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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  Take a test drive u wont be sorry - 2004 Volvo V70
  By JLZ - September 22 - 2:00 am

  I traded in my old A6 Avant. This is an excellent car, Always makes you feel confindent to step on the gas. In bumper to bumper traffic you are pampered by one of the best sound systems on the market and a comfort set suspension. On the open road you can gun it, the suspension and stearing are flawless. And best of all very few people know what you got under the hood. GREAT CAR!!!!!

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  S 80 - 2004 Volvo S80
  By Mike M. - September 22 - 2:00 am

  I love how the s80 handels, It quick response and great exceleration is one of the many features that I like. It also gets great gas millage. hwy.30.5 city27. THe comfort of the drive on long trips is great I had no drive fatigue after driving 8 hours straight. I recomand the volvo to all my friends. I look forward to buying another one soon for my wife. The volvo also has great leather seats.

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  The best SUV Ive ever owned - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Myrtle Beach Momma - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Since we bought this car, Ive been in heaven! It handles so well and it is an extremely safe vehicle. Everwhere we go , people turn heads to look at my car! I usually find someone staring into it at least once a week. After test driving many new American SUVs this ones the cream de la cream! I dont even mind making car payments again!

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  It fits four Kids - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Jill Lara - September 22 - 2:00 am

  I have had good experience with this car. I have had to have it in for service about 2 times. The people have trouble fixing it. It takes about 2 days for the service. Only problem.

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  a good performance wagon - 2006 Volvo V50
  By Peter - September 22 - 12:26 am

  I have to replace a Volvo 240DL wagon and BMW328i. V50 has a nice combination of the virtues of both. It is big enough as a family wagon and is sporty enough to be fun to drive (the 240DL drives like a truck). It has all the electronic and computer gadgets of my 1999 328i, although its acceleration and handling are not as good. I have always driven a manual transmission so I was a bit skeptical about the Geartronics. It turns out to be quite acceptable. I can use it to slow down the car. When going up to Lake Tahoe I can down-shift to gain more power. The mileage after 6K miles is a decent 25 mpg, better than the BMW. I will be quite happy if it turns out to be more reliable than the BMW.

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  Love the S80-T6 - 2000 Volvo S80
  By turboman - September 21 - 10:00 am

  Best car Ive owned, and the first import. Only done the scheduled maintenance. During one service visit, replaced rattling non critical (therefore no recall) front suspension components that broke, covered by warranty.

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  Manual is much better ! - 2002 Volvo S60
  By Lance - September 21 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Volvo - as well as my second with the manual transmission. The changes that Volvo has made to the transmission are amazing. I knew that going with the non-turbo engine would sacrifice some performance but the return in fuel economy and the fun-to- drive factor of the manual definitely outweighs the slight lack of power. I have gone on many long trips with my Volvos and the comfort level of the seats and interior is unmatched by any other vehicle I have driven in this price range. Volvo has another happy customer "For Life"

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  2006 - 2004 Volvo C70
  By Herb Feinzig - September 21 - 7:00 am

  Car handles well, is excellent on highways and at speed. Not as good in towns. Turning radius too wide. Wonderful acceleration due to turbo. Great at passing as well. Convertible noisy with top up. Too much air noise. Great with top down. Speed control excellent. Does not have GPS system, major loss. Radio and CD player good to excellent. Overall, very good to excedllent in most respects.

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  Great - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Farrell - September 20 - 4:03 pm

  No problems so far. Very comfortable to drive. Very smooth handling on my daily work commutes. Only complaint would be the gas mileage, currently around 18mpg, but still feels as if I am constantly refilling tank.

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  Nearing Perfection - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Volvo Dave - September 20 - 2:00 am

  I would argue that no car is perfect... yet the new Volvo wagon is nearing the unattainable. I have been driving my T5 for twenty-one months, and simply adore it. My recommendations to anyone considering the V70 wagon would be as follows: 1) Get the turbo. I see people in my rear view mirror with their jaw in their lap as I pull away from a red light. This car is fast. 2) Get the 17" Pirelli tires. Im not one for tricked out cars, but these make the car look HOT and keep you on the road. Thats about it. I cant wait to upgrade to the new wagon, due out in a year or so with an even bigger engine. Someone at Volvo needs a nice pat on the back!!!