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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  Best car yet - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Todd - March 6 - 6:16 pm

  Excellent service at the dealor. Car is the best car Ive owned so far! Fun driving, reliable, safe and sharp looking.

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  My Volvo - 2004 Volvo S60
  By drlcrane - March 2 - 10:00 am

  Coming from a Nissan Maxima(2000) I was used to good accerleration and handling. I found that my S602.5T was all that and more. An extremely solid feeling car which still had good handling and more than adequate power. The seats are excellent and I look foward to having the car for many years.

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  BEATS THE X5 - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By ericave - March 2 - 10:00 am

  If you want a car the thinks its an SUV, then the XC90 is for you. Theres no other explanation for it, its the first SUV thats more car than most cars. About 99.9% of SUV owners are never going to take their SUVs off- road, so why pay for all those extras you dont need. For the urban jungle the XC90 is perfect, with the X5 coming in at second, look at all the reviews.

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  Volvo or Ford? - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Drew - March 2 - 12:00 am

  This is my first Volvo, I have enjoyed it, however have had a few problems. The paint job on the window surrounds fell off and the plastic strips had to be replaced. A couple of spots on the hood where the paint has bubbled too. The bearings needed to be replaced once on the rear and twice on the front end.

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  Awesome car!!! - 1998 Volvo S70
  By Dan - February 28 - 1:56 pm

  I bought this Volvo for $6500 with 131,000 miles. Im a college student and needed a vehicle that will get from point A to point B. This car is amazing! Nobody believes it has as many miles as it does. The acceleration is unreal as is the fuel economy. ON the highway I can get 31mpg! Reliablity, well Ive only put 1000 miles on it and it runs like a rock. Very comfortable and overall great vehicle.

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  Excellence in most areas except the NAVI - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By woodinva - February 28 - 2:48 am

  Purchased this vehicle as replacement for Wifes 1999 Ford Explorer (350K miles). Wanted a Boron steel cocoon for the wife, Excellent Safety rating. Xenon lights and decent gas mileage. I got that and more. Upgraded my car to Polestar rating (software upgrade) My car came with Sirius Satellite and currently get 20.8mpg with plus (89) gasoline with ethanol can get up to 23 mpg if I use strictly (non ethanol gas and clamp down on my lead foot!) Navi system ( does not work efficiently but one must buy this to get backup rear camera) Honestly.. buying a Garmin convertible works better then the currently installed cumbersome system which requires you use a remote control & is flawed.

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  2 years later - 2008 Volvo C30
  By lgibsonjr - February 27 - 2:10 am

  I purchased my C30 new in December 2007. Over two years later I still love this car. If it werent for routine maintenance I wouldnt know how well the service department at my Volvo dealer operates. My C30 still delivers in the city and on the highway. Im 49 years old, have had alot of cars, but this has to rate as my best yet.

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  T6 AWD Rocks! - 2013 Volvo XC70
  By greaves - February 25 - 3:05 am

  Got this car to replace my 2006 Highlander. What a difference. Great power, comfort and quality. Drove the car on a 4000 mile vacation and averaged 23.6MPG-much better than I had expected. The comfort of the front seats is exceptional. I like the understated design of the car. Friends and family were surprised by my purchase but once they rode in the car they were bowled over. I feel very secure in the car at high speeds.

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  A good car with some things to know - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Erik - February 24 - 7:50 pm

  I love this car. The suspension is not sporty and the seats are like home theater recliners, so I get a nice comfortable ride. At 64" 230 I fit easily in the front seats. The fuel economy is also surprisingly strong, I get about 27 MPG. So what are the drawbacks? The electrical system hasnt cost me any large dollar figure, but I always seem to have to replace bulbs. And when replacing a front head lamp, be careful, the housing is brittle and easily broken. Also, adults cant fit very easily in the back seat. Im glad I bought it, but I will look for something with a little more engine kick and a more spacious back seat in my next ride.

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  Hate this car - 2007 Volvo XC70
  By Marie in Atlanta - February 24 - 1:00 pm

  Had the worst experience with this car than any other car I have owned. After 35,000 miles car broke down due to a fuel sensor. Had to wait for 3 hour in over 100 degree wather for Volvos road side assistance. Had to drive 75 miles to pick up the car only to get almost home for it to break again. Now the back seat seatbelt is not working and have to go up to the dealership again. Paid to have tires rotated, service did not do this. 35000 miles on the car and I need new tires. I do not drive cars hard and we always keep up with oil changes, tire rotation etc. I am a working mom who has to do the school run. However I recently feel every time I get in the car, there is a problem.