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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  what you will - 2003 Volvo S40
  By boyo - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Despite problems with the central computer unit, this is the best vehicle Ive owned over the last 40 years.

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  VolvoC70 - 2008 Volvo C70
  By wendydan - March 5 - 6:10 pm

  My husband and I purchased the C70 after doing extensive research over the last year. We owned a soft top Sebring Convertible and loved it but were considering a retractable hard top. We bounced back and forth between the C70 and the S60 with a sunroof. We admired the Volvo C70 the first time we saw it while on vacation, but were not sure we wanted to pay the high dollar amount. The mechanics of the hard top were a concern and while it makes this car very heavy, the safety features are a huge plus. Although, after selling our Sebring and missing the convertible for a week, it was decided that the C70 would be the choice. This car is incredibly sleek, comfortable and tremendously fun.

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  Volvo XC90 - very happy overall - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By mgkelly - March 4 - 9:30 pm

  Comfortable to ride in and drive. Very roomy interior. Rear fold down seats are very handy when needed. Spacious storage as well. Handles well.

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  New S60 R - 2007 Volvo S60
  By JCSTOCKMAN - March 1 - 7:26 pm

  My new S60 R is a pleasant surprise from a company known more for safety than performance. With 300+ hp this car really moves and with AWD I have the confidence to push it farther than I might otherwise. I originally was looking for a mid/large sedan like the Charger R/T, Impala SS, Maxima, and Mazdaspeed6. After driving all these vehicles it was clear the Volvo was in a different class and was exactly what I was looking for.

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  Awesome Safe, Performance & Luxury - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Greg Colley - March 1 - 2:00 am

  I sold my expensive,loud, hard to get into, Porsche 911 C4 Cab. to get the S60R. What an great performing automobile. The 300hp. gets up and move you down the road in luxury, and I mean luxury, the seats are the most comfortable you will ever sit in! Get the groud effects package for style. Safe too.

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  WOW - 2004 Volvo V70
  By tommypaws - March 1 - 2:00 am

  Twenty five years of driving Volvo wagons...this is the best so far.

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  Volvo XC90 - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Minda - March 1 - 2:00 am

  After reviewing and comparing cars for a year we chose to purchase the Volvo XC90. We were even treated to a tour of the factory in Sweden as an incentive for our purchase. We are thrilled with our car and would recommend it to anyone interested in a luxury SUV with all the extras at an affordable price!!!

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  I <3 my volvo - 1999 Volvo S70
  By l8ydrgn - February 28 - 6:43 pm

  This is my first volvo and Im never going back! The car is comfortable on long drives, is reliable and has great performance in all weather conditions.

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  Great First Car - 2008 Volvo S40
  By dcompain - February 28 - 9:00 am

  This is my first new car after graduating college. Before this I drove a 2002 E46 330i on occasion, but my own car was a 1986 BMW 635CSi. As a BMW gearhead, I never saw myself in a Volvo, but the car represents an excellent value. There is a lot of performance (I have 5-sp manual), style, comfort, and feature content for the money. I have similar features as a BMW 328i for $10k less, and I actually enjoy the unique style, as a 3-series are a dime a dozen today. The ride is very smooth while still delivering road-hugging performance. As my first front-wheel-drive car, I appreciate the all-weather abilities as well.

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  Outstanding - 2007 Volvo S80
  By CHKLONDON - February 26 - 6:10 am

  I looked for 3 months before buying. I got a great deal and enjoy the car. Its loaded and has 9 more items my 2001 did not have. I enjoy the adjustable chassis feature that adds dimension to the ride. The V8 kicks in beautifully when I need to pass, a thrill. Its silver and I often walk around the car and admire its elegance. The ventilated seats feel great, sound system is wonderful.The Navigation system will get you there but sometimes it takes sub optimal routes. Maybe its me? I looked at certified BMWs and almost bit but the Volvo is a better value. Also the sides of a BMW are somewhat drab and too close to the ground like an old ladies skirt.