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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  Awesome car - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Brad - October 2 - 4:40 am

  Just picked up a new S60 2.5T in June, and it is one of the best sport-lux sedans out there. We were able to get every option (minus the nav) for a much better price than the BMWs & Audis we tested. And it is just as satisfying of a driving experience as the BMW (which is awesome to drive as well). The Volvo dealer had amazing levels of service, and the car definitely looks the best out of all the models we tested (BMW 3 and 5, Audi 4 & 6). The interior is a bit small (we tested the S80 too- much bigger), but it really works. This car is a blast to drive, and is great for turning heads in the driveway and on the road. Great car, go get one!

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  Mixed Impressions - 2005 Volvo S40
  By rsb - October 2 - 2:56 am

  Overall I am very satisfied with the performance and build. Not too satisfied with the A/C performance -- even after software update, A/C does not always switch on correctly. Clutch pedal making noise even after greasing. Trunk had problems with the lock.

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  Its a great car. - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By esm - October 1 - 2:00 am

  The car is great but there needs to be more storage area.

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  best new car I have owned - 2006 Volvo S40
  By andre - October 1 - 12:13 am

  This car is great. I needed a reliable car and was sick of my 99 passat 1.8T breaking down all the time. Went to the dealership Portland Volvo in Maine. Sales guy was great, before and after the sale. I purchased a base model. It still has all the features I wanted. There is plenty of power in the 2.4i engine and it saves on gas. After 10 years of VWs I am switching to Volvo. Last thing, you cannot get a car for under 25K that has all the safety features that the Volvo has.

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  Good but not a great car. - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Maxr - September 29 - 8:03 pm

  Good car we have had this car for almost 7 years so far it is a good enjoyable car so far the brakes are squeaking we have put it in to many repair shops but it is still squeaking but like all volvos it is safe and/or good in comfort

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  Dont Buy a Volvo - 1999 Volvo S70
  By Fish - September 29 - 10:00 am

  The car looks great and runs great, when it runs. In the four months Ive owned it it has been back to the dealership 5 times. Everything that need to be fixed was minor but the fact that it needed to be fixed at all was incredibly unacceptable. When they say Volvo certified, DONT BELIEVE THEM!

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  Awesome - 2012 Volvo XC60
  By dr_az - September 29 - 5:06 am

  Just got my T6R in cosmic white metallic, its beautiful. now my wife wants one in red. I commute almost 1.5 hr a day. The car makes the commute so enjoyable, passing cars with ease all the while sitting in those so comfy seats listening to Pandora from my iPhone streamed through the speakers. Also appreciate the fact that after a long hard day at work going home in this car makes me feel safe with all the wonderful safety features. I also love the fact that the the car is rare, compared to the X3s, Q 5s, GLKs, SRXs and forget about the millions of RX350s. Volvo also has the best warrantee in this class. This is a no brainier, if you can find one..

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  Go for a long test drive - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By missi4 - September 28 - 12:09 am

  After a week of driving the XC60, I noticed a problem with the transmission, a hesitation when accelerating from a complete stop/speeding up to pass etc. Like driving manual transmission in the wrong gear. Took it for service repetedly. Volvo wouldnt admit a problem and told me to use premium fuel. One mechanic said its a 5000lb car you have to gun it (!!). Finally they said they knew what was wrong and to wait for a software update, that took 6 months. It helped but the problem was still there. Volvo went back to saying there was nothing wrong with the car. After a year, I had had it and asked how much they would give me for the car to end this, Carmax gave me more. The GPS stinks too.

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  Just love them Swedes - 2004 Volvo S40
  By Brian Brodowsky - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I have had this vehicle for a few months. I have driven a 3 series BMW in the past and it is very comprible to both the look/sleekness and the ride. The appointments on the interior are beautiful...sleek new dash, greatleather seating,overall controls. The interior is so well made and not cheesy at all. What a hot car

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  Powerful Family Tourer - 2004 Volvo V70
  By Bon006 - September 26 - 10:00 am

  The V70R is an extremely quick and agile wagon. Combining comfort and athleticism in one package. In addition, Volvos world renown attention to safety is unsurpassed. This car is awesome, it has world class acceleration and braking that make it hard to beat.