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:

• 

  so happy!! - 2002 Volvo S60
  By jenn - January 17 - 10:00 am

  We drove pretty much every imaginable car, truck and SUV out there before we settled on the Volvo. Ive had it just about a year and am SO happy with my choice. We drove many other luxury cars, Lexus, BMW, Infinity and werent sure which to go with. I have friends and family who went with the other choices and have had so many problems. So glad I stuck with Volvo.

• 

  2006 V70 R - 2006 Volvo V70
  By LP - January 14 - 7:33 am

  This is a great car and is comparable and better than cars costing much more. Very smooth 6 speed Automatic transmission and lots and lots of power. This is a high performance car in sheep’s clothing.

• 

  would not buy another - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By j - January 14 - 2:16 am

  We are on the 5th set of tires (not cheap ones either)and Volvo refuses to believe some problem. They supposedly lined it up and even put the first set on at less than 8k miles free. The tires wear on the inside every time. The plastic casing the seats in front sit on have broken. One time they replaced free then I had to pay $95.00 second time and now passenger side broken. They told me they put a better plastic on now when they did the driver seat for second time. I love the look of the car but too much trouble and would not buy another.

• 

  Euro Fun without a Roundel - 2004 Volvo S60
  By SMack - January 13 - 1:43 pm

  We have owned a number of BMWs and like their balance and drivability. When we saw the high performance Volvo at a much more reasonable price than an M car, we had to try it. Car has great styling, raw power, sophisticated suspension and powerful brakes. The interior is very comfortable and the seats are simply the best. The car is stable and corners very flat. There is no real noticable turbo lag. The suspension is expectedly stiff, even on the "comfort" setting. Engine is not as smooth as some others but it comes across a bit as a hot rod. It is pretty thirsty when driving spiritedly (which you will want to do often). The S60R is a bargain and we have been very pleased.

• 

  S-60 rocks!! - 2006 Volvo S60
  By bkinchlt - January 12 - 11:50 am

  There was an initial problem with the starter fuse, causing the car to die twice, but since then it has run flawlessly. The turbo kicks in immediately (I dont know what they mean when they say lag, because there is none.) This is the most comfortable car to take on a long trip. You cant beat Volvos seats.

• 

  Great car thus far - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By ColtPeyt - January 11 - 2:00 am

  Overall we have been pleased. We got what we paid for. From our demo we had a problem with the rear seatblet - Dealer is dealing with taht today - Our Dealer has been fantastic thus far. Another conern is sever black brake dust on all 4 tires after only 600 mile - Dealer says this is not a concern - well see.

• 

  Awesome Car - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Mcgoorty - January 11 - 2:00 am

  We love it. It drives very smooth. We had an explorer before and what a difference. Our kids love sitting in the "way" back" and mom loves having a vehicle that in no way resembles a mini van!

• 

  Great family car - 1999 Volvo S70
  By EJ - January 10 - 10:00 am

  Excellent family car with high reliability and decent curb appeal. Ive had no major mechanical problems over a three year period, and the car still drives like new. Engine performance, ride and handling feel like new.

• 

  The World of Volvo - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Excellent Car - January 9 - 12:40 pm

  Wow! This car is awesome. Stylish, solid, safe & sound - welcome to the world of Volvo What more can ask of an entry-level luxury sport sedan. I feel really smart driving this car and even smarter when I spend less than $25K for it (w/automatic and gnarly standard features, and season ski pass & lift for 2 to Vail & Heavenly). It priced much less than the Audi A4 or BMW 325 and WOW its a better car in everyway.

• 

  Love my S60 - 2006 Volvo S60
  By Kim - January 8 - 10:23 am

  My parents have owned Volvos for the past 20 years and have never had a problem. So when it was my turn to move up in the car world I was excited with how far Volvo has come in design! I looked at Acura and Mercedes and just melted into Volvos seats. After going to our regular Volvo dealer, I was sold, at 8:45 at night! I am extremely satisfied with my decision. I was actually originally looking into the S40, however with the financing/leasing deals for the S60, it turned out to be a better deal...and more room in the car!