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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  Great UV - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Robert - July 31 - 12:50 pm

  This vehicle is pure class. Amazing features and drive. The one knock could be that this is not a overpowering vehicle.

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  Nice car but next time a turbo - 2008 Volvo S80
  By Tall Volvo owner - July 30 - 4:03 pm

  I just purchased the 2008 3.2 S80 (I have had it for 48 hours); I like the look of the car interior and exterior. The car comes up short with the handling; it has a floaty feel to it and I live in Europe and have driven Audis, Passats and Lancias. These car have great pick-up; this car does not; you learn a lot about a vehicle when taking a trip from Germany to Italy through the mountains at night. Overall I have to say it is a nice car but the suspension needs work; Turbo is necessary if you want to get that extra kick when you need it. Also, some features should come standard with the car, e.g. blue tooth, front and rear warning detection for parking.

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  Best in Class - 2002 Volvo S40
  By mattjp212 - July 28 - 9:06 pm

  Less expensive to lease than a Jetta or many ither cars. Im paying $299.00 per month for a great car.

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  My second Volvo - 2010 Volvo S40
  By Dave T - July 28 - 3:03 pm

  My first Volvo was a very used, "beater" 1966 122S, reliable as an anvil, quirks and all. A few months back, after a lot of research, I purchased a 2010 S40 2.4i. After being severely injured in an auto accident I wanted a safe, practical, small car with good handling characteristics and decent performance. I drove a C30, then an S40 and decide that the S40 was for me. Besides daily driving I have logged 1200 miles on a road trip to Connecticut from Ohio and back putting in two 550 mile days in comfort.

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  a great first convertible - 2001 Volvo C70
  By tonyo - July 27 - 10:00 am

  The only problem that should be looked into by volvo is the decision to put Pirelli tires on the vehicle. They were defective from day one and nobody did anything to help. At 1 year, I replaced all 4 tires. They rode hard and wore out fast. Other than that, this car is a keeper.

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  Now if it was just more fuel efficient.. - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By osxanalyst - July 27 - 10:00 am

  The smallest, most car-like, SUV with the capacity to hold 7 passengers, IMHO. Also the safest SUV on the road. What more could you want for hauling kids around. The back seat is cramped for any adult, but the tradeoff is appropriate to keep the size down. The only problem I have is with its poor fuel efficiency, but that was expected when I bought it.

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  Roadwarrior - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By roadwarior - July 27 - 10:00 am

  In 5 months we have driven our XC-90 over 14k miles thru the Sierras and Rocky Mtns, the midwest and the deserts, with no quality problems. It delivers a great ride with a good driving range in all conditions. At 550 miles per day, we never were exhausted at days end because of the comfortable interior. This car is fun to drive.

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  Buyer Beware - 2003 Volvo S60
  By NH WInter - July 26 - 9:23 pm

  When I purchased my S60 AWD I thought it was going to be a great vehicle. I was wrong. Looks great, but many, many nickel & dime mechanical problems, which are both time consuming and expensive if you take it to the dealer each time. Traded an Acura CL for the Volvo, never again

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  Thatr - 1996 Volvo 850
  By LUVTHATR - July 25 - 10:36 am

  Fastest/safest most reliable car ive ever owned,, at 156,000 it still "cruises" at 135 mph.. Ac dumped at 150,00 pirelli p zero 17" hold the road like a custom glove.. If the abs/trac lights goes on/off its the ignition key switch.. See one,, buy it !!! 25Mpg even at demon speed..Oh ,.. And the cd stereo ,,sounds like heaven and this is an 850 turbo "r" with the spoiler on the trunk and spoiler under front bumper

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  Would buy again... - 2004 Volvo S80
  By colby92 - July 24 - 10:36 pm

  I have a 2004, 2.9L straight-6 (no turbo) Volvo S80 with over 94,000 miles. I am getting about 19mpg city and 26mpg highway; not bad for a 4000lb tank. The seats are EXTREMELY comfortable and the vehicle feels very solid all around. I feel very safe in this car and would not drive anything else because Volvo does not cut corners on safety. They had side airbags STANDARD in 1998, WOW! The American and Japanese automakers cannot touch Volvos safety record. Knock on wood, I havent had anything major go wrong with it, just a broken popup cup holder. Like most cars, the Volvos will love you if you give them some love. Maintain them and you shouldnt worry about reliability.