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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  Awesome car and awesome dealer - 2001 Volvo S80
  By new owner - May 10 - 10:53 am

  Great car, definitely a special car in the class of luxury automobiles industry. BMW and Mercedes do not match to the details that Volvo has put in to the design and develpoment of its cars. Great dealer. If youre in MA, visit Rob Delisle at Dalzell volvo. Hes a very fair person to deal with. Very customer friendly.

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  Perfect car all around - 1999 Volvo V70
  By Matthew A. - May 10 - 2:00 am

  This is by far the best family car imaginable. It is luxury all around, but maintains a sporty silouhette. The option of a third seat, the amazing space and all the options make it the only car I ever want to own. Its a perfect alternative to the cliche SUV or frumpy minivan.

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  My Volvo S80 T6 experience - 2004 Volvo S80
  By David Floyd - May 9 - 4:40 am

  Great road car, excellent fuel economy. Repairs include the heat/ac fan motor and controler, regular maintenance. Very comfortable for me, a 62" 245 lb man to take on a trip. Classic styling, starts whenever I need to go. Wife loves it.

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  Volvo strikes success again! - 2005 Volvo S60
  By LOVE THE S60! - May 6 - 12:23 am

  We had a 1999 S70 GLT and currently have a 2004 XC90. We traded in a 2005 Saab for as 2005 S60T this past weekend, and love the car. Feels heavy, handles well, and we expect it will be very safe and reliable. We have had an excellent track record with our Volvo purchases. My wife likes the car better than the Mercedes C240 we had (before the Saab), and hopefully it will be OUT of the shop much more than the Mercedes. Gets better mileage than the Saab we had (both were turbos) or the Mercedes.

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  You get what you pay for - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Corby - May 5 - 8:10 am

  I have had my XC90 for just over a year now. Its the best vehicle Ive ever owned but has some small drawbacks that I can overlook. The driver seat is already starting to feel as if it is wearing on the outer bolster. Overall it handles great for its size and does better than great on the autobahn in Germany at speed. The 6-speed tip-tronic changes are somewhat slushy during gear changes. I still compare it to the Touareg and LR3 that my co-workers have and I find it to be a better vehicle than theirs. Some of the options could come down in price. Over $3k for navigation is too much. I bought an aftermarket system for less than $600. But you pay quality money for a quality SUV.

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  Fun in the Sun with the C70 - 2001 Volvo C70
  By MES - May 4 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive; no major problems; did have problems with the two front side windows, Volvo provided a replacement kit but they are the one weak spot. The trunk is very small but will hold two sets of golf clubs in average bags (no Pro bags). It does accelerate very well. I replaced the factory tires with Bridgestones and the handling is much better.

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  Fun - 2004 Volvo S40
  By JohnKeith - April 30 - 1:03 pm

  I have had this car now for 2 years and it has a little over 33,000 miles. So, I feel comfortable to finally give my review. It has been a great car and VERY reliable. I traded my 2003 Accord in for it...and never looked back. The only thing I wish, I would have gotten the T5

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  A beautiful, elegant convertible... - 2004 Volvo C70
  By fredisenb - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Its a convertible that is elegant and stylish. We found it to be the perfect convertible because of the performance, style and the very roomy backseat. The stereo with its 12 speakers is awesome and the interior quality is superb. Volvo has also taken care of adding numerous safety gadgets to make this a fun and safe car to drive. After test- driving all of its competition I found it to be the best value all-around. If you are shopping around for a convertible that does NOT yell out "teeny bopper or mid-life crisis vehicle" than this is the car for you. A GREAT CAR!! Now run out and get one Im off for a ride ( top down of course!!) in mine now!!!

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  Elegant luxury - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Jo - April 24 - 2:35 pm

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  Thrilled - 2004 Volvo S80
  By TerryDB - April 23 - 10:00 am

  I love everything about this car. From the performance (starting and stopping), to the beauty (interior and exterior), to the comfortable quiet ride.