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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  Couldnt be better, very solid car - 2009 Volvo XC70
  By lahavespecial - January 8 - 2:46 am

  We test drove an XC90R and the XC70 T6, the T6 was buttery smooth, faster, and more refined. Completely outclassed the XC90. Initially the auto trans. was jerky at times and sometimes shifted sluggishly, but after 3 months, we didnt notice it at all, completely smooth. Mileage in the beginning averaged close to 13L/100km, but now is close to 10.5, after 17,000 Kms, and getting better. This is a very solidly built car, tough, comfortable, builds confidence.I can stand up after 9 hrs driving and feel no back pain! Great winter car, with full winter tires, confidently passed many lines of tailgaters on snow covered highway. Reliable, not one issue to date! AWD engages effortlessly, Ex. in snow

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  lovin it - 2006 Volvo S40
  By Shanny - January 7 - 9:36 pm

  Very pleased with my choice - would highly recommend this car to anyone. GREAT car for new drivers/teenagers.

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  Love my XC90 - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By W F - January 6 - 3:16 am

  This was my first choice in SUVs. I absolutely love it. With 3 kids and after trading in the minivan, this suv is a little smaller. But it is so much fun to drive (compared to the van its like driving a sports car) that I dont mind the little amount of space lost. It gets great gas mileage - the same as my van, 19 in town and 22-23 on the highway. It is easy to maneuver in small spots, easy to park. My only regret is that i didnt buy one sooner.

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  110K Miles and Going - 2000 Volvo S40
  By DallasSteve - January 5 - 2:00 am

  I love this car! I have personally put over 100K miles on this car in heavy traffic and on road trips and I have never regretted the purchase once. My service has been excellent, my reliability good and the car is without question a well performing small car. I have to say I understand the weiners, they just did not understand the car they purchased. There was a defect with the headlights which was completely fixed under warranty. The brake pads do wear quickly. Volvos have great brakes, they stop on a dime. Great brakes wear quickly, thats the trade-off. I would never trade my safety and breaking for saving a $100 in brake pads.

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  Volvo for LIFE! - 2002 Volvo S60
  By DonGuba - January 5 - 2:00 am

  Best Car for the Money - New or Used. Will never buy anything else but Volvo. Audi, SAAB, ro BMW are not even close. Volvo for LIFE!

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  Lovin It! - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By DFox - January 4 - 8:36 pm

  Being a SUV/pick-up gal I wanted something sporty but a little beefy. The XC70 has a luxury/sports car feel with some of the perks of an SUV. I love the tiptronic shifting as I had that in my BMW (okay, I broke down and a bought a car a couple of years ago!). The gas mileage averages 21.5 in town; much better than my last SUV!

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  Volvo - For Life - 2005 Volvo XC70
  By VolvoXCdriver - December 31 - 12:31 pm

  I loved my 2005 Volvo XC70. Everything about the car screamed quality. The swedes know how to build a car - the leather on the seats is very thick, very little plastic is used, and metal covers the exterior of the car. As much as I loved the car, I did have some issues with it. 1st, the siren went out and caused the sunroof to stop working (if you dont believe me, google it), and the check engine light came on once because the gas cap needed to be replaced. Neither of these issues cost very much money to fix, however. The car did have a little over 100,000 miles, so a few repairs are acceptable since Volvo cars will outlast any others if you take care of them. The other thing that I didnt like about the car was its fuel economy. I was averaging 21 MPG - might as well get an XC90. This car is really for those of us who dont buy into the SUV craze, but still need a light off-road vehicle with plenty of cargo space. The thing that really won me over on Volvo was safety. I know that in my XC70, I can rest assured knowing that I drive the safest car in the world. Look up "Volvo saved my life" and read the stories (CAUTION: You will never be able to drive another non-Volvo car if you do this :) I got a great deal on this car so I only bought it to re-sell it, but I ended up falling in love with the car. I would recommend the XC70 to anyone - in fact, I am buying a 2006 XC70 to replace my 2014 Camry Hybrid.

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  Best Kept Secret In Luxury Sedan Market - 2004 Volvo S80
  By AnClar - December 31 - 10:00 am

  Great car at a great price.

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  Volvo made it again! - 2005 Volvo V50
  By henrik - December 30 - 10:36 am

  A great car from Volco again! Now they have added some new things to their basket; fun and design now joins reliability and safety. Some minor flaws in the exterior design...otherwise; buy it!

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  Love That 1996 850 Turbo - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Mel - December 29 - 9:46 am

  Owned my Turbo 850 for one year. Its a used car so I had to replace the heating coil, an engine hose and stop a few oil leaks. To me, the cost was tolerable. In return, I now own a like- new Volvo. Let me tell you, on the highway, this baby runs like a cheetah. The turbo is a feature that one shouldnt be without. The car is very responsive. I bought the 850 because I, for one, like Volvos boxy style. The creature comforts are also topnotch. Theres ample head room for big guys like me. This car is a hybrid in that its an excellent family sedan, as well as a sporty car that women love. This is my second 1996 850 and I believe Ill purchase another one. I am hooked on 1996 Volvo 850s.