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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  It is fun to drive again - 2009 Volvo C70
  By cthimes - July 30 - 12:33 am

  I just purchased this vehicle last week and love everything about it. I am a big man and fit in the vehicle just fine. It is a great car to show off and certainly gets everyones attention when it changes. My kids have named the car after Jazz in the Transformer movie because it really is a noticeable change. I like the feeling of security that the car brings and I am very pleased with the performance. The car has plenty of power actually more horsepower than the V6 Mustang convertible that I was also considering. It really is two cars built into one.

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  great car and value - 2014 Volvo XC60
  By suninla - July 27 - 11:54 am

  This car is a great value and has all the extra safety features I wanted in the car at a much lower price then BMW and Audi. I drove a 2010 XC60 3.2 and the transmission was a bit sluggish. I just purchased a week ago the XC60 T6 and I couldnt be happier. Car drives smoothly and is fun to drive. Really hugs the road and I like that its a unique car you dont see all the time. Really like the improvements to the navi system and update Blis package with cross traffic alert.

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  I Love It - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Ariel - July 27 - 6:46 am

  I bought this car new in 2001 after having 3 Mercedes in a row. I love this Volvo! Zero problems in 7 years. Only have had scheduled oil changes, etc. I bought this car because I demolished my husbands Volvo Wagon on a trip, flipped and rolled it down a ravine -- and opened the door and walked away. I wanted that feeling of safety for myself and have not been disappointed.

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  love it - 2004 Volvo S60
  By DONNY - July 26 - 2:00 am

  love this car it is fast and a good car for the highway

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  A Prince of Cars - 2002 Volvo S60
  By trusgold - July 24 - 10:00 am

  reliable and the volvo people are so so so attentive

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  I love her - 2008 Volvo S80
  By itsvolvosafe - July 23 - 4:32 pm

  I bought this vehicle because it was a much better value than comparable BMW and Mercedes models and it also does not come with the pretentious stigma commonly associated with owning one of this cars German competitors. My previous vehicle was a Mercedes ML 320, it had many problems and was worth less than $5,000 when I bought my S80 and I still got more comments from people about the vehicle that I drove. The S80 has a subtle presence while still offering most of the power and luxuries that come with owning a BMW or Mercedes. It is not as dynamic as a 5 series or a powerful as a E550 but it still has as much power, performance and comfort as you could want in an everyday driver.

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  If you buy the T5 model, you are in for a SURPRISE - 2000 Volvo S70
  By logan_sully - July 21 - 9:41 pm

  Ill say this..when I started looking into buying a Volvo..I wasnt expecting a speedster. Then I found this gem- a 1999 Volvo S70 T5, mother of god..this thing goes. I mean IT GOES. I am completely blown away about how fast this car goes. No one expects it. Its also very luxurious (very nice leather seating, wonderful sound system, heated seats)

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  First Small Hatchback - 2008 Volvo C30
  By lgibsonjr - July 18 - 4:40 pm

  I read all the reviews and test drove several small hatchbacks before selecting the Volvo C30 (with only one option - automatic transmission). The C30 standard features met all my other requirements. Overall, it cost less than the Audi A3, has more comfort than the Volkswagon GTI, and enough power to compete with both. Personally I dont like to "feel the road" as much as some, and I enjoy the unique styling. The C30 is a nice blend of sportiness and comfort at a reasonable price. One added benefit is the fact you dont see many of them on the road (yet) so it stands out in the crowd.

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  Love on four wheels - 2002 Volvo C70
  By Captain America - July 15 - 10:00 am

  My experience with my baby is one of joy and jubilation! Driving her is so mcuh fun and she is so unique (You dont see that many black coupes) I love her and am going to keep her for quite some time...

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  Best Car on the Road!!! - 2006 Volvo S40
  By Poppy - July 14 - 9:30 pm

  This car is an absolute joy to own! Fuel economy is 26 miles per gallon around town and over 30 on the highway! Its gutsy when it needs to be yet comfortable at any speed. This is a whole lot of car for the price! Best purchase Ive ever made!