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 Car and Great Value - 2011 Volvo C70
  By Mike B - June 27 - 3:03 am

  Ive had the C70 for a couple of weeks. Compared the C70 to the BMW 3 series. Glad I bought the C70. Its a fun car to drive and very stylish. All the complaints Ive read in other reviews have been resolved with the 2011 model. It has plenty of power for my driving style and good passenger room. I have the convenience and climate packages. The car is a real head turner when parked at the local restaurant or gas station.

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  Best SUV - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Wizardatruestar - June 27 - 2:00 am

  This is the best and safest SUV ever built. The safety features simply blow away the competition with innovative, state-of-the-art engineering. This vehical definatly raised the bar in the luxury SUV market. Now...try to get one!

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  Love my 2nd S40! - 2005 Volvo S40
  By nsg - June 25 - 10:00 am

  I leased my first S40 in 2001...when my lease expired I expected to try out another vehicle...possibly the Audi A4 or the BMW 325 series. After seeing the new S40 models I went to the dealership to test drive it...love at first sight. I must say this is a new and improved S40...much sportier and fancier than my last vehicle. I love the new design and features. Volvo for Life!

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  Love my XC90 - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By ValerieNJ - June 24 - 4:13 am

  I spent over a year deciding on what SUV to purchase. Seriously considered the Lexus RX330, and the BMWX3 the Volvo XC90 won my heart!!! I wanted an SUV for cargo space and I wanted comfort. The XC90 rides like a car, gets better gas mileage than my 97 jeep. I get 21 mpg highway and about 18 city. I was concerned with the 2.5 turbo, no problem it has wonderful pick- up on some very major hills. I purchased a Demo from the dealer 3 months ago and have had no problems since Ive owned the car. Absolutely love driving this car on long road trips. It is very comfortable, hugs the road, feels very stable. I also own a nissan 300zx for my summer driving and cant get out of my Volvo.

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  Fun, Fun, Fun! - 2004 Volvo S40
  By RYan - June 22 - 4:53 pm

  We are finishing up our 3-year lease on this car and have loved driving it. We have all options including upgraded stereo, leather, htd seats, etc. and it is a blast to drive. We have owned a few Volvos in the past (240, 850) and this one is by far the coolest (beats the stodgy S60 and S80 designs by a mile). It is peppy, even our 2.4i, gets good mileage, 32/22, and handles great, even in the snow. We are in MN and had two major storms this year. I popped the car in manual mode and plowed right out of 1-foot snow drifts, while our Camry bottomed out and got stuck several times. Great car.

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  SUV Convert - 2010 Volvo V70
  By ironman - June 22 - 4:13 pm

  I did not think I would ever own a wagon of any kind, however, after driving SUVs for years .... I realized that a wagon is just a lower, more affordable, more comfortable version. I have been extremely satisfied with this vehicle since day one. The difference in comfort(traded in a 2003 Lexus RX 300) is unbelievable. I decided to look beyond the ubiquitous Japanese vehicles and found an outstanding vehicle in this Volvo.....The root meaning for the word Volvo "rolling strength" certainly applies.

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  Never drive a minivan again! - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By twinmama - June 22 - 9:53 am

  Love this car! Only complaint: mileage. I only get about 14.3 mpg. Other than that, spacious, great design, user friendly, great for kids and cargo. Love it. Will never go back to a minivan or station wagon again (unless its another Volvo!!).

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  Love it! - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By Lars Hoej - June 22 - 1:36 am

  My fourth Volvo, but SUV. A 2008 V8 Special Edition with practically all options. Paid $56,000 and have no regrets. The ride is smooth, steering responsive and road grip and stability far better than my wifes Acura MDX. Second row a bit cramped, but as it is meant for kids and they are more interested in the entertainment system, its not a big issue. Air condition for the rear seats is on all the time, as it enhances the over-all airflow. The air quality system and BLIS makes highway traffic very comfortable. I drive the car pretty hard and has a mileage below 12, but the V8 sound is so great that its hard not to use the power.

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  couldnt be happier! - 2001 Volvo S60
  By peterson - June 16 - 10:00 am

  When it finally came down to choosing between the Volvo S60 or the Audi A4, Driving the car really made the difference. And the view of the front end. I chose black. And it still has an awesome shine today even though I park it outdoors. Too many people are still expecting the interior to be similar to the older Volvos. And every time my friends get in, theyre totally shocked. It defines clean lines and style. Now, I feel I have a much better car then the competing BMW as well. Plus, theres more hidden features the dealer doeasnt tell you about that makes the car a way better deal than anything else I could find under $50k.

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  Excellent cruiser - 2003 Volvo S80
  By Carbuff - June 14 - 11:16 pm

  Volvo has a fine automobile in the S80 T6. Mine has been trouble free; the key to which is regular maintenance. I also recommend a transmission service or flush every 40,000 - 50,000 miles at the dealer. If you plan to keep the car for several years, the servicing you do will pay dividends. This is a fantastic automobile for long trips and highway driving; especially good for moving people in comfort. Fuel economy is much better at cruising speed on the highway; youll see dramatic drops in start and stop city driving. Highly recommended!