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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  2006 Volvo V-50 - 2006 Volvo V50
  By walrus17 - March 16 - 5:20 pm

  Other than rountine maintenance for a car with 149K, its been a reliable car. I did have a problem with an air/fuel sensor that was going bad and would not show up on the computer codes. Thought I had water in the fuel, but replaced the sensor for $397.00 and have had no further problems. My car is a turbo 5 cylinder with all wheel drive and it has no power issues. The car handles well in the snow and on wet roads. The vehicle is comfortalbe to drive and has heated leather seats. For a sport wagon with a sun roof, its a great family car, that I would recommend.

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  New Volvo Wagon - 2005 Volvo V70
  By V70 Fan - March 15 - 2:36 am

  This replaces out 1991 240 wagon with 230k miles on it, purchased new. What a difference, yet not a surprise with the detail and quality. In a nutshell, I feel safe and secure. Average milage 26.5 mpg to date. Comfortable, elegant, and well designed, though it may take getting use to all the features. Study the manual first to know about the purpose and layout. Then appreciate the details.

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  A great car that is fun to drive! - 2003 Volvo C70
  By xyzzyx - March 14 - 10:00 am

  I have always owned mid priced - full sized convertibles (Cutlass / Toyota Solara / etc) and this has been the nicest, fun to drive, stylish car I driven. Good power (with the HT version) and comfortable. The power top and automatic boot is wonderful (ever been caught right before a downpour ?) One touch and your back on the road. Add the six disc CD player and power antenna switch (both simple to install by yourself) and this car is ready to have fun.

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  Lg families and lg egos need not apply - 2004 Volvo S40
  By jece - March 14 - 10:00 am

  In a nutshell:Solid value and understated elegance. If you want a sportscar or something to "show," perhaps you should look to BMW or Jaguar. This car offers every safety feature imaginable, its reliable, and the power of the turbo engine is more than adequate. Standard equipment far exceeds anything Audi or the Japanese have to offer. This is my second s40 as the s60 was a bit large for what I was looking for. No problems ever. Highly recommended-however, not for large families or large egos.

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  Great SUV - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By curtr - March 14 - 10:00 am

  The safetst SUV out there. Exudes confidence in all types of driving from local city city to extreme mountain terrain. Gas mileage for this size vehicle is above average. Currently at 19.2 city and 24.6 highway on premium fuel. Interior comfort is best in its class. Total experience is above average.

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  My 2nd Volvo - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Christopher Taylor - March 14 - 10:00 am

  I must say that this has been the most trouble free car that I have ever own. It has the best sound system in the world next to then Lexus M&L system. This the perfect car to drive from Ct to GA in total comfort.

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  Wanted to Like... - 1999 Volvo S80
  By lynnmckeel - March 14 - 2:08 am

  I really wanted to like this car. It was so comfertable and I felt very safe all of the time. Drove like a dream. However it has been a constant money pit The car has 163,000 miles on it so it is old but its not going to last with out hundreds maybe thousands of dollars invested. Its been constant for the last two years: In addition routine work I have also had to replace struts, fix the fuel pump, the coils, the head light got busted and the electics have never been the same, the ac is shot, the power locks are shot, had to have the power steering fixed, and ALL of the fabric lining is coming off. Lots of money, time, and towing

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  Hit or miss with Volvo - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By cnirenblatt - March 13 - 8:16 am

  For a $40,000 plus vehicle, Im really looking at getting a Lexus next go around. I cant believe all the bells and whistles that dont come with this car at this price. Sure its safe. I get about 17.5 mpg, but already the seat adjustment on the drivers side has become unattached, the power windows are whacky sometimes by going down when I want them to go up and frankly Im just disappointed in the service department here in Charleston, S.C. When I took a look at the Lexus RX330, I couldnt believe all the ammenities you can get with the same emphasis on safety for a lot less money. Im now looking at trading in the XC90 for a Lexus either GX or RX model. I think Volvo should do better.

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  Solid, safe, comforable Swede - 2007 Volvo V70
  By sjulier - March 11 - 4:32 pm

  Purchased this month with 33,400 miles. 2.4L base engine. I am returning to Volvo after Mercedes and Acura and purchased this car because of the seat comfort, overall safety and solid highway ride. I spend 22,00 miles a year on the highway so comfort is a priority. The seat is sublime, by far the best of any car I have owned, including past Volvos. Speed sensitive steering makes it easy around town, heavy on the highway. Love the classic styling. No anxiety on I-95 in the rain, between trucks. The 2.4L base engine is underpowered, no C240 or TSX for sure. With premium fuel acceleration is acceptable. Frankly, I can see having this car for 300,000 miles.

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  Get it for what it is: a premium hatch. - 2011 Volvo C30
  By Robert James G - March 10 - 11:20 pm

  Ive read plenty of reviews stating how this car doesnt measure up to the GTI and Cooper S. I disagree. I used to have a 2008 Cooper S, and it spent months at the shop, had to sell it at a loss. Used to have a MazdaSpeed 3 - great car, but uncomfortable on city streets. The Volvo is a car made for the real world - I dont go to tracks every Saturday; this car ROCKS 95% of the time. Its not the last word on performance and handling, but its the best mix of comfort and sporty driving I could find. And the exterior - its just a work of art. I never thought Id own a Volvo, but Im happy I do now!