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 - 2003 Volvo S60
  By dgghh/dfghf - July 6 - 2:00 am

  This is comfable, this is the best car I have ever had

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  love - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By S LYNCH - July 4 - 10:43 pm

  Great car. Its got two TVs and the kids love it.

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  Perfect - 2008 Volvo C30
  By mapin - July 4 - 2:53 pm

  Fun to drive, unique and good looking. Seats are extremely comfortable. Tons of head room. Rear passengers always remark about the roominess and comfort. Rear hatch design is very functional, as is the cargo space. I can fit my road bike with one seat folded down, and room for a rear passenger to sit. No repairs yet, knock on wood as warranty is about to go.

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  Volvo You Rock - 2001 Volvo S80
  By Bishop - July 2 - 12:20 pm

  I just purchased a s80 2001 with 152,000 miles on it. This was the best buy of my life being a pre-owed car. Thanks Volvo

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  pretty solid - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By jj - July 1 - 2:26 pm

  I have had this auto for two years now. I still get looks while driving. It is a very comfortable auto to drive and lots of safety stuff too.

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  2012 XC90 - 2012 Volvo XC90
  By laarcadacpa - July 1 - 1:24 pm

  My wife and I are very pleased with our 2012 XC90. Our last SUV was an MBZ ML 320 which is a very good vehicle. The price of the new ones, though, gave us pause. In buying an SUV we considered seating capacity as a primary quality. We have 5 grandchildren locally. The performance comments concerned me. However, with the 7 speed automatic that manually shifts, there is more than ample performance, if one knows how to use a transmission. The value, space, engineering and performance are all here.

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  Great Little Car - 2003 Volvo V40
  By DKRoss - July 1 - 10:00 am

  Well built car, lots of standard equipment. At $29.5K, its not the best deal on the planet....but after a $4500 incentive, and a $200 deal...the net was $22.5K....a GREAT deal...when used MY2000s sell for $17K. mine has the 15" wheels and tires, I think I would go for the 16" setup. I added the Volvo front strut bar, makes a great differance in handling.

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  Happy, so far... - 2002 Volvo V40
  By slick - July 1 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my V40 for just over a year now and Ive been happy with it. I havent had any problems with it. I ended up with it because the sales people at the mercedes dealership next door(owned by the same company)didnt give me the time of day (I was wearing jeans and a t-shirt).

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  What a steal! - 2004 Volvo S80
  By TravisScher - July 1 - 10:00 am

  I leased a new S80 a few months ago and I got a better deal than you could imagine! I had an S80 before this one and I leased it for $500 a month but when that came off lease I got a new one for $390. I was considering an Acura RL, Lexus GS and an Audi A6 but none of them compared in value. I found the volvo the most comfortable and I love the T6 engine, although it was not worth $150 more a month.

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  Im in Love! - 2006 Volvo S40
  By CoaChKsCar - June 26 - 2:20 am

  I have always wanted a Volvo of my own and I have no regrets now that I have one!! I have never felt as safe in a car after owning a Saab 9000, a VW Jetta and a Scion tc. It is solid and flawless and handles so well in questionable weather. I would recommend it to anyone. I will never buy anything other than Volvo again. Its engine is powerful and the control is amazing. The interior design is slick and incredibly functional and the sound system is great. Im a soccer coach so being able to fit all of my crap in the trunk is a must and this car definitely fills that need!! If you are considering this car I have nothing but strong recommendations for it!!