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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  Everything we hoped for - 1998 Volvo V70
  By scott - August 29 - 12:53 am

  We never thought we would shell out $35,000 for a Volvo AWD. But having owned the car now for 7 years, I can honestly say it is the best car we have ever had. It has a feel of extreme quality and runs "like new" to this day. Yes, repairs can be pricy on a $35k car - do people expect differently? The turbo provides plenty of pep, the leather seats are to die for, mileage is fine (19-24). We have had next to zero "fit and finish" problems, unlike our other vehicles which have come and gone. No major accidents, but you know with Volvo you are as safe as you are going to get. If and when this car finally dies (and with only 98000 miles it has a long way to go) I will surely buy another!

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  jj - 2000 Volvo S70
  By gdfghdfh - August 28 - 2:00 am

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  A FUTURE CLASSIC - 2009 Volvo C70
  By jack - August 26 - 9:40 pm

  Wonderful 6 speed transmission, fantastic premium sound system, somewhat Rare, not too many on the road. A joy to own and drive...

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  No more SAAB stories. - 2012 Volvo S60
  By thinkwendy - August 22 - 5:55 pm

  I was involved in an accident with my 2006 SAAB 9.3 2.0 turbo in April returning from Spring Break. I was very lucky... I was going 70 MPH and a box truck had pulled over for the night, but did not pull all the way off the driving lanes. I was the third car to hit debris in the right driving lane and unfortunately my car was totaled. I had very minor injuries and witnessed some major injuries of the two vehicles that crashed before me. I went searching for a new vehicle and my mind was made up that I was going to get an SUV or crossover, but my heart did no race like it did when I was in my SAAB. I was spoiled and wanted luxury. I tea drove everything and fell in love with the VolvoS60

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  S60R - The Perfect Perfomance Sedan - 2005 Volvo S60
  By da60015 - August 21 - 10:53 pm

  Having already been impressed for over three years with my S60 2.5T, I welcomed the opportunity to test drive the S60R. This was following test drives of comparable BMW, Mercedes and Cadillac models. Safety and the comfort for a 6 foot plus adult being a given, the power and handling of the "R" exceeded even my expectations. I have not had this much fun since my Corvette. The car hangs tough with my friends Porsches and MBs on our monthly country outings into the backroads of Wisconsin.

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  Great Car - 2005 Volvo V50
  By J Patent - August 20 - 8:03 pm

  We have put just over 1500 miles on the car and it is great! We got all the options except the DSC (in hindsight, I would have purchased this) and navigation system. Used to have an Audi A4 and this car is much better. The seats are more comfortable, the stereo is better and easier to use, and it performs just as well if not better.

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  Bethanys Volvo S40 - 2006 Volvo S40
  By BRH - August 17 - 4:36 pm

  The new S40 is NOT your fathers Volvo! The recently revamped 2005 S40 has Volvos signature elegance and class, yet - despite its (somewhat boring) reputation for safety and reliability -- is incredibly fun to drive and punchy. I would recommend this car to anyone looking for class, excitement, and reliability at a price that is surprisingly easy-to-swallow.

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  2010 V70 R-Design - 2010 Volvo V70
  By BoomerZoomer - August 13 - 8:36 am

  Were loving our new Volvo. My wife and I both have lower back pain and the R-Design front seats are the best weve tried. I wanted a new car for our retirement years and the choices are very few for a wagon low enough to easily load canoes and kayaks on the roof, and hold a recumbent trike in the cargo area. The R-Design is a great package so we only added the convenience package (heated seats) and the keyless ignition. I was pleased to be able to get a nice handling package with the standard drivetrain.

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  Worth the wait - 2006 Volvo C70
  By whichhardtop - August 8 - 1:56 pm

  I fell into my 2006 C70 when a higher up in the Volvo company turned in his red C70 after putting 700 miles playing around with it for a few months. The question is, after driving this car, why would anyone give it up? The biggest knock on this car is that it is not fun to drive. Try the standard 6-speed manual and watch it put the 218 horseys to work (and save $1250). Also forget about spending $1400 on leather seating and go with the amazingly sleek (and not very hot) synthetic flextech upholstery. I had no regrets about dropping $1550 on the 12-speaker dynaudio system, which sounds phenomenal. My other big splurge was the 18" tires, which firmly place this as a bonafide sportscar.

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  THE BEST VALUE ON THE MARKET - 2002 Volvo V70
  By daryp - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I NEVER TOUGHT THAT VOLVO WOULD BE SUCH A FUN TO DRIVE. LAST YEAR I BOUGHT A MANUAL T5 AND I LIKED IT SO MUCH THAT THIS YEAR I BOUGHT ANOTHER ONE. THIS TIME AROUND FULLY LOADED. THERE IS ONE THING I REALLY MISS ABOUT THE PREVIUOS ONE; THE STICK SHIFT. IT REALLY ENHANCES THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CAR. ALTHOUGH, NOW I HAVE GEARTRONIC, ITS NOT THE SAME AS MANUAL. BOTTOM LINE: YOU CAN TAKE THIS CAR ANYWHERE WHITHOUT HAVING TO WARY ABOUT MAKING POSITIVE IMPRESSIONS.