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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  New-to-Me Volvo - 2001 Volvo V40
  By Madison - May 22 - 10:00 am

  This car gives me everything I need: good gas mileage, great cubic space for hauling stuff, comfort, and most particularly, reliability.

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  Amazed - 2004 Volvo S80
  By greg freiwald - May 19 - 4:13 pm

  Had this car for 30,000 mile. never a problem. Great on ice and snow. Absolutely reliable. Amazing MPG ( 31 on the highway at 75 MPH and 23 in the city)...checked many times. Does everything you would want in a car. Great acceleration (despite what they say)

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  Good Riding XC60 - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Halllucy - May 19 - 8:33 am

  This is my third Volvo. I like the old Volvo "Box Style" and did not like any of the new Volvo "hatch-back" looking cars, so I bought the XC60 Crossover. However before the test drive, I was a bit hesitant because I dont like driving and looking down at other drivers. The test drive proved this was not an issue. I love my XC60. The only problems is the low gas mileage and AM radio reception.

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  Great commuter - 2007 Volvo S40
  By ndotym - May 19 - 3:30 am

  I have 14000, love this car great gas mileage, comfortable, great radio, just a couple of problems, all interior, sun roof shade broken track, mirror loose all being fix under warranty. Otherwise no problems.

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  sleeper - 2005 Volvo S60
  By sleeper - May 18 - 5:03 am

  The S60R with spoilers is gorgeous! The interior luxurious. It smells great, and it feels wonderful. The lumbar and the enveloping feeling of the seats feels comfortable and supportive at the same time. The 300 hp is unbelievable. Smooth transitions, nimble, yet stable, and quiet. The roar is not quite a BMW roar, but it is not bad either. It is a fun car to drive........Husband says it reminds him of his C4 because the all wheel drive is similar.

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  My baby - 2006 Volvo S40
  By Redster - May 15 - 12:56 am

  I love my s40. I drove the audi a4 and the bmw 3 seriess and the s40 is a million times better to drive and a lot nicer in inside design

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  Awesome SUV - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By VinnyMagneeto - May 13 - 10:00 am

  We test drove Chevy Tahoes, Toyota Highlanders and 4Runners, Acura MDX and none of them performed like the XC90. Ive always liked Volvos design, and this was exactly what we wanted. 3 rows of seats for kids. Sporty and very functional, plus safe. Once you test drive the XC90 on a mountain road verses the others, youll choose the XC90.

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  Love it! But? - 2005 Volvo S40
  By thetruth - May 12 - 5:56 pm

  Love my car it is a sexy fun car. I have the 6 sp manual and it is a straight rocket! One thing never, never, never, go to the dealer for service or problems. Volvo dealers are scam artists! I have a local mechanic who does all my maintenance and does better work for a 5th of the cost. He saved me when there was a recall on the pvc air box. My air box blew before the recall and when that blows your timing belt gets oil on it, when that happens the timing belt goes bad fast. Well he recommended I change it and probably saved me 4000. Ive heard people who went the the dealer and didnt get the good advice and had to pay 4000 once it broke. When it could have been prevented.

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  Safety First - 2016 Volvo XC70
  By FirstVolvo - May 12 - 12:27 pm

  Except for the fact that this unit must have some infrared sign saying Hit Me in it, I am actually thrilled by the purchase. At 600 miles, before the first installment was due, a deer jumped in front of the car while it traveled 60 MPH. Front airbags deployed and car brought itself to safe stop. Two occupants, including a 93 y.o. man, climbed out unscathed and without post accident issues. Volvo safety operators immediately called the car and summoned police, EMT squad , and fire truck. Out of state repair at Volvo dealership in Syracuse NY was exemplary. Now with 13,000 miles, the car was rear ended by 1 ton pick up truck with dual rear wheels. XC-70 bumper and hitch took brunt of impact. Volvo drove home, but offending pick up was not so lucky. Volvo hitch saved much rear end damage and transferred much of the impact to the colliding vehicle. Dealership service in two different states has been excellent. This is an extremely safe and comfortable vehicle, although I could do without further safety system tests.

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  Turns heads - 2007 Volvo C70
  By pachung - May 10 - 2:00 pm

  Overall, a great car for its price. Cant get a hard top that seats 4 from anywhere else. Like the title says, youll be turning some heads when you lower the top at a signal. Its not built for performance though... looks sporty but really isnt.