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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  xc90 best in class - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By happy xc90buyer - September 13 - 10:00 am

  looked at and drove md80,rx330, explorer toyota 4runner, all within 2-4,000 dollars. top of the line xc90 43k. seating for 7, seats fold down easy, great view from windows and windshield. more interior Sq feet than others, simple dashboard for many features. will pass on to child in 5 years would buy 2 if had the cash

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  fuel economy - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By dixgannett - September 13 - 10:00 am

  I must add, after reading some of the reports. Most talked about power between the T6 and T5. From 0 to 60 MPH, there is only .5 second between the two engines. The T6 gets 20 on the highway, the T5 gets 24. Thats a big difference. For the .5 second, Ill take the T5 any day, expecially with the 5 speed.

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  Amazing car ! - 2005 Volvo V70
  By Harry Garschagen - September 10 - 11:06 am

  After trading in my 1998 V70 T5 with 140,000 miles on the odometer, I bought a 2005 V70R. Performance and handling are simply phenomenal, allowing you to drive at speeds and under conditions normally reserved for high-end sportscars. Build quality is excellent and all controls, switches and gauges are logical and functional.

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  Fun! Fun! Fun! - 2005 Volvo S40
  By MSW - September 7 - 7:10 pm

  Ive always had an eye out for the S40s. I happened to purchase one the dealer bought just for show. There is nothing left out of this car, every option imaginable including the sports package. I now drive the only car like it within a 500 mile radius which makes it really unique. Great acceleration, and handling, with a mild set back that the radio might quit working and have to be turned off and back off. But its fun to pull up to a Mustang GT at a light and show em that Fords arnt the best in Texas!

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  xc90 still a good bet after 2 yr - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Susan - September 6 - 5:50 pm

  This is my first Volvo and it has not disappointed. It was purchased for overall safety reasons, and it has been very reliable in the 2 years that I have had it. It is a pleasure to drive. The only problem with performance is the get up and go. It is a little sluggish. The vehicle doesnt get too bad gas mileage. I have been getting 19 mpg in the city and 22-23 on the highway.

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  Best car I have ever owned - 2000 Volvo V40
  By ishq - September 4 - 2:55 am

  Solid, reliable, sporty and can fit everything either in it or on it. I purchased this car after a friend wrapped his Volvo around a telephone pole and walked away w/only a scratch or two. I was surprised to find out how nimble this little wagon is. Must get V rated tires, but it is worth it. Kept up w/maintenance schedule, and has run like a charm for 195,000 miles. Showing no signs of quitting soon. Highly recommend this car.

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  BLIS - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Long Islander - September 1 - 1:33 pm

  The BLIS has malfunctioned for most of the time I have had this car, with 4 service appointments - the most recent meat 2 weeks with out the car while they replaced more parts. And...it still does not work! Either flashing constantly, warnings on the dashboard, or constantly on. Volvo is unapologetic, and not helping. Pursuing Lemon Law at this point - a car that costs what this one does should work correctly and the BLIS on my car does not, after having quite a lot of work done on a new car. Having a small orange light flashing in my line of vision constantly is distracting and unacceptable, as is the loss of information on my dashboard

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  Love It! - 2006 Volvo S60
  By GabbyGirl - August 31 - 5:13 am

  I absolutely love my car. As soon as I set foot in it, I knew it was meant for me. I stopped my search immediately. It drives wonderfully and I feel so safe in it. Also, the people at Volvo are so helpful and on top of it. From the dealership to the customer service phone line, they have impeccable service. Overall, I am extremely happy with my purchase of this car.

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  Volvo S40 - 2002 Volvo S40
  By nsherid3 - August 30 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. Rated one of Consumer Reports top ten for 2002, the Volvo S40 is a fun, sporty, peppy automobile, that has all the comfort and responsiblity of being a Volvo, the safest car on the road. The S40 handles and drives like a dream, stops on a dime, while having excellent fuel efficiency.

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  Love my Volvo - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By viking551 - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Best auto I have every had....all the space Ill ever need, third row seats, plush luxury. All this with 18/24 mpg on REGULAR GAS. Everything I wanted!