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:

• 

  Fun for Mom - 2006 Volvo V70
  By CentIndy - May 20 - 12:00 pm

  Fun to drive for those who dont want the boring ride of a mini-van. Has plenty of space for everything you need. Can drive on long trips and not get so fatigued.

• 

  Draginwagon - 2004 Volvo V70
  By mjs - May 20 - 1:50 am

  I used to own the 99V70R and traded it for the 2004. What a difference! Finally, volvo improved on the turbo lag, braking and handling that plagued the earlier version of the R. Athough, my 99 R was still worlds above most every sedan and every wagon on the market at the time. Love the feel of the AWD in hard cornering moving the torque from wheel to wheel through the corners! Awesome!

• 

  MD Likes SUV - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Chuck Palilla - May 18 - 2:00 am

  Beautiful design, inside and out.It hauls my 1200lb. flats boat well.No problem pulling the boat out of the water onto a slippery loading ramp. Fairly good pick up,though lumbers slightly at slower speeds due to its weight. At 65mph plus it has no rival.Most comfortable interior of any suv--it blows away the MB350,X5,MDX and the SRX.

• 

  I suggest this car to anyone interested. - 1997 Volvo 960
  By JessicaK - May 14 - 10:00 am

  My family is a Volvo family; we currently own 4. I love the Volvo 960 that I have. It is comfortable, sharp looking, and something that you feel safe driving. Unfortunately, I recently ran into some financial difficulty and had to put it on the market. Im going to cry when it goes. It is an awesome car and I suggest it to anyone who is interested. I was actually put into this car by my mom. She wanted something safe and reliable for me. Volvo is safest car in America and that is the truth!

• 

  Excellent car - 2008 Volvo S40
  By Bing Yu - May 9 - 4:13 am

  This is the first time I purchased a Volvo. I love its exterior look and interior design. The back seat is pretty roomy. The 5 speed manual transmission is powerful and smooth. This Volvo S40 is really fun to drive.

• 

  What a ride! - 2004 Volvo S40
  By dargorilla - May 8 - 10:00 am

  I just got my new T5 two weeks ago, and I have to say that this is one serious automobile. The acceleration numbers that you read in the magazines (0-60 in 6.5 secs) just do not do this car justice, and cannot covey the feeling of doing 35mph, putting your right foot on the floor, and watching 70 come up before you can even take a breath. The ride and steering with the sport suspension feels stable even at ridiculous speeds through twisting turns. The seats are comfortable and supportive, and the interior is stylish, and inviting. This is the perfect car for those of us that do not want to sacrifice performance, but need to haul around the rug rats.

• 

  Volvo S40 T5 AWD - 2008 Volvo S40
  By Joe - May 8 - 12:13 am

  My Volvo S40 T5 AWD is my first Volvo. I replaced a Saab 9-3. I have only owned the Volvo for a month, however I can say that this is a very solid automobile. The ride and handling are excellent. The AWD gives a feeling of being glued to the road. I used the vehicle during a recent New England snowstorm and the car did not slide at all. There was never any wheel spin. The fit and finish are second to none. The leather seats are extremely comfortable and can be adjusted for a perfect fit. The car is solid for a smaller vehicle. It feels as if; it is cut out of a single piece of Swedish steel. The interior design is simple and clean, yet elegant. The exterior design stands out.

• 

  Outstanding - 2015 Volvo XC60
  By Fred - May 6 - 10:26 am

  Best car I have ever owned and at 72 I have owned a lot.

• 

  love my S40 - 2003 Volvo S40
  By lmh - May 2 - 10:00 am

  I have thoroughly enjoyed my S40. I was hesitant to purchase after reading several reviews of earlier versions of this car. In my opinion, the 2003 S40 is one of the best values on the road. I had previously decided to replace my old Accord with a newer version but was turned off by the pricing on the EX model when I went in to purchase. I found the S40 to be far more luxurious and fun to drive than the Accord for about the same price (actually less for a certified used vehicle). The car is zippy and extremely comfortable, and I love the fact that it is far less common on the roadways than the old standbys Accord and Camry. I would definitely recommend this vehicle to anyone!

• 

  Volvo S40 impressions - 2005 Volvo S40
  By CSV - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Ive only driven 1500 miles in the weeks Ive owned it, but it is quick, good handling, comfortable, and quiet.