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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  Fun AND Comfort - 2002 Volvo S40
  By ShpDog - July 4 - 10:00 am

  For a compact automobile you can not ask for a better combination of luxury and handling in an automobile. It might be considered a little "stiff" on the road but I like the feeling of control that provides.

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  T5 for practical enjoyment. - 2002 Volvo V70
  By BioWhiz - July 4 - 10:00 am

  The ability to go from automatic to manual transmission, flawlessly, at any speed has brought enjoyment (fun) back to driving. Although a mid-size wagon, once inside, you are never reminded of that fact. It handles in a very responsive way and if anything, is a bit too peppy. You MUST use the cruise control or you will be driving on a ticket from the local/state police.

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  S-60 2.4 - 2002 Volvo S60
  By ripplek - July 4 - 10:00 am

  this is my first European Sedan. (Finally made the break from Camry). MSRP on my Volvo is about the same as a loaded Camry XLE,but this S-60 offers so much more for the money. The seats are outrageous! I drove it 2000 miles this summer and was able to walk upon exiting the car. (cant do that in a Toyota). Great handling overall.

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  Still Great After 75 Thousand Miles - 2004 Volvo S60
  By KPboy - July 1 - 1:50 pm

  I got this S60 hoping it would be reliable, and it hasnt let me down. Year after year it has been problem free. After almost 6 full years of service, it has been the best car I have ever owned. I even live in a mountainous region with constant hill driving and braking, and the S60 manages quite nicely. The only money I have spent on this car since purchase has been for the regular maintenance intervals. If you are looking for something rock solid when it comes to safety and reliability, then this one is the absolute best. I would know, ive had 2 benzes, a BMW and an Audi. This one impresses me more than any of those.

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  Great Ride - 2006 Volvo C70
  By atlfan - July 1 - 3:43 am

  Its like being on vacation every time I get behind the wheel. The top is an amazing piece of engineering. The car is very well built, and drives extremely smoothly.

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  Great Car! - 2007 Volvo S80
  By Volvo Yahoo - July 1 - 12:33 am

  This is my second S80, first was a 2000. The 2007 is a great car and very comfortable. No one beats Volvo seats, friends even comment on it. Love the way it rides, handles, style. Still have the first S80. I hope this is as good as the first car has been.

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  Volvo S60 - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Lou - June 30 - 7:20 pm

  This is my second S60 and I like this one as well as my first one. It is a very comfortable car to drive, well built, and handles nicely. The s60 is the best car Ive ever had.

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  AWESOME CAR - 2004 Volvo S40
  By s40t5 - June 30 - 10:00 am

  I just recently recieved the s4o t5 for my highschool graduation... its def. well worth the little bit of money and its an awesome car to drive!

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  Awesome Car at a Great Price - 2004 Volvo S40
  By James Powers - June 30 - 10:00 am

  I have the 2004.5 S40 2.4i with Premium Package/Sound, Convenience. I chose the 2.4i because I didnt feel the T5 was $3K faster, meaning the 2.4i has some good enough zip for me. As most others have written, you are saving quite a few bucks when choosing the S40 over the TSX, A4 or C230. I came down to the Acura TSX and the S40. I paid about $2K less, understanding the great reliability history of Acura. At the end of the day I felt Acura is a small Accord with a sport package. As for the A4 and C230, both were great cars but were about $5K more. I would not have considered the old S40 nor the current S60, but the new 2004.5 S40) is a solid car!

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  7 years of enjoyment - 1999 Volvo V70
  By red deg - June 29 - 11:06 am

  My Volvo V70 AWD XC has been a great car, never any problems - just regular maintenance. It still looks and runs great. Ive driven it across the county a couple of times with my 2 kids and we have all enjoyed the ride! I hope my 7 year old will enjoy it as his first car 10 years from now.