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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  I love it! - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Michelle - June 10 - 9:26 pm

  I bought my Volvo S60 new in 2001 and just turned 92,000 miles. For the most part, I have taken the car in for regular service maintenance. It has been a solid, reliable and fun to drive car. I have read some of the reviews below and I dont know why I havent experienced any of the issues. The only thing I can say, is my car was maintained through the dealership. As the salesperson suggested, I changed the oil every 7,500 miles not the 3,500 recommended for most cars. Volvo has truly delivered with this car! The seats are comfortable. I have sat in the drivers and front, passenger seat and have absolutely no complaints.

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  volvo 850 turbo - 1996 Volvo 850
  By patagonia - June 8 - 10:00 am

  great car high performance comfotable suprisingly fast and nimble loaded with features that would be extra costly on other makes

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  "R" as in Remarkable - 2004 Volvo V70
  By Ben Parrish - June 8 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this vehicle for a little less than 3-months.During that time I have had an opportunity to get to know my "R".My first impression was,nice - styling,but what else does it do? It didnt take me long to find out!!! From its sumptious interior to its "G"Force acceleration this is one Heck of a station wagon!!! After Looking over from one-end to another,I finally got in for a test drive.That 30-minute test drive sold me on this vehicle.What began as infatuation has turned into a full fledge love affair! Each day I drive this car I like it just a little bit more!

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  this is what I call car!!!! - 2002 Volvo C70
  By David Nagler - June 6 - 10:00 am

  This car is so fun to drive you will never want stop.The sound system is incredible, the engine is incredible, and the handling is incredible.The car is incredible!!!!!

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  New Volvo Owner for LIfe - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Genny6 - June 6 - 10:00 am

  I did a lot of research, shopping and driving of comparable cars. The T5 is a fantastic combination of safety, performance, comfort and luxury. I had seriously considered the S70 (boxy body style) a couple of years ago and now much prefer the sleek and sporty look of the T5. I have put many town and highway miles on the car in 11 months and I enjoy every day on the road. I love the turbo power. It is great fun passing other cars on big hills and the highway with power to spare!

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  Solid, Comfortable - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By dackmd - June 5 - 9:40 pm

  Bought this XC90 after 4 years in a Caddy SRX. Looked at and drove an MDX, ML350, Highlander, Enclave and a BMW X- 5. All nice, well built autos, but when you sit in the XC90, shut the door and drive you feel safe and comfortable. Controls are well layed out and everything is easy to use. No useless extras in the dash to "play" with. It has a solid feel on the road, either 4 lane interstate or two lane back roads. Recently took an 800 mile round trip and averaged 22 mpg. Not bad for going 75 to 80 mph.

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  Is it a sin to be in love with your car? - 2006 Volvo S40
  By Tim J - June 5 - 8:23 pm

  Bought a Barrents Blue 2.4L 5 cyl automatic S40 with black leather interior, climate package, select package, sunroof, 6 disc CD player, etc. Im in love with this car! Got a great deal from my local Seattle dealer. The salesman was great too: no pressure, easy to work with, gave me all the necessary info to help me make a solid decision, etc. I highly recommend this car. It rides great. It feels safe and well made. The layout of controls is excellent. A buddy has an Audi A4 (way too many of those in Seattle, BTW) and you are overwhelmed with dials, switches, and readouts. The Volvo S40 has a simple yet elegant controls layout. Kudos Volvo engineers! I highly recommend this car.

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  surprising performance for a wagon - 2001 Volvo V70
  By spike in chicago - May 30 - 2:00 am

  the v70 2.4T is to soccer moms what patty lupone is to WB network programming: howlingly inappropriate. this is a bonafide sports sedan with extra greenhouse space where a trunk would be. The turbocharged inline 5 that Volvos been tweaking for years has reached its apex starting with the 2001 model year, and it is one of the smoothest, lag-free, and willing powerplants of its type Ive driven. Volvo also chose to place the V70 on solid footing in the corners, so handling is crisp and without excessive body roll or sag, and the ride is just dynamite, even on the potholed streets of Chicago.

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  LoveVolvoS60 - 2002 Volvo S60
  By SweetTang - May 30 - 2:00 am

  Great Car and fun to drive, Safe, Sporty and looks so ausome.

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  I love it! - 2008 Volvo C30
  By Pete - May 28 - 12:26 pm

  I considered buying Impreza WRX or Mazda Speed3, have driven both. The Volvo really matches my style of driving, low RPM with a lot of torque, firm and comfortable suspension. I love interior, and exterior. Built quality is very good, audio and driving experience is amazing. I do really recommend this car for your consideration.