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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  Great car! - 2006 Volvo S40
  By JB - August 9 - 1:56 pm

  This is the best car I have ever owned. I have always owned 4-cyl cars, and I am amazed at what a difference 1 more cylinder makes. It feels rock solid and handles like a dream. Volvo safety combined with a great look, sporty styling. There is nothing about this car that I dont love - this is not your uncles Volvo!

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  I love my S60 2.5T - 2007 Volvo S60
  By suzanne G - August 9 - 8:26 am

  I love this car! It has all the class and safety of a volvo but it is also very quick and sporty. I have the black sapphire with black interior with the sport package.

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  T5 Volvo s60 - 2006 Volvo S60
  By tanya - August 8 - 7:40 pm

  I feel good knowing my children are in a safe car. It drives like a new car after 40,000 miles.

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  Unrealistic Expectations - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By sean.rowesr - August 8 - 12:00 pm

  This is by far the most disappointing vehicle purchase I have made. The transmission has gone out three times in less than 70,000 miles. The radiator and multiple hoses had to be replaced and the maint department at the two Volvo dealerships my car has been towed to were rude and unprofessional. The service department actually told me that my car was poorly built and Id be better off buying a different vehicle. I was told by the manager that the XC90 is plagued with mechanical flaws and the gentleman that brought my car to me from the shop threw the keys on the counter and walked away without speaking. They didnt even give me a new transmission..they stripped one from a car on the lot!

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  Sound Investment - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Loadmaster - August 8 - 2:00 am

  This is the fourth Volvo my wife and I have owned. There have been two S70s and one V40. So far the S60 has been a sound investment. During the first weekend of driving, I put on approx 350 miles. Some of that was during a major snow storm following a New England Patriots game. The handling was very good during the storm. My wife and I have become true Volvo loyalists.

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  Every days pleasure - 2004 Volvo V70
  By e.wilke - August 8 - 2:00 am

  My volvo 2.4 t makes it a pleasure every day I drive to my work.

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  A new experience in auto ownership - 2004 Volvo C70
  By Sonny99 - August 8 - 2:00 am

  My Volvo C70 has to be the very best auto I have ever purchased, as I have owned at least over 40 vehicles of various makes over the years. It is a true pleasure to drive. I only wish I had purchased a Volvo years ago.

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  Surprised!! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By UncleBarry - August 8 - 2:00 am

  A travel compass would be a great addition. The gas mileage is advertised on the window sticker as 18 to 24. I get 11 to 13 in the street and when I travel to see me daughter in school 5 hours away, I get 17 to 19 if Im lucky. The first two months of ownership and the passenger winshield wiper fell off, the headlight washer cover fell off, the cruise control didnt work, and both key chains fell apart and had to be replaced. I still love the car. The salesmanager was obnoxious and rude, and a real smartass. I only bought it there because my salesman ( who Ive dealt with many times is a pleasure).

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  Good But Not Great - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Rogeru - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Parts keep falling off. Door belt moldings replaced 3 times on all doors. Rug hooks keep pulling out. Driver seat side trim piece keeps falling off. Comfortable ride, handles well, loads of headroom, Im 64". Almost a great car but not quite.

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  2015.5 T5 Platinum Shines Brightly - 2015 Volvo S60
  By roubaud - August 7 - 11:02 pm

  I had a 2012 S60 T5 and loved it, but wanted xenons (all Volvo cars should have xenons period). The 2015.5 platinum makes an already good car superb. Its simply fun to drive -- not as fun as my old Merc C230 coupe, but still pretty darn good for a sedan. Mileage in the first few months is about 33 hwy and 28-29 combined -- that should get better, indeed I hope it does with the touted drive-e engine (I was at 24 combined in my 2012 T5).