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:

• 

  Lovin it - 2007 Volvo S40
  By Rick - December 2 - 4:33 pm

  I am blown away with the comfort of my car. It has virtually no road noise and the sound system rocks. I love my Volvo.

• 

  [Review by Jim] - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Jm - November 30 - 6:16 am

  I have a roof vibration that seems to have been resolved for the time being. I love the tight handling performance and accesibility into the back. There is an uncomfortable edge on the steering wheel in the design that I dont care for. The seats are VERY comfortable and I have a bad back, so I know! I wish the back seats were heated also. The GPS could be easier to use without all of the current steps necessary now. I wish the rear, side windows could vent open for the pets as they do in the Lexus. I wish also that the side mirrors would dim with the rearview interior mirror. There is a bad blind spot in the design that could be improved. I love this car even though I would change a bit.

• 

  Love This Car - 1999 Volvo V70
  By Speed Mom - November 30 - 2:00 am

  Great car! Almost no mechanical problems. Handles beautifully. Comfy for long road trips. Hauls dogs, kids, canoes, stuff. Goes like stink!

• 

  My best Volvo yet (out of 8!) - 1999 Volvo V70
  By Dr Rick - November 29 - 3:10 pm

  This black rocket is nearing the 200,000 mile mark, and I cant wait to get her 200K merit badge. Like any Volvo, I can ride for 12 hours and feel like its just been 2. Ive done every service recommended and find the car a tremendously economical vehicle. In fact, I went beyond that and replaced everything at 150,000, with the intention of keeping it for a long, long time. I am now doing routine services myself, which I am finding incredibly easy with the help of friendly folks on the Internet. A new heater blower cost me $100 (eBay) for a new one and 15 minutes -- seriously! -- of my time. Who needs a Volvo dealership?! I should have been doing this several Volvos ago!!!

• 

  Best car in my 30 years of driving! - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By greatjohndini - November 28 - 1:39 pm

  I created an account just to review this car for anyone on the fence or evaluating cars in this class. I traded in my Infiniti EX35 for this car and I will never look back. Audi Q5 looked boring and audi/vw has a lot of issues. BMW X3 too small-image of driving a beemer:( And weird styling. Lexus.-comfortable but boring. Infinti.Was good but WAY too small and was not aging well after less than a year. And it felt -light?- VOLVO XC60. Totally solid car. I held back on it before because the audio/nav in the 09-10 was an absolute JOKE..but the 2011 version is great! Perfect! European. Safe. Best looking of the bunch. And 5/60 maintenance on everything but the tires! In love w/ driving again!

• 

  Whats with the lights! - 2002 Volvo S80
  By Cavpilot - November 27 - 8:03 pm

  What a beautiful car! We get lots of complements on looks and styling. Its fun to drive and with the T6 Turbo, it can get up an go with the best Europe has to offer. Very comfortable, great heated seats and the sound system is can really crank it out. It rides like a dream and handles well too. Overall we are pretty pleased with the car. Now the BAD NEWS....We have had the car for 3 years and it has been in the shop more than 10 times for a variety of problems. The biggest offenders are the head lights and daytime running lights. We have had them replaced no less than five times. The front brakes had to be replaced at 35K miles, which seems a little early for normal driving.

• 

  Best value! - 2005 Volvo S80
  By Kelly - November 27 - 10:13 am

  This has been my 2nd volvo and theres no other car I would buy. In 2003 I was in a 40 mph head on collision with a BMW and this car held up. My car was totaled however my life was spared. Until that day, I didnt relize how safe volvos were. It really is the BEST car out there. You can never put a price on your life.

• 

  So far, GREAT! - 2004 Volvo S40
  By Timscotland - November 23 - 2:00 am

  My wife drives a V70 D5 a car I have been very impressed by. I am now middle aged and therefore have been required to go for a sensible car. My Honda Accord TypeR had to go and I have to be a grown up :-( Enter an S40 T5 so much torque, quiet (great news after the Honda) 30mpg at 90mph I love this car. Even running in, resticted to 3000rpm, you are traveling at 90+ but as the milage goes on (now at 1100 in 10 days) the engine gets better and better. The 6 speed gearbox is smooth and precise, better even than the Honda with its award winning box, even if 6 speeds are unnessisary with the car.

• 

  Loving IT - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By duncan yeung - November 23 - 2:00 am

  Car is fun to drive and I didnt know this car has a such great performance until I attended the volvo experience in Fontana. Driving the same model car through the track, I believe I made a good decision. Reliable, Stylish, Comfortable and luxurish. All in one! Except certain software bug--Trip Odometer reset itself.

• 

  The best SUV - it had to be a Volvo - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By ig_mb - November 23 - 2:00 am

  This car is the best car I ever had. It drives beautifully and the ride is wonderfully quiet. The engine is powerful and wants to play. Push the gas and feel the dual turbos push you into the seat! It is also the safest truck on the street, both for its occupants and for other cars. If that werent enough, it turns heads on the street and parking lots alike. I cant count how many strangers have complimented me the car.