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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  all eyes on me - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By shells - April 10 - 11:13 am

  we drove just about every luxury crossover on the market, and eventually came down to the XC60 and the Audi Q5 (which seems to be a common decision). we chose the XC60 for its looks, space, drive, price, and features. this car is definitely a looker and so fun to drive with its 281 horsepower T6 engine. perfect for young families with up to 2 young kids, current offer of 5 years scheduled maintenance wonderful!

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  awsome - 2003 Volvo S80
  By susan poe - April 10 - 2:00 am

  i just got this S80 a couple of days ago and i love it! its very fast and almost as fast as an audi A8 but half the price

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  Wow - 2008 Volvo C30
  By annabelle - April 10 - 12:26 am

  I struggled between getting a Mini Cooper S and this car, and couldnt be happier with my choice. Add fun factor to smoother ride, a powerful motor, great sound system and easy to use. Suddenly, I love to drive! And lets not forget ergonomic seats (great on long drives) and good trunk space, especially with seats down - fit a massage table, luggage for two, gifts and a large reclining beach chair no problem!

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  safe and reliable car - 1996 Volvo 850
  By kcc - April 8 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car used for my daughters last year in high school and to take her into the college years. Not one thing has gone wrong with this car. I was lucky to have purchased it from someone who had meticulously taken care of it, taking it to all scheduled maintenance at a volvo service dept., and had always garaged it. I have had previous older volvos, and by far the 850 has been the best and most reliable out of the bunch.

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  Hot Car - Always gets an audience! - 2007 Volvo C70
  By Tom - April 8 - 4:36 am

  Where do I begin? I have had 6 red cars and 4 different convertibles in the past 30 years. I wouldnt trade this one for all of them. Everywhere I go, people ask me about it and compliment its appearance. It is fun to drive, looks hot, and I have had only a couple of minor service issues (I am at 37000 now) and the dealer bent over backwards to correct them. This is my 2nd C70 and they really improved it over the old rag top version. Its quiet, doesnt leak in the rain, and i have the top dowm most of the time! Buy one and go get a date!

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  First Volvo-Love It!! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By cj - April 3 - 8:03 pm

  Overall, love my 2004 Volvo. Great sound system, navigation system, comfortable seats and love the 3rd row option. Radio controls and temperature gages are easy to read and use. Only complaint I have with Volvo is mechanically they make great cars..but guys, why cheat on the small things. My rear windshield wiper has already broken, my passenger visor light burned out, driver/mid back area adjuster broke inside my seat (6 mo after purchase of car). With such overall great quality of car, use those standards all the way around.

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  Silky & Smooth beauty - 2003 Volvo S80
  By yelled - March 30 - 10:00 am

  I think the person who complained about the "born with" nose, not enough power to accelerate into traffic, and heavy steering wheel must got a real lemon or not talking about the same car. Steering is actually on the lighter side for Eurpean cars. Its quiet and smooth even over NYC pot-holes. Avoiding them is just as fun. No problems what so ever so far and I am keeping my fingers crossed. I like this car over often troublesome and stiff BMWs. Especially when my neighbors BMW gets stuck during snow. I love floating by with my cushy seats with fwd.

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  Silky & Smooth beauty - 2003 Volvo S80
  By yelled - March 30 - 10:00 am

  I think the person who complained about the "born with" nose, not enough power to accelerate into traffic, and heavy steering wheel must got a real lemon or not talking about the same car. Steering is actually on the lighter side for Eurpean cars. Its quiet and smooth even over NYC pot-holes. Avoiding them is just as fun. No problems what so ever so far and I am keeping my fingers crossed. I like this car over often troublesome and stiff BMWs. Especially when my neighbors BMW gets stuck during snow. I love floating by with my cushy seats with fwd.

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  2002 s40 review - 2002 Volvo S40
  By Markkor - March 30 - 10:00 am

  This a fun car to drive with adequate power and very good gas mileage. Nothing beats Volvo seats for comfort and protection. The radio and air cond. work fine. I like the trip computer and the sunroof. The ride is smooth but a little noisy from the air at the windows. Transmision is generally smooth except when slowing down to a stop. I use regular gas.

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  Oh, not bad - 2003 Volvo S40
  By JOHN LEE - March 30 - 10:00 am

  We test drove VW Passat, and Jetta. Both vehicles had a higher price tag. The S40 is by far a better car. Good power and the handleing is excellent for a Front Wheel drive car.