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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  Safe and solid ride - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Scarlett435 - February 20 - 11:33 am

  I love my Volvo SUV! Wish I would have purchased it with the GPS already installed. Have replaced all 4 tires, front & back brakes, front & back rotares, upper engine mount all before 75K miles! But I still love the vehicle.

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  Really Nice Ride - 2017 Volvo XC90
  By Run_Forest_Run - February 18 - 4:49 pm

  I traded in my VW Touareg Executive, which I loved, for the Volvo. I looked at the Audi Q7, Jag F Pace, and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Lexus dont like the look. BWM, Range Rover, and Benz are not client friendly. I have had 2 X5s and a Super Charged Range Rover (the big boy) so I have driven them extensively. Volvo really out did themselves with the XC 90. The car is super quiet, has a nice ride, the 4 cylinder engine is surprisingly good, and the XC is loaded with technology. Mine has the stock sound system, which frankly is excellent, I wouldnt blow the $2,600 on the upgrade unless you really are a hardcore audiophile. The HUD option, which I would not have ordered, was in the stock vehicle they had, it is okay, but you cant see it with polarized sunglasses! So that seems stupid to me. The self drive mode cool, but likely wont use much, the lane departure nudging constantly is a bit of an annoyance, but I will give it time to get used to. Headlights are insanely bright. The Ipadish controls are a nice clean look, easy to use, and overall seems like a nice option compared to say the Audis control system and their ridicules pop up screen. This is a high end Crossover. If it is not on the list to test drive and check out youre leaving out a great vehicle.

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  2008 S40 easy choice after accident - 2008 Volvo S40
  By Jeff - February 16 - 3:40 am

  Last year a huge chunk of steel fell off a truck and bounced into my lane while I was traveling about 60mph on an interstate. My 2006 S40 was totaled but I only had a sore back for a couple of weeks. Having been an auto appraiser for 6 years I consider myself an expert on assessing damage. I am sure I would have had a major injury in most other cars of any size. I was so impressed with the way the car took the accident that my first choice was a 2008 S40. I have had my 2008 about a year now and love it!

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  Fun to drive! - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Britian - February 13 - 2:10 am

  Im loving my volvo! Ive had it for almost a year and 3 STRANGERS have asked me if they can hop in the front seat while I was pumping gas! What a car. It definitely turns heads and did I mention it was FUN TO DRIVE?!

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  This is a great car! - 2003 Volvo V40
  By isabelle - February 13 - 2:00 am

  What a great car. We recently went to look at the XC70 and didnt really like it as much. The V40 is comfortable, practical, and so fun to drive.

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  Another Killer Volvo - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By MRF2 - February 13 - 2:00 am

  My first impression upon hearing about the new Volvo SUV was that an otherwise respectable company had finally given in to the demand of these unsafe, irresponsible, environmentally wreckless, overall nast vehicles. Well, I was wrong about this one! This car has all the great SUV attributes without the nastiness Ive mentioned above. The exterior/interior design is better then anyone else, and looks every bit as good as the BMW X5. The interior is different, but in a quite revolutionary way. Best of all, it drives and rides incredibly well.

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  New Car fun - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By zandybeach - February 13 - 2:00 am

  Its finally arrived...a vehicle that is incredibly safe, very comfortable and a joy to drive. Im so happy Volvo has decided to get some style!

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  Best car for the money! - 2006 Volvo S40
  By Kennedy - February 12 - 8:36 pm

  I have had 47 cars and I really like the way this car handles. Best dealership in town. I would highly recommend this car if you are in the market! Very comfortable, reliable, dependable and the interior is awesome!

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  Listen to Drivers, not Consumer gurus - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By John from KY - February 10 - 1:20 pm

  Bought new in 9/04. Have 41000+ miles. 2.5T w/AWD way to go. 5 speed trans and 2.5 has plenty of power and is smooth in the city. Turbo jumps in and performs well. Mileage 19.1 over last 10,000 city and hwy. Looked and drove a myriad of other new mid-size SUVs. This vehicle is extremely easy to handle, gets excellent mileage for its weight,and all safety features offers peace of mind. (AWD, Xenon, Back Up warning) Very comfortable, and 7500 mile service interval a big plus. Brakes only 30% wear, tires (Michelin) good for 25,000 more. No ones going to pry this one out of my hands until it has 200,000 on it. Then its off for another Volvo. Dealer service absolutely impeccable.

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  Great Car/ - 1999 Volvo S80
  By JohninKnox - February 9 - 1:26 am

  I had been looking at an E320. I feel this car has all the features and more compared to the E320 and 5 series BMW. Very Very happy with great, ultra quiet and power for the interstates.