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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  Volvo for Life - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Stell - October 23 - 5:26 pm

  I have owned my S60 since 2001, just hit 70k miles. It has been reliable and saved my life in a highway spinout at 70+mph. I have been lightly rear-ended twice and I felt nothing, barely any damage, this car holds up and I feel SAFE! It does well on gas mileage for long highway trips but is a total gas guzzler in the city. It performs well in winter weather. I change the oil every 3500 miles and keep up routine maintenance. Car is really spacious and the trunk holds a lot. Overall it has been a reliable, safe, easy-to-drive car and I receive many complement on its looks.

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  We love it. - 2005 Volvo V50
  By dmhsg - October 22 - 8:10 pm

  Overall, a great wagon. This was my mid-life-crisis-leave-the-Sequoia-at- home-car: fun to drive but still goes up the ski hill, holds a kayak and dogs in the back. We bought the T5 AWD, with most upgrades except stereo and DVD. More headroom than 325ix, performance on par with Audi/BMW wagons for considerably less money. Rides a bit choppy in city, which is OK (and were on 16 inch wheels), but tends to roll just slightly in spirited cornering unlike BMWs. Turbo thrust is even and strong. Performance on snow is fantastic. No problems. Go for the T5 AWD. In hindsight, Id get the stereo and DVD NAV. By George, this wagon is a winner for Volvo.

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  Great used car value - 2000 Volvo S70
  By coldax - October 22 - 1:03 pm

  Purchased 3/08 w/122K miles. Now 4/09 and 150K and no major repairs. Previous owner took good care of it, so if you shop for one make sure it was maintained. Mine has non-turbo engine, delivering 28mpg and less maint. issues. Seats are outstanding. Feels very safe inside. Nice blend of luxury and sporty looks. Car does not look 9 years old at all. Huge trunk and fold flat seats. My SE has leather, wood trim, 8 speaker stereo that sounds fantastic, heated mirrors, etc. I added a K&N drop-in air filter ($40-helps with mileage and acceleration), also added strut bar to help w/body roll in corners ($50 on ebay). I recommend for safety, comfort, looks & value: cost $35K new, mine was $3200!

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  Agree with "volvodriver" - 2000 Volvo V70
  By Spoiled Mom - October 20 - 10:00 am

  Same problem as "volvodriver" The clunking is REAL. Dealer cant duplicate it either. Headrest is too forward especially when my hear is tied back. Engine noise loud, especially when ACs on. Bought car for safety/reliablity, so far has lived up to expectations. Saved my life and two girls when I couldnt avoid running over tire tread at 80mph. With an 18 wheeler on my side I had no where to go but over it. Great breaking slowed us down quickly and car handled perfect leaving tire in the dust. Very scary! Wont drive anything else. But I have been eyeballing the XC90.

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  This is a car that is fun to drive - 2006 Volvo V50
  By naa1946 - October 16 - 12:46 pm

  I went from an XC70 AWD to this car because I wanted a more spirited car. I got what I wanted. It is terrific to drive, comfortable and gets good mileage. This is a great car if you find yourself commuting alone.

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  A happy first-time Volvo owner - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Victor Kilo - October 16 - 12:56 am

  Never owned a high performance luxury sedan before..looked at many models. S60R fit the bill in terms of performance, style and price. Have owned it 4 months now, no complaints. Powerful, stealthy...and COMFORTABLE. This is a solid car. I have the 6spd manual w/17 in. wheels...you can get very good gas mileage with this car if youre not constantly leadfooting...which is hard to do considering the horsepower and the overall fun of driving the car. On my drive to work (25 miles one way) I can average 30+ mpg easily. Turbos are great for this, you can tweak the mileage in your favor if you drive it gently..but hey, who wants to always do that? You have to let it GO sometimes :-)

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  2009 Volvo C70 T5 Convertible - 2009 Volvo C70
  By oak7 - October 14 - 10:06 am

  I have had my C70 for two months. Most of that time the weather has been nasty - snow, cold, wet, with a few days of nice weather (Typical pre-spring in Alabama). So far I love it. Drives great, comfortable (54 miles one way commute) with plenty of power. Car has 110,000 and I have had to replace an axle and wheel bearing but its good now. Awesome looks and very unique. Car has plenty of room inside and four adults have ridden comfortably, though getting in and out takes a bit of practice. Love my C70.

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  AWDs At Its Best - 2003 Volvo V70
  By jcontardo - October 13 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is SOLID. It feels substantial to drive and exudes safety. The doors have the definative THUD when closing and we feel secure even in the heaviest weather. Our 97 850T5 may have had more HP but this wagon has enough turbo to shock most soccer moms at the red lights. We got a great deal from Portland (ME) Volvo and havent had one problem with it after 4500 miles. Great Vehicle!

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  great car - 2004 Volvo V70
  By basil - October 13 - 10:00 am

  i drove this car daily to work and use it to haul our dogs and house and yard needs and purchased. we have never had problem. recently another driver hit our car from the front and did quite a bit of damage. no one was hurt and we hardly felt the crash. the only change i would make to this car is to make the shoulder belt adjustable. for shorter people the belt hits right up against the neck.

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  Great Car! - 2003 Volvo S60
  By Ldolph - October 13 - 10:00 am

  Got the S60ASR six months and 10K miles ago. Loved everyminute of it. I do lots of highway driving for my job and its a pleasure to cruise in. Quiet cabin, great standard sound system, plenty of get-up-and-go power. Love the distinctive styling. Ive had a ton of compliments - "Thats a VOLVO??--COOL!"