Saab; Easily picked C70. All are stylish cars, but C70 is more elegant, classy; a head turning auto. Its the most spacious-comfortable of the 4; has most features-including safety. C70 is a dream to drive. My trip to work seems cut in half. Handling is perfect for normal driving and more than any adult would need. Rear window is smaller than a Sebring, which does not have an auto-boot, but larger than the Saab. Not the acceleration of the BMW, but how often do you really need to jam the gas? Love the solid sound when I close the door. Will last 20 years, still look great, and still feel like it "fits" a mature adult.

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  Great for all - 2002 Volvo S60
  By golferaz - April 19 - 12:21 am

  I bought an s60 in November of 2010. Its the t5, 5 speed automatic. I am absolutely in love with this vehicle. I bought it with 127k miles on it in Arizona, its been driven around there and then across the country to Arizona. Most people would be hesitant to drive a car with 140k miles on it another 2000 miles, across unfamiliar ground, but the car did great. Great range, averaged around 29 mpg on the trip. Great sound system, comfortable, handy on board computer system to check information. I did put W rated tires on it about a year ago (speed tires), and I noticed that the cornering and stability increased ten fold. A bit expensive for parts, but you pay for quality. Great for all

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  This is One Nice Vehicle!!! - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Don - April 18 - 12:23 pm

  Volvo really did a nice job on the XC90. Our is two weeks old now with over 1000 miles and we continue to be impressed. The interior layout is outstanding. All the controls are easily reachable and understandable. Ride is very smooth with good acceleration. Gas mileage could be better though. We got the Rear Seat DVD system and it is just amazing. For a family with kids in the 11-17 range, it really keeps the noise down in the back. We compared against the Cadillac SRX, Chrylser Pacifica and Ford Freestyle. The XC90 blew them all away in quality, comfort and features. Its an excellent vehicle that I hope to enjoy for many years.

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  A niche, but if you fit, this is the car - 2008 Volvo C30
  By CarDude - April 17 - 5:56 am

  I wanted something fun, but not one of the Racer Boy cars. I have kids, but Im more likely to be alone and take the wifes VW Passat with the family. This car just FIT. Excellent fuel economy, power when you want it, and space to take things. Can even tow or mount stuff on the roof if needed. Interior is very unique. Some buttons take some getting used to, but overall a really nice stylish design. I like the two rear seats as they didnt try to squeeze in 3. Access with manual seats is great. Comfort is good as long as you put the short people in back. Volvo seats just seem to fit really nice for the long haul. Even the carpet in the back doesnt seem to be a dog hair magnet.

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  Great on the Autobahn - 2002 Volvo S60
  By driving in Europe - April 17 - 2:00 am

  The car is great on the Autobahn, it is capable of diving 230kmph or approximately 130 mph all day long. When you do so forget about good MPG, however up to 100mph you can still get 20MPG. I have driven this car all around europe and bought it over the 3 and 5 series BMW, which says alot since my wife is German. I did drive the T5, which was nice but decided the 2.4T was a good compromise and could drive as fast and handled as wel as the T5. Note it drove as fast based on the goverened top speed, the T5 will get you to 230kmph faster.

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  Lemon - 2006 Volvo S40
  By Kim, FL - April 13 - 6:06 am

  Love the car, perfect for me being a college student. Fun and sporty and perfectly smooth ride, excellent interior design and comfort. However, within 2 years of owning the vehicle, I encountered numerous problems with it starting due to electronic faults and technological issues. Buy with caution to save yourself headaches.

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  Love my S40 - 2003 Volvo S40
  By motor_city_smitty - April 13 - 2:00 am

  Solidly built. I could tell it is a quality vehicle when you shut the door and sit in the interior. The inside dash is well laid out.

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  Exactly what I wanted - 2008 Volvo C30
  By Mr. Morris - April 12 - 6:23 am

  I bought this after looking for 4 months for cars, using price, options, powertrains, looks and several other things. Minus not being AWD, I was able to get everything I wanted nothing I didnt need. I was able to steal mine for 22k after I put 32.5k in options on it. sometimes I hate the way it looks but its a love hate thing(its cause its a hatchback) and I love the drive. no matter how I feel my ride centers me. I have put a lot into since I bought, being 25 I couldnt help but want more power agility and style. Always still even now grabs eyes and the great feeling when someone take a shot of it with their cell phone. find buy love.

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  Nwe S40 2002 - 2002 Volvo S40
  By Gerald - April 11 - 10:00 am

  I did a lot of research and reading prior to buying this vehicle. For the money this is an excellent choice of a European made car. My performance has been nothing but excellent. The day after I purchased it we took it on a long business trip (300 miles) and it was super to ride in and fun to drive. The folks at Volvo listened to those who complained. Cup holders have been moved and the service light problem fixed.