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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  Designed for ME and Family! - 2007 Volvo C70
  By MNMS - March 1 - 7:16 am

  Great Car! I looked at the BMW 330CI and Audi A4 and the C70 is by far the best! I have the car one week and heads are turning. Ride is smooth and tight, mileage great, and really is two cars in one. Top up or down looks great. No air noise when top down. No regrets!

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  Gas Guzzler and Computer Problems - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By alex - February 28 - 2:23 pm

  Bought this used/certified car with only 20,000 miles. After 1 1/2 months, the system computer breaks down with a message that the braking system and SRS had conked out. Had the car towed to dealership. Service people said its a minor computer glitch. OK. Guess what, same problem happened again 8 times for the next 18 months, everytime had the car towed and all the inconveniences. Had the car for only 18 months and have already replaced tires, steering rod and lots of other things. Had it serviced for 30,000 miles and cost was $1,100. Overall city mileage was 11 mpg, highway about 16. With premium gas prices at $3.30/gal, this car is more expensive than sending a child to college.

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  Resale Vaule Terrible - Do not buy - 2015 Volvo V60
  By Mike - February 27 - 3:10 pm

  I bought this car about 115 months ago thinking it would be great for a new family. I went to bring my newborn home and the rear-facing car seat did not fit, when I say it did not fit I mean the front passenger seat had roughly 3inches of legroom making the seat unusable. After finding the car would not fit out needs I went to trade in the car and visited 7 dealers and the car had depreciated higher than 50%. The sticker on my car was 42,534 and the trading in came in at 20k after just 15months. If you are looking at this car plan on keeping it for a long time or you will be throwing money away.

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  Great Car! - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Bassman06 - February 26 - 10:00 am

  When I bought this car, I had intented to buy a Ford Explorer or Jeep Gr. Cherokee. I drove this car just out of curiosity...I had no intentions of owning a Volvo. Before I got it off of the lot, I knew that I had to have this car. It has high milage, but it runs like new, looks like new, and drives like new. I would recommend it to ANYONE thats thinking of buying an SUV.

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  Owner - 2004 Volvo S40
  By Mary Black - February 26 - 10:00 am

  Best car Ive ever had.

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  The Volvo S80 - 2006 Volvo S80
  By Dennis - February 25 - 2:16 am

  The S80 4door sedan is a smartly styled,fun to drive, comfortable, reliable luxury touring sedan with room for four adults. MPG 20+ highway/city. Two things I would change. Larger side view mirrors and larger tires. Not rim size but sidewall size. Car came with 18" 50s. Dont like the low profile. Better ride with 60s or 65s and tires would last longer. All in all, you can spend a lot more money and I dont think you can buy a much better car. Weve owned Volvos since 1978. Weve also owned GMC, Ford, Chevy and BMW 740IL. Volvo beats them all.

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  Nice features but awkward interior - 2008 Volvo C70
  By djfunkywill - February 24 - 8:52 pm

  I replaced my Toyota Solara convertible with this Volvo C70. Despite similar horsepower, the Volvo seems to have quite a bit less pep. I bought this car because it is nice looking and Volvos reputation for safety and longevity. Now that Ive settled into the car, Ive noticed that the interior is much smaller than my previous car. Im an average size male and Ive got my seat quite far back. Even this seat setting, I notice that my knuckles bump my leg when I make a turn. I couldnt imagine transporting anyone other than a child in the rear. It seems cramped on the inside but I hope to get used to it.

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  Volvo must go - 2000 Volvo S80
  By KCKid - February 24 - 12:50 pm

  Great car if you can afford to keep it in repairs. Dealership must live off of the income from service dept. Transmission replaced at 80,000. Various other expensive problems.

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  My 1999 Volvo S80 T6 is just right!!! - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Carguy739 - February 24 - 2:00 am

  This is now my fourth Volvo and by far my favorite. I did have one recall on the car and thats been it. This car has been a total joy to own. I currently have 68,000 miles on my S80 and still look forward to the ride every time I drive it. This is such a comfortable car to ride in. I do know that some people had some computer problems with this car. It is all corrected with Volvos latest FREE software upgrade. The upgrade which was just released takes care of every electrical issue with the S80. I would recommend the S80 T6 to anyone. This will probably be the best car youll ever own.

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  Happy - 2005 Volvo XC70
  By RW - February 23 - 9:10 pm

  Excellent car for long trips with the family in all driving conditions available in the western US