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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  Wouldnt buy another - 2001 Volvo C70
  By Get A Bimmer - January 1 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car instead of the BMW 3 series convertible and lived to regret it. I would never recommend a Volvo after the problems I had with the car. Additionally, the dealer lied on several points, and Volvo corporate did everything they could to avoid taking responsibility for their car with all its problems.

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  great wagon - 1999 Volvo V70
  By thom walsh - January 1 - 10:00 am

  This wagon is a solid handler. Great for trips, running to Home Depot, or Stratton Mountain. This is a fairly nimble alternative to bulky SUVs and much more sporty. It acquits itself quite nicely in snow although Im not about to offroad it. It needs fifty more horsies to be the best wagon on the planet.

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  "Smart" car - 2004 Volvo V70
  By Concerned Husband - January 1 - 10:00 am

  There are numerous issues with this car in our experience. For one thing, it is "needy"! The constant in-dash warnings about servicing, oil changes, bulb placement problem (no clue what that means, it comes on and then goes off periodically), check-up times, etc., are a bit maddening. The cruise control would not work for some period, we had it into the dealership twice and of course they said it was working (it wouldnt misbehave for them), finally they realized they had to replace the pressure device at the brake pedal...

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  awesome ride - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By padraic - January 1 - 10:00 am

  this is an incredible vehicle...never have i felt so save and comfortable with such a fun vehicle. the cargo room is great and when we need to car pool the rear seats are so easy to put up

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  Xc90 safest - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By BROWN COLOR - January 1 - 7:16 am

  Excellent in driving and safe on road tracking is very good especially in winter. i have no regrets in buying this car. Fuel consumption is also very good. My family is so happy to have this car.

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  Drives like a car, totes like a UTE - 2001 Volvo V70
  By polyas1st - December 31 - 4:44 pm

  Volvos are, like most European cars for people who like to drive. Despite being needlessly burdened with a 4wd system, riding 3" too high , and having 300lbs of extra weight, this car actually handles competently. I do my own work on the car so repair costs arent really an issue but if you had to have it worked on it would be pretty expensive to maintain properly. It is certainly more expensive to run than a Kia Sorento which is because it is not a Kia Sorento. I like the fact that everything is heavy duty, even the leather on the seats is surprisingly thick.

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  pricey but nice - 2009 Volvo V50
  By crs - December 30 - 3:16 pm

  V50 R, is my 4th Volvo (still have XC90 and C30, recently traded xc70) First impression is the V5o isnt up t the high standard of the others. I really got the feeling that I was in a rebadged Focus. Funny thing is though this car can grow you on. The comforts are subtle. Performance is great, handling is top notch( unless you hit bumps then you feel the sport suspension) For city driving with the kids it is perfect, neither too small( C30, nor too big XC90) Volvo has switched to this clunky menu/ enter / select / exit audio and phone control system which stinks. Huge distraction which ought not be tried while driving. Odd development for a car that promotes safety. The previous was better

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  mythoughts - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By atulumaris - December 30 - 5:50 am

  this suv performs exceptionally well.. gas mileage could be better. supposedly very well built and passenger protected.

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  Not all that great! - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Nancy - December 27 - 6:56 pm

  Try parallel parking at night when there is no outdoor lighting and it might change your mind about your purchase of this model without buying the Bliss feature. Tinted and extra small rear windows make it hard to see at night. Volvo does not make an adequate dog gate for this model and the one you may have from your wagon will not fit.

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  A surprise - 2009 Volvo XC70
  By Michael - December 26 - 6:13 am

  We already own a 2002 XC70. We decided to get another car and the wife decided she was only getting another XC. The 2002 has been the least hassle car we have owned. We have had a Chevy die in a toll booth, chryslers with ABS computer problems, Jags with various quirks. The only problem with the 02 was a stuck filler door fixed under warranty. I was leery of the reported fuel mileage and can state that to get to 18mpg one has to be going 87 mph. This was the surprise. Normal cruise at 72 mph yielded 25.4 mpg. By the way the T6 goes like stink. The wife is already looking for Mustangs to put the hurt on. Ill be adding further reviews as the mileage adds up. 400 miles so far.