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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  Gorgeous Styling - 2003 Volvo S60
  By MikeJr - November 17 - 2:00 am

  The Nautic Blue with 17" Tethys wheels is absolutely gorgeous! The styling is unique and does not look like the other European "jelly bean" sedans. It has an Italian design flair to it.

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  These are sweet cars! - 2006 Volvo XC70
  By VolvoForLife - November 15 - 9:06 am

  I just purchased a 2006 XC70 AWD wagons and I am very pleased. This car is made for road tripping or just cruising around town in style, comfort and safety. Sweet ride Volvo.

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  Great Car - 2005 Volvo S40
  By David Beardsley - November 14 - 4:23 pm

  When I began test driving cars, I really hadnt given Volvo any thought. In Portland, Volvo means the big boxy station wagons you see all over SE. The S40 came up on some comparable vehicles lists and on a whim I test drove the T5. After that everything else I drove seemed like a cheap garbage. The car is very smooth and quite, has a great interior, and I love the body style. You wont be racing Mustangs off the line but on the highway passing is great fun. Im 6, 200lbs, which I dont consider that big, but the S40 was one of few cars I felt like I fit into. Only wish I couldve afforded the AWD. :)

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  My all-time favorite car! - 2006 Volvo S80
  By Laura Deihl - November 12 - 3:20 pm

  What a joy to drive. Handles great, comfortable. Feel totally confident and secure. Amazing such a safe car has such a lovely, almost sporty feel to a luxurious ride. Sumptuous. Perfect size.

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  Im happy with it. - 2005 Volvo V70
  By Skredberry - November 11 - 8:06 am

  First volvo for our family. After EXTENSIVE searching , we landed on the Volvo v70 non-turbo, specifically for gas mileage and not having to use 93 octane. I can get about 400 miles to a tank, so on top of great mileage, I go long time between fill ups. We bought after having a baby and the stadium seating is great for a car seat to see out the window. My husband is 6 and has some difficulty getting comfortable in the drivers position (the s40 we had for a loaner was roomier, he said). Ive been very comfortable driving it and it has nice pickup. I didnt give a 10 for performance because after going from a VWGolf this is not as easy to handle. Good car for antiSUV ppl.

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  Great car!!!!!! - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Chan - November 9 - 1:30 pm

  Awesome car, great pickup. Good ride, comfortable yet sporty and a very "tight" feel to the steering. Sticks to the road like glue! AWD great in the snow. Love the extras and the heated seats a must have for cold climates, forget that for all climates it is like getting a backrub on the way home from work. This car mellows you out after a long day at the office!!!

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  Swede Speed - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Bullit - November 7 - 10:00 am

  An awsome performer, that could take the likes of BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz. Although not quite as refined as the above makes, its definately unique and could give a run for the money. Best Volvo ever built

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  This Car Rocks - 2004 Volvo V70
  By KevinLeungPhD - November 7 - 10:00 am

  The V70 T5 excel in every automotive arena. The 247-hp Turbo is a beast on the highway- beating many, many, many cars. Adding the GearTronic will result the winning combination of performance, fun and automotive enjoyment. Fuel economy is excellent- averaging only at 10.5L/100km. Build quality, safety and reliabiliy is undoubtly excellent. The seats are the best you can ever find in the universe. Versatile and agile, the V70 is the Einstein of scientists and the Kristanna Loken of actresses.

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  A Volvo can be fun!!! - 2004 Volvo S80
  By MPL - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Every three years I get to change cars through my company car lease program. Ive done the Bimmers, Benz, Jags, etc. but this time around the Volvo really caught my eye. I first took a close look at the S80 T6 when I went to turn my Jaguar S-Type back in to the dealership (who also happened to be a Volvo dealer). Once I got the S80 out for a test drive, my mind was made up. Who would have thought that a front- wheel Volvo could be so much fun to drive!!! Ive had to put up with a few old guy jokes from friends when I told them I went Volvo but their criticisms usually stop once they come for a ride.

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  Fast and Furious - 2002 Volvo S60
  By rsochaj - November 7 - 10:00 am

  This car is awesome, really fun to drive, with exceptional performance