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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  Great Alternative! - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By MicMadden - June 29 - 2:00 am

  We have had gas-guzzling Range Rovers and Suburbans prior to our Cross Country and we really appreciate the total functionality of this wagon. It took us through a blizzard, navigating unplowed roads with 24 inches of new snow without a problem. In fact, we could not think of another car we would rather have been in. It is very comfortable and has good road manners. It is attractively styled if you select the right color to offset the racoon mask front cladding. Why pay a premium for the XC90? I guess if you need a 7 seater it might make sense.

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  V50 T5 AWD - 2005 Volvo V50
  By KW - June 27 - 8:30 am

  Have had my V50 for about 8 months now. I still love to drive home from work each day. The engine is responsive, the handling great and feel is solid. Test drove many other makes (Audi, BMW and VW) and with thier lease options couldnt even come close to the value of the Volvo. I have most all the options except for the sport package and navigation. Recommend the upgraded stereo, sounds fantastic. So far, no complaints just that their is not that much room for storing things. Best of all I feel like I am driving a bank vault!!

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  Excellent car - 2001 Volvo S80
  By Jonnie44 - June 26 - 12:36 pm

  I have owned the car for 3 years now (purchased as a used car), and have had no problems. The car now has 150k miles on it with the original transmission, and it hasnt missed a beat. I have only had to have the DSTC unit replaced ($800.00) and the brake master cylinder ($550.00), and I was able to do both jobs myself (neither was very difficult). I get 27 mpg hwy and 22 around town. I liked the car so much, that I have just purchased another one. I did have a problem with the radio reception, but I was able to fix it with a Volvo TSB that involved adding a brass strip to the antenna module, and now its crystal clear. Also have not seen any corrosion problems with any of these models.

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  V50 - Outstanding Car - 2006 Volvo V50
  By SR - June 25 - 6:10 am

  Get the sport package and you will not believe the handling...better than 325i.

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  Traded 2000 S40 for 2004 S40 - 2004 Volvo S40
  By Mark Gray - June 23 - 10:00 am

  I just traded my 2000 S40 for a 2004 S40. The dealer and the automobile are 1st Class. The small things I did not like about my 2000 such as location of window and mirror controls and cup holders have been improved greatly. The car also has a 5 speed automatic now and is much smoother and quiter. Some slight body changes make the car better than the 2000 model. A great car has been made almost perfect! Perfect would require about 200HP and 200lbs.ft. torque.

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  Best Deal for Third Row - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By pab - June 23 - 10:00 am

  Wanted a 3rd row but owned the Tahoe which was a little too large. Great interior, easy to use third row. Love the car.

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  Great so far - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Max - June 20 - 6:26 pm

  I am completely happy with the xc60 so far. Both the exterior and interior styling are great and the ride quality is nice. I have encountered a few minor quirks which I hope will fix themselves (the doors didnt lock once when I started moving, the optional collision warning sounded once when there was no one near me, and a little piece of plastic fell off the tailgate that I simply had to pop back on). Other than those very minor problems, I love the car and am completely happy with the purchase.

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  Fantastic car! - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Julia S. - June 18 - 10:00 am

  Ok, so Ive had the car for less than a week. I absolutely love it. The 2.5T S60 2004 has incredible styling, power, and luxury. Ive never owned a Volvo, but between the super experience at the dealer and the car itself, Ill be buying Volvos for a long, long time. Its a luxury car without the high price. I was torn between the S60 and a Honda Accord. No contest. The S60 is better built, drives better, and its not what everyone else is driving! Yet.

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  A Great SUV! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Saber - June 18 - 10:00 am

  A quality SUV that gets great gas mileage for a SUV. Has a small feel driving the vehicle with a lot of room to carry passengers and/or cargo. Also feel very safe in the XC90.

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  Great Ride - 2011 Volvo XC70
  By dronepro - June 16 - 5:06 pm

  You know when you really like a car and you wish you had it. But, you wish its as good as you expect it... This is, it blew me away. Probably the finest, most fun ride.