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:

• 

  Peace of Mind - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Rorschach - March 14 - 10:00 am

  My first Volvo, but I am very happy with the XC90. Rides great, stable in any weather, very comfortable, looks great. Unpretentious.

• 

  My First Volvo!! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By First Volvo Guy - March 14 - 10:00 am

  I currently own a 2003 BMW 530i, which I LOVE to drive and I needed a people mover thats stylish, safe (3 kids) comfortable and good on gas. Saw the XC90 last yr when it came out and was impressed with its styling. Fell in love with it on my test drive. I drove a friends X5 and was not happy with the ride, ruled out the Touareg and the Cayenne because of the lack of the third row, the MDX because its just an expensive Pilot and Im not a fan of American SUVs (too big, trucky and bad on gas).Anyone looking at luxury level SUVs to definitely check this one out before making their final decision. Volvo did good with this one!!

• 

  Volvo Has Done It Again - 2002 Volvo S80
  By Sanford - March 14 - 1:20 am

  This is my 4th Volvo and so far the best I have driven/owned. The handling is superior; the exterior appearance is eye-catching; the interior is like being in your favorite easy chair; and the sound system is definitely ear- candy. The acceleration is neck popping yet safe; the braking system is very dependable; and the lights really show you the way. The heated seats are a definite plus, and the entire heating/air conditioning system does not take long to either heat or cool. This Volvo handles like a dream. If you can resist putting your foot in the gas tank, gas mileage is also a plus. I plan to drive this Volvo until the wheels fall off.

• 

  Volvo V70 - 1999 Volvo V70
  By jobo - March 12 - 10:00 am

  This car is the most solid built car I have owned. I currently own a Mercedes ML 430 and choose to drive this car 90% of the time.

• 

  S 40 -- a Sweedish Civic! - 2002 Volvo S40
  By Bruce I. Higgins - March 12 - 10:00 am

  We just bought the dealerships first 03 S 40 -- after buying a new 02 XC a few weeks ago -- the 03 S 40 is a really well built "Civic size car" with a supurb build quality -- we bought it for safety and reliability -- and its worth the extra dollars over the oriental competition.

• 

  excellent car - 2002 Volvo S80
  By craig schroll - March 12 - 10:00 am

  excellent in all regards. a real fun car to own and drive.

• 

  2010 Volvo v50 - 2010 Volvo V50
  By Jay - March 11 - 1:00 pm

• 

  A Mommys car - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By SLAG - March 11 - 5:20 am

  Very good vehicle, I feel that I have provided myself and family some extra safety when on the road.

• 

  A car for the yuppie mom. - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By casalizzie - March 9 - 10:00 am

  Feels like driving a sedan, but you have available all the features of a SUV. Unsurpassed safety. Fun for the kids - dvd screen and ability to integrate, view and play electronic games, perfect for long trips.

• 

  2 Years Later I STILL Love it!! - 2004 Volvo S40
  By Restongal - March 8 - 7:33 am

  Okay I have had this car over two years and have done some serious driving, at just over 42,000 miles Ive driven in most every weather condition and this car has passed with flying colors through all of them. I was stuck in a major snow storm in Maine, put the car in "winter mode" and had no problem driving where many others had to pull over. The 2.4 has plenty of get up and go, and I love the looks it gets from others, I have had several people stop and ask me about it. It handles well and corners darn good with no fishtailing, which I am sure the stability control is responsible for. I recomend this car highly!!!