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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  Cross Country improvement - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By jfmakrp - July 24 - 2:00 am

  This is a remarkable improvement over the last model type. The handling is agile and sure. The cabin is comfortable and roomy. The booster seats work terrifically for our 2 girls (we were thrilled to be rid of our portable booster seats). The car tackled this snowy winter without a single skid or slide. Excellent on long trips.

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  Excellant alternative to boorish SUV - 2008 Volvo V70
  By steveheckman - July 18 - 12:20 am

  What the reviewers at Edmunds [and elsewhere] dont seem to grasp, is that many of us dont like the "me too" look and feel of an elevated SUV. Volvo and other EU manufactures offer a sporty driving experience in a very practical design - a station wagon. Not trendy...which is a characteristic that I appreciate. In an era dominated by overweight SUVs and their "cross-over" cousins, the Volvo V70 is a sign of sanity and good taste. If you need an elevated drivers seat to feel important, the V70 is not for you. If you drive with one eye on your cell phone and your brain firmly rooted in cyber-space, please stay in your SUV, and Ill keep an eye out for you.

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  Great Car - 2008 Volvo C30
  By elm2450 - July 17 - 3:16 pm

  Built to last. Tight body and reliable. Comfortable, safe, and fun to drive. Got all bells and whistles and do not miss the luxury machines the C30 replaced. Great look with alot eyes taking note.

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  XC 70 is the best - 2005 Volvo XC70
  By debbie - July 11 - 8:20 am

  This car is comfortable and easy to drive. I feel safe in it and we can haul most anything in the back. It is great on long trips. It is not like a huge SUV but you get the same feel as an SUV without the bulk. I dont feel like Im in a station wagon either. It is the best of everything.

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  Thumbs Up on the C-30 - 2011 Volvo C30
  By gitmogrunt - July 10 - 10:00 am

  This car is the first brand new Volvo I ever owned. I traded in a used 2006 S-60 for the 2011 C-30 and we love it. It handles very well, and has great response. It comes with a service package that cant be beat.

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  Bang for the Buck - 2009 Volvo S80
  By Falconflight - July 10 - 10:00 am

  My 2nd Volvo (2007 S-40) and again I was impressed with the interior and exterior style and quality. Bought a demo (4k miles) and knocked off 11k bringing the total to 29k and change. The ride is outstanding, especially for long distances. The sandstone interior is airy and sumptuous. Very comfortable seating. The stereo is again outstanding, along w/ the roominess. First large car that Ive owned and it has been a A+ experience w/ Volvo.

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  Solid and fairly speedy - 2006 Volvo S40
  By rich - July 9 - 3:43 am

  Wife just leased a 2006 S40 T5 AWD. I own a 2005 S4 so my opinions may be biased. I was impressed how comfortable the drive is, the smooth handling and 6-speed gearbox, nice acceleration for 218 hp in the lower revs despite the cars weight, broad torque band, simple yet sophisticated interior, decent navigational system, "thud" sound of the closing doors, overall sporty styling.

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  Great car - 2012 Volvo S60
  By dcm36 - July 6 - 7:25 am

  I am a long time Volvo owner and this is the best one so far. Great performance in base form with surprisingly good gas mileage. We have 4 children and the backseat is spacious and easily accommodates three across in carseats. Very handsome but understated styling. Sporty but classic Volvo at the same time. Feels like it will hold up well over time and we are hoping it does!

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  Sports sedan - 1996 Volvo 850
  By TheBLK850 - July 6 - 2:00 am

  This car is off the hook. When you click sport mode and hit the gas POWER POWER. I love racing this poeple with audis mustangs Grand prix GTPs. They all think that volvos are slow yet they dont know about the 8.6Psi turbo charger under the hood. The turbo charger is the heart and sole to to the 850 turbo model. It just loves to sip on oil.

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  Best Bang For The Buck - 2011 Volvo S80
  By son_of_norway - July 6 - 12:43 am

  I chose the Volvo S80 as I wanted a safe vehicle, with good styling, and performance. The features I had included were the blind spot information system, climate package, and parking assist. Having driven other "performance" cars the base 3.2 is more than enough. If you do live in a mountain region with snow consider the T6 as the front wheels do spin even with the DTSC system. The interior on the S80 puts the competition to shame as it is true wood and designed with incredible detail. I test drove the BMW 328, BMW 335, Acura TL for reference. After my previous experience I wouldnt recommend an Audi as even up to the model I recently owned they have many electrical problems.