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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  Built like a tank! - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Alex M - June 15 - 10:00 am

  I would recommend this car to everybody. It is very comfortable and has enough passing power to embarass quite a number of cars. I love the seats, the layout and the features.

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  Second time a charm - 2004 Volvo C70
  By Rob - June 14 - 7:30 pm

  I have owned both the 02/LT and the current 2004/HT C70. The 2002 had a "bad" rattle in the back right 1/4 panel and after Volvo could not fix it I traded it in for the 2004. both cars ran well and I love the HT and the mileage is equal to the LT. We get compliments daily and I drive the car 12 months in New England. dont like the CD changer or the difficult method to move the seats up to let a person in the back. Great "empty nester car" and long trips are like sitting in a lounge chair at home.

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  Best in Class, Value and Otherwise - 2009 Volvo C30
  By Paul - June 14 - 7:26 am

  Strangely, this exquisite, sophisticated car is being overlooked in rankings because its drive isnt quite as "fun" as other cars. Meanwhile, it has twice the warranty of the far less dependable VWs, and has a solid reputation for reliability and has best in class safety. Being a grown up, I value those two aspects far more than the fun factor, which to me is represented well enough by the zippy engine, which, btw, is the same engine you get on most of the more expensive Volvos, so its a deal at this price. The C30s cost of ownership due is extremely low due to the expanded warranty package that makes it much more like buying a BMW, but for much less money. Best value anywhere.

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  Good so far - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By Greg Robins - June 10 - 9:03 pm

  Just new to Volvo after driving Japanese for all my life (except Audi for a wonderful 3 years). Compared to previous MDX and 4-Runner, the XC90 has all the luxe one would expect at this price. Great seats, simple control-layout, great ride, decent power and capabilities. Low road noise and nice, high perch. Great grocery bag feature at back that beats a cargo net hands down. Handsome exterior design.

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  Try It Youll Buy It - 2004 Volvo S80
  By orchid - June 10 - 10:00 am

  The S80 has matured from a stylish sedan with questionable quality due to its innovative technology to a sexy, stylish and fun-to-drive automobile. Out on a test track where you can open it up, youll find yourself wondering why you never pursued that racing career.

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  Volvo for life? Not a long one. - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Matt T - June 7 - 6:10 pm

  This car looks great, seats 7 semi- comfortably, is great in the snow, and will spend as much time in the shop as on the road. O2 sensors out at 50k. Spark plugs needed replaced at 50k. Transmission needed replaced at 61k. Volvo service wont stand behind the car. I was told directly that "Volvo for life" is "Just a slogan." Dont let the pretty looks and solid reputation fool you. The newer Volvos are trouble. Expensive trouble at that.

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  Amazing, Sweet and Sexy - 2003 Volvo V70
  By Volvotopia - June 6 - 2:00 am

  I dont know what to say, this has got to be my most favorite volvo of all time.All those standard safety features, no wonder its the safest car in the world. The seats are so comfortable and there is plenty of cargo room for what ever your hauling.

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  My 1999 S80 T6 has been terrific!!! - 1999 Volvo S80
  By SamanthaCalifornia - June 6 - 2:00 am

  I bought my T6 a couple years ago and now have 68,000 miles on it. It has been a total joy to own. I did have one problem when I first bought it but that was it. The dealer did upgrade the cars software and like I said, its been a joy. Pretty much trouble free. No complaints at all. I recommend this car very highly!

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  S70 GLT - 1999 Volvo S70
  By fredmar - June 6 - 2:00 am

  Nice to drive and comfortable front seat. Poor quality components used. Replaced several parts numerous times. Worst cup holder on the street.

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  Great Car - 2008 Volvo C30
  By C30Owner1983 - June 5 - 4:16 pm

  After owning a Ford Focus and a Pontiac Vibe, this is by the best hatchback I have owned. I fell instantly in love with the unique design the moment I saw at an auto show. Anyone who loves attention will love this car, I couldnt count how many times people stop me to ask me about my car plus the looks, stares, and pointing. Ive only had one issue so far. The shifter would bind up, but it was covered by warranty and its been smooth ever since. Acceleration is great, handling is superb, interior is simple and comfortable, MPG is nothing too spectacular but still good. Also, it handles decently in the snow, but in SE PA we never really get that much snow anyway.