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 wagon - 1998 Volvo V70
  By mrpyromaniac - May 31 - 3:30 am

  Just bought this baby with 150k on her, and she runs GREAT!! I checked everything out, suspension, timing belt, etc. Nothing wrong at all. And this wagon is fun to drive!! I would recommend these vehicles to anyone.

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  Very nice car! - 2008 Volvo C70
  By 2007 Volvo C70 T5 2d - May 28 - 10:33 pm

  After test driving the BMW convertible, this Volvo became an easy choice. Better looks, perfect sound system (please get the upgrade) and best of all has more airbags than I can count. The seats are very comfortable, the interior is nice and easy to use buttons, I also got the Climate package, 6 mo free Sirius, 1 year free maintenance and best of all $10K of the sticker price. All I need now is some sun. Enjoy your purchase.

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  Loving It for Now - 2008 Volvo S40
  By Dave D. - May 25 - 7:53 am

  I have only had it for a couple of weeks so I can not say much about the reliability, but the overall look and feel of the Volvo S40 is everything I was looking for. If you want a smaller refined looking ride that has some speed and handling, look no further. The S40 has a classy but still young and sporty feel to it. For people my age (26) it fits perfectly. The only con is that people looking for a sporty manual transmission the Volvo is not a good pick, but the Five-Speed Geartronic Transmission is very satisfying.

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  My Fun Car - 2001 Volvo C70
  By Errigal - May 25 - 2:00 am

  This was my first fun car and convertible and I have no regrets!!! This is truly a classy, elegant, sexy and sporty vehicle that also provides Volvo safety and practicality. My job involves regional travel and this baby has been a blast to drive with the top down. I am not the best driver of mountain roads but with this car I am confident. It just whips around those mountain curves and hugs the road while the wind whips through your hair and the music plays on one of the best sound systems. If you are shy and dont want to be noticed wherever you go, dont buy this car....otherwise, go for it!!!!

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  Compromise - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By Whel - May 25 - 2:00 am

  After driving an SUV for five years I found this to be a great compromise. We still have the storage space & the allwheel drive ... but I now have an auto thats easier to park, smoother riding & much better looking.

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  GOOD CAR - 2002 Volvo S40
  By samuroy - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Satisfied

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  comfort - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By saad - May 22 - 2:00 am

  nice to drive it had 63,000.00 mile. since i drove another 50,000.00 mile lovlely at snow . small miner repair here and there. they never more than $400.00 ayear. well if the car more than 5 yr. thats is normal. I will keep the car another 5yr untill is 200,000.00

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  2001 V70 t5 - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Pete Mickelson - May 22 - 2:00 am

  I really love this car. The seats are very comfortable. The car is so quiet, you can actually hear the car stereo, which is excellent. The car is very quick, it is like a Porsche wagon.

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  The S60, it grows on you - 2002 Volvo S60
  By viran12 - May 22 - 2:00 am

  I had never bought a car of this caliber but I looked at others in this range and style and felt that the Volvo S60 was an awesome buy. After buying it I expected EVERYTHING to be perfect. It was after all a $30,000+ automobile and a Volvo. I soon found out there there were several little things to get use to. One was the edvanced A/C controls. They are really out there and ahead of the times. Well after almost four months, I continue to love my car more and more.

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  Great highline luxury sedan! - 2002 Volvo S60
  By H Wright - May 22 - 2:00 am

  I am in the business, and for the money hands down this is the best vehicle in its class. Skip the BMW or Mercedes nameplate and get a well rounded sport sedan. Fun to drive, quality vehicle and the factory warranty covers the lease program timeline also.