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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  2nd Volvo - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Huron92 - March 30 - 5:03 pm

  This is my second Volvo (1st was an 01 XC 70), that Ive only had for 3 weeks but so far its a great car. Turbo lag is almost non-existent. From the 1st tank of gas Ive averaged 20 MPG in the city and the engine isnt broken in yet. Homelink should be standard and the turning radius needs to be better. I did get the sport package which translates to a very firm ride.

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  We love our new xc90 - 2017 Volvo XC90
  By Susan MacPherson - March 29 - 5:21 pm

  We owned a 2007 xc90 and just updated it to a 2017. We love all the new features- it is more luxurious and has added conveniences than the older model. But it still has all the aspects we liked in the previous one. We feel great about the purchase.

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  S60R - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Jim_s60r - March 27 - 10:00 am

  Hrd to believe it is a Volvo. A great sleeper car.

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  A feminine critique!! - 2004 Volvo S60
  By lkscott - March 27 - 10:00 am

  Wow! What a fun car. Love the acceleration. Have trouble with back- firing when shifting around 3500 RPMs told by Volvo that this is normal variant of the vehicle with standard trans---with 300 HP why would you have an automatic!! The Black sapphire looks sharp. Was worried about the blue interior--but it is eye catching with the blue weave. Love It!!

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  2004 Volvo S60 R - 2004 Volvo S60
  By cpbarton - March 27 - 10:00 am

  The S60 R is an owners delight. Performance is the most important aspect, 295 lb/ft of torque throw you back in your seat. The three chassis settings add versatility that few other cars in this price class can match (Advanced is great for right-lane interstate passing). 120 mph is smooth & quiet. The brakes are perfectly smooth & effective, not to mention good looking. The metalic blue interior gauges look great, especially at night. And with all of the sportiness, you still get a luxurious, safe, practical, understated (adult) car.

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  good suv - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By nac - March 27 - 10:00 am

  impressed with fit and finish . I am not really into sound systems but truely and excellent sound system ( no tape just cd ). Lag of turbo takes alittle getting use to and view outside (sideview) not great .Very solid ride especially in the rain and very easy to fold and adjust seats. Climate controls alittle awkward but work well. Needs more center storage in front ( very good storage in back ) compared to acura mdx, i am sure the engine in the acura is better but the material inside the acura are cheesey and overall the folddown split rear seat is much nicer. Acura dealer in this area was rude to say the least.

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  2005 S40 - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Horsefeeder - March 23 - 9:36 pm

  This is definitely a great/cheaper alternative to the A4, if performance is not your thing. The base 2.4 has little zip, but handles very well - except on the highway. The gas tank, though listed at 16 gallons, is actually only 12 due to a poor design which placed a hump in the gas tank to allow for the AWD option. Instead of a 350+/- range, its more like 260, which means more trips to the gas station (thank Ford for that!). Great trunk space, lots of leg-room in the back seat, fold-down back seat provides tons of cargo space for such a small car. If youre used to a 4-cylinder, get the base 2.4, but if youre used to a 6-cylinder, get the T5 or else youll be bored out of your mind!

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  Lemon Volvo - 2005 Volvo S40
  By LF - March 23 - 4:06 am

  I loved my S40...for about 6 months. It has less than 7K miles on it. They couldnt find the leak that flooded the front passenger floor..found it...replaced the windshield..with a (nother) defective windshield. Now this is the 2nd time its in the shop with the Check Engine light illuminated. I traded in my 7 year old Honda Civic that didnt have ONE issue in the entire time I owned it (aside from routine maintenance). I wish I had it back.

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  Its a looker...for a wagon! - 2009 Volvo V50
  By Joel in Germany - March 23 - 3:23 am

  I drive it on the Autobahn in Europe, my normal speed...100 - 115 mph. It has plenty of power, comfortable seating, plenty of cargo room...it is what it is...a sportswagon. I purchased a few extras for it that you cant get in the states to include the color. Great experience with Volvo! Nice car! It replaced my 2002 Mini Cooper. I hope to have this Volvo for years to come!

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  Awesome car - 2009 Volvo S40
  By V.N - March 22 - 12:36 am

  Many people may think Volvo is all about their safety, although i was very impressed when i first bought my car and took it home from the dealership, my dad was also impressed being our 2nd Volvo we have bought, being 17 and first getting this car is excellent