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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  Way behind the Technology - 2009 Volvo C70
  By Steve - August 7 - 11:00 am

  The looks are great, inside and out. Ride is comfortable, especially the highway driving I do. Handling is a little mushy. The car is quiet as a hardtop, top up, not bad, top down. Seats are incredibly comfortable and definitely recommend the sovereign leather. Technology is embarrassing. The Navigation is like a built is Garmin. The phone is HORRID; very few phones are compatible, and any time I have tried to upgrade phone software, wont sync to the phone book. The other problems are the gas pedal is 1-2 inches lower than the brake pedal, which is awkward, and the Climate Control is weak. After 6 months, Im going to see if I can trade it if I can do it without losing too much money

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  Good Value - 2006 Volvo V50
  By LA Commuter - August 5 - 3:16 pm

  Traded in my Jag XJ8 VDP for a silver station wagon and so far has little regrets. Better gas mileage (23 MPG average) compensates for luxury features, and the V50 is a very fine looking car from almost all angles. What surprised me is how well the car handles. The downside is ride quality (can feel lots of LA street bumps), and how A/C can draw down gas mileage significantly. The space behind center controls looks neat, but not very functional. Overall, a happy owner. The silver color also means fewer car washes because it doesnt look dirty, as long as you Windex the windows.

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  easy to drive - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By cathy - August 5 - 12:50 am

  easy to drive, park, reverse - however, visability could be improved. had horn go out on me the first month. if it rains, when you open door(s), water falls out. i get asked questions about the volvo all the time - over all - so far - great - except for visability.

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  Correction of husbands review - 2009 Volvo V50
  By sally34 - August 4 - 11:32 am

  I have just become aware that on 4-14-10, "Tom" offered a review of our 2009 Volvo V50 T5 Awd R design 4dr wagon. We have previously owned 5 Volvo wagons since l971, each of which was "my" car,and our adult children have had six Volvos. Toms criticism of my V50 was a little harsh, and unfair to compare it to our larger, more substantial wagons, the last of which was traded in on the V50 simply to reduce the turning circle from 43+ to 35+. The keyless entry has caused hassle and extra expense. Volvo recently changed the cap for drivers door..... lets hope it works!!

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  Best SUV - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By ciagins - August 3 - 10:00 am

  Ive had it for almost 4 months and its great. Love the way it handles - its zippy! Had a Jeep Grand Cherokee before and it was a chore to drive. The XC90 is fun. Lots of room, seats are comfortable - I feel safe in Seattle traffic. Gas mileage is only 15 mpg and the hesitation when you accelorate at low speeds are negatives.

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  xc-90 - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Keller - August 3 - 10:00 am

  Great vehicle! Drives like my old s- 80. The optional back row of seats comes in handy- a great alternative to a minivan.

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  Hidden Luxury - 2006 Volvo S60
  By David Belford - August 1 - 5:06 pm

  After looking at Audi, Bmw, Mercedes, Saab, I happened upon a Volvo dealer more to waste time than to purchase. Even when I visited the auto show in Febuary, I walked past their display. Took a S60 2.5 turbo sport for a drive and bought it on the spot. Was hit broadside at 50 mph 2 weeks later and walked away with no injuries

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  Volvo S60 SE - 2006 Volvo S60
  By fredryk - August 1 - 12:04 pm

  Gorgeous and comfortable car that can suit anyones needs. Powerful, spacious, suitable price.

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  Had many car...this is the one!!!! - 2006 Volvo XC70
  By Stanley - August 1 - 4:36 am

  We must have had over 50 vehicles of all kinds over the years. This one is a tank. I feel so safe. Although we have only had it a few months, I could not be more impressed. I have yet to go through a winter but with a hill for a driveway it is very comforting to know I will make it up without any issues. Cant wait to try it in the snow. I feel very secure, rich, and cared for when driving.

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  Worst car I have ever owned - 2001 Volvo S60
  By TURNER - August 1 - 12:33 am

  This car had more problems than I care to think about. I babied this car and still had sensors go bad, sunroof broken, transmission go bad at 80000 miles, lights burnt out and impossible to adjust. And last but not least, the cars engine was shuttering when I traded it in, my guess, bad turbo charger. The gas mileage was decent, but nothing spectacular. 19 city and 28 highway.