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:

• 

  Why buy an SUV? - 2002 Volvo V70
  By kiddie car pool dad - April 14 - 1:43 pm

  Had to get a 7-seat vehicle for the school car pool, but wife hasnt yet figured out that I didnt get a T5 just for the nice seats. Bought used with 50K miles two weeks ago. This car has great power, but dont punch the accellerator unless you really mean it. Has every safety feature available on any new car and a superb stereo. The gas tank is ridiculously big; driven from Memphis to DC (around 850 miles) on less than two tanks of gas. Lots of thoughtful features on mine: integrated second row child boosters; built-in second row tray table with cup holders; built-in cargo compartment divider; clever rear-facing third row seats that my kids adore; electronic child-proof door locks.

• 

  Had many, this is the best - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By ga - April 13 - 10:30 pm

  I have driven an audi, honda, hummer, ford, land rover, nissan and this is by far the best suv. basic inside but great quality. leather is awesome. booster built in for my toddler and enough room for my baby car seat next door. so safe and quiet ride. head rests are great, can actually lean your head on them when you drive. will buy another one in a few years. not a single problem. the leg room is the only downfall if you have car seats behind you, you lose some front leg room but it is fine, just on long trips sometimes i want to stretch more but that is it! awesome!

• 

  Hold on to it - 2000 Volvo S70
  By jmmcev - April 7 - 10:06 am

  I bought the S70 almost 5 years ago and the only problem I have had with it is the battery going dead which I replaced. It has been an extremely good car for me and I plan to keep it and try for 200-300K mileage barring major unforeseen problems. I presently have 70K in to and from work driving.

• 

  Solid, responsive SUV - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By Gaylord - April 6 - 6:13 am

  After I ordered an 07 3.2, I spent a week in Germany driving a 07 V8 at high speeds. I was afraid the 3.2 might be a let-down, but it has not been. The six is completely adequate; quick enough off the line and the passing lane. Shift points match the engine well at all speeds. The XC90 is nimble for a two ton vehicle. Very comfortable seats, well designed interior, quality materials throughout. A very satisfying purchase.

• 

  Love my T-5 - 1998 Volvo S70
  By conway - April 5 - 1:30 pm

  I absolutely love this car. Tons of set you back in your seat power. If youre looking for a car to take your family on a trip and blow the doors off most cars out there, get one of these.

• 

  Value! - 2004 Volvo S60
  By peglegger - April 5 - 10:00 am

  Great value for a high-performance, fun-to-drive car with an awesome interior. The Atacama leather is an option that I wasnt going to do, then decided to get it at the last minute...awesome. Stereo is incredible. Big step up from my previous car, Audi A6 (that was only the 2.8 liter, however). Interior and variable chassis would be the two biggest plusses over the A6.

• 

  I love this car - 2004 Volvo V70
  By Eric Nelson - April 5 - 10:00 am

  If you can only have a single car, this is the best one to get. The only significant fault is the large turning radius, which you can learn to deal with.It is just as fast as the 540 and S6, but with the following advantages: vs 540 wagon: 540 has no manual tranny, and the V70R has a nicer/larger interior. The 540 is also miserable in the snow due to rear wheel drive, and is 20K more. vs Audi S6: no manual, smaller interior, 20K more, lousy stereo, lousy crash tests, lousy dealers/service.

• 

  S80 - THE CAR FOR THE 21ST CENTURY - 2004 Volvo S80
  By FAITH - April 5 - 10:00 am

  EXCEPTIONAL VEHICLE. SURPASSED MY EXPECTATIONS. THIS CAR HAS EXCELLENT VEHICLES ALONG WITH AN OUTSTANDING VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEM. EVERYONE SHOULD OWN ONE.

• 

  2006 S60R - 2006 Volvo S60
  By TA1GMB - April 3 - 3:30 pm

  Have had several Volvos over the years and the S60R is by far the most fun to drive. Awesome power combined with control. Best car in its class for the money. If Volvo could only catch-up on interior design and make Navi a standard option, this car would be untouchable.

• 

  Safe, luxurious and sporty - 2010 Volvo XC70
  By cnagappa - April 3 - 10:00 am

  Traded in my 02 Land Rover Freelander for the "Premium" Volvo XC70. Here in Canada the 2010 XC70 is sold in three basic trims: Base, Premium and T6. The Premium version includes the full climate package, BLIS, Bluetooth, HomeLink, leather upholstery, safety lock, power tailgate, motorized passenger seat, front seat and other premium features. It does not include the T6 or adaptive suspension. Weve had our XC 2010 for 6 months and so far it has performed admirably. Compare to the old Land Rover, this vehicle handles admirably. My only grouse is that the 3.2 sounds gruff and unrefined when climbing hills, otherwise its pretty smooth.