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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  volvo c70 convertible - 2003 Volvo C70
  By prpapo - August 31 - 2:00 am

  i love this car. the car is less noisy than other convertibles that i have driven - esoecially american cars.

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  Worste SUV in the market - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By vito9 - August 29 - 7:00 am

  I have never in my life experienced such a disastrous SUV. It is not reliable at all and the slogan "Volvo for life" is crap and does not mean anything for me as a T6 owner. I dont know where to start. New transmission at 80k, new steering rack a bit later, new hatch lock, tie rods, stabilizer links, ball bearings, joints, new breaks after 30k, leaking coolant, defective coolant lines and tubes, leaking windshield washer (broken tubes). This SUV is crap. NEVER, NEVER buy a volvo again! I had one before but this is the last time i am walking into the Volvo dealership to buy anything. I dont really like Japanese cars but the truth is that they are reliable!

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  S60 is awesome - 2002 Volvo S60
  By jmalexander - August 29 - 7:00 am

  Great vehicle; extremely comfortable and very reliable. Interior has everything needed except a back seat...very small. Firm ride and excellent road feel.

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  Great Car Fantastic Durabilty - 1999 Volvo S70
  By Chris - August 26 - 2:33 pm

  This car is one of the best for reliabitly. Can be an annoying problem with electrical warning lights sometimes going off for no reason. Everyone seems to have that check engine problem. Car still looks and runs great.

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  Is it possible to be in LOVE with a car? - 2006 Volvo S40
  By JDLasVegas - August 25 - 10:46 pm

  This is my first Volvo. I was considering BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar, even Lexus. Value for dollar, and the fact that the Volvo IS the safest vehicle on the road (I did my homework), it was a clear choice: Volvo. I am in love with this car! The dealership here in Las Vegas treats me like a king. Ive never had such a wonderful car buying experience.

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  DONT BE TEMPTED!!! Turn and run the other way! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By cgo - August 25 - 10:16 pm

  Do Not buy this car! I was enamored by the nice look, the safey reputation, and the fun drive of this car. And despite warnings on this and other review sites, I went ahead and bought it. I got a used one for $10k. After a year of in-and-out of the mechanic, and countless $$s spent on repairs, I finally junked it when the last repair estimate came to $11k. You would not believe how many "car experts" asked me how stupid I was to buy that car. Big...waste...of...money! Please do not buy this car. Dont be tempted like I was. You will regret it. I guarantee.

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  Volvo got it right! - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By george167 - August 25 - 9:39 pm

  My 4th volvo. This is the best yet. The R-design interior/exterior trim accentuate the beauty of this vehicle. The 20" wheels are a surprise in handling and comfort. City safety, climate, nav, media, tech, and bliss packages w/satelite radio and remote keyless entry... all contribute to an excellent driving experience. 6 mos. /10,000+ miles to date and expect over 200k like my others. Volvo has come of age with this model. Solid, beautiful (R-design a must) and full of amenities. I can go on and on. Perfect SoCal freeway vehicle (with surf racks for the beach), especialy with adaptive cruise control, blind spot info system and collision warning. Only superlatives.

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  VOLVO S80 - 1999 Volvo S80
  By MANUEL SOTELO - August 25 - 10:00 am

  VOLVO NEEDS TO FIX THERE TIE ROD PROBLEMS

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  too soo to tell... - 2002 Volvo S80
  By Ed Malcolm - August 25 - 10:00 am

  I like my S-80, but I cant say I love it. When I bought my 90 Hoda Accord EX I loved it. But that was an upgrade over an 86 Escort, so maybe just the comparison was more extreme. I see now why Volvo makes a Turbo, pick-up leaves something to be desired. I had a real problem getting comfortable in the drivers seat for a while, but one of us has adjusted. Had to have an airbag replaced twice now.

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  R U happy? You bet! - 2004 Volvo S60
  By zooommaan - August 24 - 5:30 am

  People have definitely hit on the high and low points. This car is Fast and Furious. It goes like a bat out of hell, stops on a dime and handles like a racehorse. It does all this in comfort and safety and looks good to boot! The stereo is awesome, it is always a pleasure to take this car out. However, I always feel like this car would rather be on an autobahn than tooling around town. I am watching the mileage dropping (on the trip computer) daily. It is not a great car to drive slowly, thats the bottom line.