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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  Love my new car - 2012 Volvo XC70
  By aptje14 - November 8 - 8:11 am

  My family loves this Wagon. Perfect daily driver for people with kids and pets. Comfortable on long trips. Safety features are very important to my family and this car doesnt disappoint. This Volvo Wagon is effortless to drive and I look forward to any excuse for a road trip.

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  Good, Safe Car - 2009 Volvo S40
  By Tom - November 7 - 10:43 am

  This is the third Volvo I have had and it continues to be a fun, safe car to drive. My previous Volvo was totaled in a serious accident, and my child and myself walked away relatively unhurt. The safety features and peace of mind are why you buy a Volvo. The 2009 model is more expensive, but the standard equipment is wonderful. With the warranty being four years and the maintenance coming for 3 years, it is still a good value compared to lower priced competitors. Volvo for life!

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  Pulled into a Volvo dealer on a whim ..then bought - 2012 Volvo S60
  By zugisland - November 4 - 8:52 pm

  Just bought my S60 after looking and driving many other vehicles.!st the others. Lexus ct200 hybrid interior cabin too small at 6ft my head was hitting cieling also there is much concern about this cars performance in the winter . Audi A5 , this would have been the primary competetion to the S60 purchase and although the A5 might be a tad handsomer and its feature set is also maybe a bit more sophistivcated I guarantee if you drive both the Volvo blows it away as far as driving dynamics. A5 211 hp 4 banger cannot come clsoe to the power and smoothness of the s60 Also the steering on the A5 was very loose compared to the volvo not to say I got my 2011 with a hefty 3grand rebate free maintence and 1.9% all vs full msrp 3.9% and no main on the audi and it was a no brainer. oh yes also drive the Bmw 328i aawd but had to spend a fortune to get the paackage with HID zenon lights . Was shocked at the numbner of cars BMW sells with 20 yr old halogens ...come on people why would anyone spend 40 plus grand on a car with those candles for lights.. I will not buy a car without this important safety feature and the S60 with its adaptive headlights are a winner. Wow almost forgot i did twest the new Saab 95 with a 10 grand rebate for obviouso reason and alhough i liked the sabb the best of all I was concerned aobut saabs viablitiy as a company and the potential hit to resell i may have taken and thus ended up in a S60...the only negative is i would have liked to see a better tpm which shows the inflated value of each tire rather then one which just lights when any tire gets low but you dont know which one...and there is no holder for a cell phone anywhere...missed that on the test drive..love the cool auto headrest down function for the rear to give me better visability when no one is in the back ......

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  Show Stopper - 2008 Volvo C30
  By Jon - November 4 - 7:23 am

  The car is quick and reliable. Ive had more than a few people stop and comment about my car. Not too impressed with the gas mileage but I did drive a civic before this.

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  V-40 Hot - 2004 Volvo V40
  By daddy daniel - November 4 - 2:00 am

  After owning a 1987 Toyota truck for 17 years I wanted a car that was quick, fun to drive on highways and city st, I live in San Francisco. I looked at a number of wagons, and found my V-40 to be just what I was looking for. Safety, fun, very sexy. mpg 24.7 in the city and 30.2 on the highway. I dont think this is a family wagon, but for singles or couples who like long weekends all year round, or a shop till you drop Queen. I use mine to drive the coast to see my horse to the south of the city and weekend resort trips. City driving is easy I can sit in traffic with cars costing thousands more.

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  Great performance, low mileage - 2004 Volvo S60
  By bnziskin - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I love to drive this car. I went from a Honda S2000 to the Volvo and feel I have lost nothing in performance. The fun level has obviously decreased, but with a new baby daughter, the Honda was impractical.

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  If not for a couple of things... - 2003 Volvo S60
  By Dan - November 4 - 2:00 am

  A couple of things... After about 6 months the car loosened up a little. I have a rattle in the dash and a leather rubbing on leather sound coming from the back seat. Also, when opting to shift the geartronic transmision yourself, it isnt that responsive, which makes it less fun.

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  love it! - 2004 Volvo S80
  By boo boo - November 4 - 2:00 am

  This is an amazing car, i absolutely love it. It gets excellent milage and is very comfortable. I would definetly recommend this car to anybody!

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  Excellent reliability, performance and comfort. - 1998 Volvo S70
  By chris_svedka - November 3 - 10:06 pm

  I have owned the V70 and S70 line of vehicles for many years. My 1998 S70 T5 is hands down the best vehicle I have ever owned. After owning one, and wanting a second T5, I drove over 400 miles, round trip to pick up another one. These cars are built exceptionally well. I have never had one leave me stranded. Every vehicle requires maintenance and an occasional part. Parts are cheap if you know where to look. Any mechanic should be able to work on these EASILY. They do not cost more to work on than anything else. If you insist on taking them to dealers out of warranty, then expect to pay. Knowledge and a little legwork will make these one of the most economical cars you can own.

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  My pod of civilization - 2002 Volvo V70
  By jdw31 - November 2 - 10:00 am

  Why do I love my Volvo V70? I love it because it is solid, safe, very comfortable, has a great sound system, and because the dealership treats me like a king when I take her in for the checkups. I used to think that spending over $25K for a car was too much, but I did it anyway, and it is worth it. This is a great car. My "road rage" has dropped by 90% at least since I bought it.