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:

• 

  In love with my Volvo - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Volvoluvr - February 8 - 8:56 pm

  We purchased my Volvo used in 2007 and it had 36,000 miles on it. We had recently had our second child and loved the safety features and quality of this car. (Not to mention it is beautiful) It came with a few flaws, poor fuel consumption and rear doors that dont open wide enough in the back to get kids/groceries misc in and out. Third row is a joke really, no room for normal sized adults. Ok for children but hard to get them in and out. Overall this vehicle made me happy for 3 years and we never had any repairs other than scheduled maintenance. Just traded it in on a minivan due to our THIRD child arriving, but still missing my Volvo. Ill have another one again someday.

• 

  Great Car even for the youngsters.... - 2003 Volvo S60
  By matt1540 - February 8 - 10:00 am

  Being the 1st car my wife & I have bought, we could not ask for anything better. After driving all other cars in the class, the Volvo won our hearts over. Even though we took some ribbing for Volvo being a family car, the S60 has style and flare and the turbo has enough punch to have fun out on the road.

• 

  Incredible Car -- bellisimo!!!! - 2003 Volvo S40
  By mr911sc - February 7 - 2:00 am

  The motor is strong with no lag. The turbo is fully spooled at 1750RPM, the Torque converter stall speed is well above that. The trans shifts according to the type of driver you are and adapts quickly.. it will even anticipate desired acceleration after a turn/obstacle, and downshift before you get on the gas.The suspension in this car does not compare to any car that I have ever driven (I also own a Porsche 911). It quite simply, is phenomenal. The geometry is PERFECT. The car always feels planted. You can never misunderstand what the car is doing or what the car can do. It goes where you point it.

• 

  Served us well and then some - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Chrissie - February 6 - 2:56 am

  When we bought our Volvo it was older, but with low mileage. The car has been very good to us. Weve done a few minor repairs ourselves, thanks in part to the great Volvo message boards. Weve had no major repairs which is saying something for a car that is now 12 years old. I feel safe and comfortable in my car. Fuel mileage is pretty good considering the size of the car.

• 

  volvo s 60 - 2006 Volvo S60
  By larry lambi - February 5 - 5:23 pm

  the best luxury car i could find for under 36k & i test drove them all bmw, mercedes, audi, cadillac cts, jag.. far more interior room then them all and i am a big guy 5`11,, 300 pounds so i know about interior room space..the performance is great the turbo gives the car great boost,, the front seats are the most comfortable seats of them all they are outrageous.. plus they are also heated great for the back...

• 

  Pride of Sweden (Belgium?) - 2006 Volvo S40
  By Gene Kenwell - February 4 - 8:00 pm

  My Volvo S40 is the first non-domestically built vehicle Ive ever bought. If my initial impressions hold up, it certainly wont be the last. The S40s handling is superb.

• 

  Taking the buyout! - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By m - February 4 - 6:20 am

  Lease is up and we are buying this vehicle. Absolute pleasure the last 39 months. Timeless style and great performance. What more could you ask for.

• 

  XC90 2.5T AWD - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By 3GBE - February 3 - 10:53 pm

  I purchased the XC90 as a move up from a 2002 XC70 and the additional space. After test driving both models (T6 & std. version) I settled on the std. 2.5T. This engine has plenty of power and I cannot see why someone would pay the extra for the T6 and the new V8... they are overkill. The XC90 handled well in a recent snow storm and provides a comfortable ride for my 67" frame. The only two complaints I have so far are: 1) both new style front and back windsheild wipers are not as good as the versions they replaced. 2) the gas mileage (so far) is not up to the reported averages. I am told this will improve as the car "breaks in". Overall, I am delighted with the XC90 & would recommend it!

• 

  Original Owner - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Rick - February 2 - 9:23 pm

  Ok so I have only put 7000 miles on this car in three years yet all the time I enjoyed every minute of it. The first S60 R I owned in 2004 was a lemon and returned then I got this one the metallic green with atacanda leather and every option. This car is fast and furious and drives better than my 75 Corvette by far. Ill never get rid of it. I have had almost zero problems.

• 

  My Second Volvo - 2004 Volvo S60
  By chancellor - February 2 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Volvo, going from a 2000 S70 to a 2004 S60 2.5T. The turbo makes this a fast, fun to drive, sporty car. The premium and sport packages provide a high-end feel and a solid drive. Its admittedly not as roomy or comfortable as the S70, but the ride is substantially improved. The stereo is also excellent. While its probably not the fastest car on the road (I test drove an Infiniti G35 that was superior in speed and handling), its fast enough and has enough of a luxury feel to rate the car highly.