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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  think twice - 2001 Volvo V70
  By MARIE - June 1 - 10:00 am

  IN THE FIRST MONTH I OWNED MY CAR IT FELL APART THE ELECTRICAL CRASHED THE BATTERY REPLACED AND GAS EJECTED BACK AT YOU!(SO MUCH FOR SAFETY) I NOW HAVE HAD MY LEMON FOR A YEAR WE WENT FOR A SIX MONTH PERIOD WITHOUT A PROBLEM UNTIL I ONCE AGAIN TRIED PUTTING GAS INTO IT AND WAS COVERED WITH IT DOWN MY LEG WHEN IT WAS BEING REPAIRED I WAS TOLD THIS WAS DUE TO COBWEBS!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND THIS HAS OCCURED IN MORE THEN ONE OF THE VOLVO MAKES!!!! YES THE VOLVO IS SAFE IN A CAR ACCIDENT BUT THE OTHER PROBLEMS ARE NOT WORTH IT

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  Life Saver - 2002 Volvo C70
  By Byron - May 31 - 4:20 pm

  Engine was sound and performed exceptional, however she was put down in June of 2008. I my wife & two kids traveled the 405 south bound in the carpool lane. A diesel trucks tire traveling north bound became dislodged (rim included). Now airborne crossed several lanes headed for opposing traffic with exact aim at my windshield. Not being able to move left or right I pushed the accelerator praying the tire would miss the car. No luck! Striking the roof of the car and crashing into the cabin before bouncing off. Insurance company declared the car a total loss. My wife, two kids, and I walked away without a scratch. With superb safety/build qualities 4 souls were saved by Volvo

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  My Volvo V40 Experience - 2004 Volvo V40
  By silver bullet - May 28 - 10:00 am

  This is absolutely the smoothest driving automobile ever. Ive driven them all. It is my wifes car. She loves the size since it is easy to park. The miliage is very good. Interior comfort is excellent.

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  wow - 2004 Volvo S40
  By wilfork - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I test drove the Audi a4, BMW 3 series, Acura TL, and Saab, but this car had by far the most bang for the buck. Amazing handling, nice pickup and a beautiful new body. I cant imagine getting this much car for this low of a price.

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  The C-70 SUCKS - 2004 Volvo C70
  By Anthony Ciara - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I have a 2004 C-70 ,,, 2200 miles..stering suspention horrible, Interior the wood grain actually just fell off the shifter, The interior roof ripped from poor design, the seat is showing wear on the leathor , and as i was vacuming the car ,the door panel ripped ,STAY AWAY,,IT SUCKS

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  Volvo Review - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By H Kumnick - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Great Utility & Fun to Drive.

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  Excellent car - 2002 Volvo C70
  By Linda Nyberg - May 26 - 10:00 am

  runs great looks great feels great female harley

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  VOVLO S40tay - 2003 Volvo S40
  By L Petri Design - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Great car, great price!!!!

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  Worst Car Ive Ever Owned! - 2000 Volvo S80
  By s80nightmare - May 26 - 10:00 am

  How I wish I knew what I was getting into three years ago! I have had nothing but problems with my 2000 T-6 and the first one (a 99 T-6) was taken back by the dealer. Volvo tried to make a really awesome car but put it on the market to let the consumer find the bugs! Shame on them! Mechanically, it is by far the most unreliable car I have ever had. My advice: SAVE YOURSELF A HUGE AMOUNT OF TIME, MONEY, HEADACHE, AND HEARTACHE AND DONT BUY THE S80!

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  A great Sports Sedan - 2002 Volvo S60
  By sroth356 - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Outstanding Sports Sedan. Fun to drive, great performance, outstanding stereo. Wonderful 5 Speed manual transmission. We have less than 1000 miles so far, but absolutely no problems or regrets.