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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  A Most Excellent Vehicle! - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By scooter - September 9 - 9:30 am

  This is a fabulous vehicle for my needs, both mountain and city driving in all weather conditions. It is excellent on the highway, comfortable, easy and satisfying to drive. It has a voluminous cargo capacity and with an aftermarket rack system, all things bikes and skis are on top, safely transported. My mileage is better than sticker, 25 highway on about 18 around town. With snow tires it is a go anywhere winter vehicle. The 6CD sound system is excellent. There has been one factory recall for the front tie rod ends. I have not had any mechanical or other issues with this vehicle. It is the 5th Volvo in our extended family, and my third one. For me, this car is a keeper!

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  so glad i got rid of my toyota ! - 2006 Volvo V50
  By jj - September 7 - 11:00 am

  got rid of a 4runner 2005 the best day of my life. toyotas have great reputation on the engine reliability but someone forgot style and comfort. the v50 is amazing i want to drive. i want to take a hard turn and the geartronic is so much fun to drive. the back seat might be a little small for big passengers, but oh well that is the only bad thing and not really a problem.

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  Happy Volvo XC60 Owner - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By thecount26 - September 5 - 5:11 pm

  When buying this car, I had also seriously considered and test drove the Audi Q5 and BMW X3. While all nice vehicles, I felt the Volvo had the best balance of performance, utility, and price. And it simply projects more attitude than the Audi and BMW. After 1500 miles, I have been very happy. Acceleration and handling are great for a crossover, and the car feels so solid and secure when driving. Also, interior comfort is top notch---I had heard good things about Volvo seats, and a recent 6 hour drive proved to me how comfortable the XC60 seats are.

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  FUN, FUN, FUN!!!! - 2009 Volvo C70
  By fragglerock414 - September 5 - 10:36 am

  I bought the car a couple of days before Thanksgiving. After 4 months I can honestly say that I love this car. I also own a 2002 Volvo S60. I have always like the C70, but was concerned that I wouldnt really use it as a convertible, which would be a huge waste of money. Worries are gone. I cant keep the top up. I should be arrested for indecent exposure! This car is so much fun, handles well, is beautiful, and has great features. The integrated Bluetooth is awesome and works well even with the top down on the highway. Also love the integrated iPod. The only drawback is the horrible gas mileage and small (compared to my S60)gas tank.

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  We STILL love this car - 2001 Volvo S40
  By V - September 2 - 1:16 pm

  Fun to drive, great gas mileage, easy to park, as safe as the bigger Volvos... This car is fantastic. Weve had it almost 5 years, and have NO interest in getting a replacement. Has been super reliable, versatile for a sedan (folding seats, etc.), and the lines are great. We also bought a V40 at the same time, and only sold it to get a bigger wagon. These cars are easy to love.

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  Beloved Car, great investment. - 2004 Volvo S60
  By ccolli17 - September 1 - 9:23 pm

  The 2004 Volvo S60 was my first Volvo, and will not be my last. It is my strong belief that the car has saved my life twice, and has also had minimal problems, especially for someone as hard on cars as I am. I bought the car in 2008 with only 28,000k on it, and put 89,000k on it in a 3-year time frame (117,000 k by 2012). The car withstood 2 minor accidents and 2 major accidents. During the time I owned the car, I replaced a fuel sensor that was a factory recall, one battery, one break job, tires when necessary, and all other replacements were due to car accidents- pretty amazing for 89,000k miles of use.

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  S40 2.4i, 5 spd. - 2005 Volvo S40
  By gsgo - September 1 - 3:56 pm

  Looking for a dependable, high quality, safe vehicle built with todays driver in mind. This is our first Volvo and we have been nothing short of impressed with our purchase. Well designed, easy to drive for both city and highway, solid road feel and handling, decent performance with the base 5 cyl. engine, the manual transmission is one of the best I have tried. Nothing can beat the solid feel of this car in this price range.

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  I will miss this car and buy another again - 2012 Volvo XC60
  By JR - September 1 - 12:26 am

  This car is not only the safest car on the road, but it has a great design and offers a somooth ride.

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  Just bought it, love it - 2012 Volvo S60
  By rshenoy - August 31 - 11:13 pm

  Just bought a 2011 S60 T6. Got a great deal because there are trying to move the 2011s out. Was trying to keep it in the mid 30s. Was debating between a T5 or T6. Glad I went with a T6 because its all wheel drive and has 300hp instead of 250hp and front wheel drive. Great warranty: 5yr/60k

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  A True Sleeper... - 2002 Volvo C70
  By Dan - August 29 - 5:46 am

  After lusting for this car since it came out in 1998, I finally bought one. After owning (2) BMW 3-series cars including an M-3 I have to say that the Volvo is far more car for the money (especially when buying used). The exterior design is as sexy as it gets, the interior is roomy, and the dash is elegant and easy to use from the get go. The seats get no better, and the Turbo is like Jet propulsion. For driving in the "Real world" this rare vehicle is a great pick without question.