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, safe Car - 1998 Volvo V70
  By mariap - April 14 - 10:00 am

  Love the V70 Wagon. Would ultimately love the XC or new XC90, but my wagon is roomy, great to drive and can haul anything. Will drive it till the wheels fall off, at least thats what my husband says. :)

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  Love my Volvo!!! - 1998 Volvo V70
  By dcdc73 - April 14 - 10:00 am

  Bought my Volvo used from a used car dealership with 30000 miles on it. I know people may think that I have given it some high ratings, but considering other SUV or wagon alternatives, this car is GREAT!!! Fuel economy is the only real gripe I have. I get approximately 20.8 miles per gallon in mostly city/suburban driving. I just think that the car should be able to do a little better than that. But I have to acknowledge, it is an all wheel drive car and it weighs alot so take that with a grain of salt.

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  great family car - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Eric - April 14 - 10:00 am

  We bought a certified used car from a dealer. It is a solid, well-built car, rattle free at 59,000 miles. Good acceleration, quiet cabin, good emergency handling, and great seats. More safety features than most cars.

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  :thumbs up: - 2003 Volvo S40
  By Student Lee - April 14 - 10:00 am

  I was trying to decide on whether I should buy a new S40, new A4, or new 325i. Just by looking at hp/curb weight or tq/curb weight, the S40 is way ahead of the two. It beats both the A4 and 325i in torque (a fat torque band) while weighing in at under 2800lbs, while the other two are above 3200lbs. This makes a HUGE difference. Although this car is obviously not aimed at being a performance vehicle, it still handles well. The 325i or A4 may beat the S40 in an AutoX course (325 being FR and A4 being awd), but it really doesnt matter since this car will not be raced. I just wanted a sensible car that drives and looks nice.

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  Great Car - 2008 Volvo S40
  By Jennifer - April 13 - 4:36 pm

  The VOLVO S40 AWD Tubo is awesome. I enjoy every mile I have done so far. It drives well, handles well and is a attractive looking car. I highly recommend the VOLVO S40. It is a great driving experience.

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  Best of Europe - 2016 Volvo XC60
  By Drew - April 11 - 1:02 am

  This is my second Volvo and the first one I had went over 100,000 miles with no service calls outside of general maintenance. Volvo is known for safety but I bought it for comfort and the quality of the interior. I think Volvo gives you a better product than its German competitors.

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  Is it held together with plastic screws? - 2005 Volvo S40
  By stephen3484 - April 10 - 6:13 pm

  What a piece of junk. I have owned many cars (German and American) and this one is just awful. I have 21000 miles on it but it drives like there are 121000 miles on the clock. A/C problems; stereo has a mind of its own; creaks, rattles, and shakes; the windows have a mind of there own; the gas gauge is unreliable; the ABS doesnt work; the whole steering system is screwed up and the list goes on. The car has gotten to the point where the steering and lack of ABS have made it almost unsafe and definitely unsettling to drive.

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  Two Strikes You Are Out - 2006 Volvo S60
  By Two Strikes Your Out - April 10 - 4:53 pm

  After 8 months and 11 service calls Volvo replaced my first S60R Lemon. The second S60R I received this year. I am sorry to say this car was also a lemon. The wheel bearings went out, rear tail lights went out, it burned 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles, the chassis started to loosen up after 6000 miles. I just got rid of the car and took a financial hit, but I was tired of driving a loaner more than the actual car. DO NOT BUY THIS VEHICLE (unless you want to know your service people very well)

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  Excellent Choice - 2004 Volvo S40
  By kgun - April 10 - 10:00 am

  This car caught my attention and it keeps growing on me every time I drive it. It handles excellently and has enough power to keep up with everyone else.

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  Rare Combination - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Reviewer - April 9 - 5:50 pm

  I love my S60R! Few cars in the world can claim high performance, comfort, exclusivity, great looks, all wheel drive, and still get 30 miles per gallon on the highway. It is a jack of all trades, and a master of none, other than being a great all around performance car. I bought the car two years ago with 25K miles and have had a few maintenance issues that have thankfully been covered under warranty; i.e. the HID headlamps pointed down too much and triggered a warning, the radio display went haywire, there in a thumping sound in the rear suspension occasionally when braking, and oh yes, the factory front air dams got torn off in a matter of months.