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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  XC 90 update - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By LHeineken - November 11 - 1:36 am

  Extremely comfortable to drive. Outstanding highway performance. Very reliable to date.Many passers-by cant identify the make of this car. They most often ask, "what is it?".

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  First Small Hatchback Followup - 2008 Volvo C30
  By lgibsonjr - November 10 - 3:43 am

  I purchased my C30 in December and after 9 months I wanted to provide a followup to my first review. Im still impressed with its performance, handling, and overall feel. More than a few times Ive needed the quick acceleration and my C30 has delivered without fail. Almost all my miles are city and zip around with a fairly heavy foot so Ive been getting around 20 mpg. Im sure I could get better if I were more conservative but thats not my style. If I had it to do over again would I buy the Volvo C30? Yes indeed.

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  Fun while it lasted - 2003 Volvo V70
  By Dave from DTown - November 9 - 12:53 pm

  I have absolutely loved driving this car. Very comfortable and so solid on the road. However at 101,000 miles the transmission must be completely replaced at a cost almost equal to the entire trade in value. At 7 years old, with this mileage, I no longer have a warranty, and will probably donate the car to charity. I love the car but think that maintenance costs have been excessive over the four years I have owned it. I probably wont buy another Volvo, but if I do I will get rid of it before the warranty runs out.

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  Great Car Joy to Drive - 2011 Volvo S60
  By volvoowner2 - November 9 - 5:57 am

  Been driving s60 2011 t6 for 2 months now. Great Car, really fun to drive Acceleration is awesome (thought about getting audi a5 but acceleration was weak, although great looking car). Able to blow past at almost any speed. the increase width and weight contributes to the feeling like you are hugging the road, very stable. Seat are super comfy/sporty - scandinavian thing. The onboard system pick up my iphone as soon as I get in the car - so my ipod play instanly over head. Stereo system is very high quality and sounds greatNice having rear seats drop down to give more space from the trunk. tereo system sounds amazing

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  The 2005 Volvo V50 is a Fin Car - 2005 Volvo V50
  By dan anderson - November 7 - 11:13 pm

  I have a family of four plus two dogs. We are stationed in Germany and tour Europe frequently. So far, this car has been perfect. We can load the entire family into it and travel anywhere in comfort and with good gas milage. Gas costs around 1.50 Euro per liter and with 3.8 liters to the gallon you need good gas mileage. On the autobahn this car gets to 120 MPH with out a problem can go much faster!!!!! It makes my BMW 525i look stupid on the twists and the autobahn. It is a good car i would by and I would definitely buy another.

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  disappointed - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Paul - November 7 - 8:53 pm

  This is a great looking car that has a number of design flaws and reliability issues. The turning radius is way too large, the low profile tires fail at an alarming rate as do various bulbs. The warning lights for the bulb failures override all other info until fixed whereas the low gas indicator is invisible. The radio/sound controls are counter- intuitive. There are a number of rattles that I cannot find/fix. Most annoying is that the dealership, Dalzell Volvo, Dedham Mass. They either defend the design or lie about the problems. Dealer: "Low profile tire flats, never heard of it." Tire store: "Low profile tires are definitely more prone to road hazard damage."

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  S60R Demands Respect - 2004 Volvo S60
  By D., Kleronomos - November 7 - 10:00 am

  In recent years I have owned a BMW M3, Audi S4 and the Volvo S60R. This car can run with the best. The seats are Lazy Boy comfortable. The adjustable suspension lets you go from easy driving to hard sport driving with the push of a button. If you want to push this car, it will really go. The only complaints I have are the pedal location (gas and brake pedal are too close together for a size 11.5 shoe), some minor turbo lag, and the lack of a quality cup holder for your morning coffee. It is not as sporty as either the M3 or S4, but it has more room and daily driveability. I am very happy with my purchase.

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  BEST PICK CAR OF 2004 - 2004 Volvo S40
  By Robert Molinar - November 7 - 10:00 am

  I have recently purchased my 2004.5 Volvo T5 and it was the best choice I could have made. This car amazes me everyday I insert the nifty key fob and start that 2.5L turbo engine. I would and have recommended this car to many other people and ones that have had the chance to drive mine have said they would DEFINATELY consider buying a volvo for their next car.

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  Everything I wanted!!! - 2004 Volvo S80
  By nicci - November 7 - 10:00 am

  I have had two other volvos in the past. My last one was the 850 turbo. I did alot of research before I bought this car and have been nothing but pleased with my decision. The car is everything I wanted! It is fun, safe and beautiful. What a ride! The car gets alot of looks and many compliments. It rides smooth and is so comfortable. I just get in it and ride around the block just because it feels so awesome. Volvos are pure class and I feel I couldnt have picked any better! Treat yourself and go get one and Enjoy what life has to offer!

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  Best vehicle Ive ever owned! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Mary - November 6 - 12:46 am

  My XC90 gets 20.8 MPG on the highway, and about 19 MPG in the city. It has always been solid and reliable in the rain and even occasional ice storm. It burns regular, is great for making large item shoppoing trips, has plenty of power for acceleration and passing, and it handles better than my previous Mercedes CLK 320! Something to keep in mind about gas mileage is that you have to let the car break in! This car only got 14.5 MPG for about the first 3 weeks of regular driving, but the benefits were definitely worth the wait.