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:

• 

  Swedish heaven - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By James - July 7 - 5:26 am

  One word AWESOME oh ya and 2016 SUV of the year!

• 

  ....good value - 2006 Volvo S60
  By Cable knit sweater - July 6 - 3:03 pm

  When the lease on my Saab 9-3 recently expired I researched available replacements. The "usual suspects" from Japan, Germany and Sweden.... The Volvo S-60T met my needs. We have owned 3 Volvos in the past and have been satisfied. The combination of features, adding the Luxury and Sport packages, and price incentives at the time of lease, were not matched by the competition. Front seat comfort is exemplary , rear seat legroom is tight, though the seats themselves are comfortable. The handling is excellent, ride comfortable and fit and finish is flawless. After one month I am thoroughly satisfied.

• 

  Reasonable Mid-life Crisis - 2008 Volvo V50
  By Mark - July 6 - 3:00 pm

  Fun to drive. Nice test drive around Horsetooth Res. Have driven to numerous Frontrange ski areas in bad weather, car was great. Stability control saved car at I-70 and Dumont. I have Gecko green with Sparticus wheels. Exterior is sharp. Interior comfortable

• 

  Love my C70 - 2007 Volvo C70
  By Rick - July 5 - 1:16 pm

  This is my first Volvo and I had concerns about quality prior to my purchase. So far the car has performed well, no visits to the dealership except for routine work The car has a very solid feel and is quiet, not even a rattle. Biggest problem has been getting to drive it! My wife and 3 sons prefer this to our Lexus EX 330 and Acura TL.

• 

  Performance Bargain - 2004 Volvo S40
  By Michael - July 5 - 7:26 am

  Ive been driving this car for about a month and I love it. It makes my commute enjoyable instead of it being a drudgery. The Volvo S40 handles like its on rails, stuck to the road like glue.Really comfortable. The car feels so solid and well built. The 5 cylinder engine has a surprising amount of power. It really takes off when you punch the accelerator, and yet, fuel economy is better than my Honda Accord. Im averaging about 32 mpg on the highway. I wish I had bought this car a long time ago!

• 

  Great Car - 2006 Volvo S40
  By Mary - July 4 - 7:43 am

  Driving is fun, safety is superb, look is sleek...as my 20 year old son told me..."Mom, you got yourself a sexy little car!"

• 

  I Always Smile - 2004 Volvo S60
  By yoyoman - July 2 - 10:00 am

  Itll be my one year anniversary with my R ... and I still smile everytime I turn the ignition :) Fast, good looks .... and sooo comfortable The car is a rocket on the highway ... and hugs corners like a dream. But what goes on with the squeeky brakes??

• 

  Love this wagon! - 2001 Volvo V70
  By gm in TX - July 1 - 11:33 pm

  I bought the Volvo after driving guzzlers -- a Suburban and a Sequoia. What sold me, however, was the built in booster seats for my kiddos. (They can get in and out and buckle all by themselves now, and no more lugging around big booster seats!) It is very smooth, quick and super in the rain. My brakes squeak because the dealer replaced them when I bought them with cheaper ones than volvo would have. My husband, who is an SUV man, actually loves driving this car.

• 

  1996 Volvo 850 Turbo Sedan - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Volvo 850 Turbo - June 29 - 12:00 pm

  Great Car...

• 

  Extremely Reliable - 1996 Volvo 850
  By TG894 - June 29 - 2:00 am

  I have owned 5 volvos and everyone of them have been great cars