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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  Volvos Best Effort in Years - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Bill - February 3 - 4:12 am

  First of all, Im slightly confused by some of the reviews here. Im not even sure if some of these people own an XC90 or have even been for a test drive. That said, I have owned 5 new Volvos in 12 years and the new XC90 is leaps and bounds ahead of its predecessors. Stylish, comfortable, roomy, user friendly and full of amazing tech, its a great addition to the lineup and it truly is something special. Seeing other XC90s out on the road is a joy...those Thors Hammer LED headlights are really something! Plus, in true Volvo fashion, I feel incredibly safe behind the wheel. Well done Volvo!

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  Great car - 1999 Volvo S70
  By Mojovolvo - February 2 - 1:23 pm

  I really have enjoyed owning this car. In manages to be compact on the outside, yet so roomy on the inside. Its getting old now, and has 160,000 miles on it, but people still comment, "I like your NEW Volvo", and every time someone new gets in they say, "wow, this car is comfortable!" Beyond that, it never breaks, is fun to drive, returns reasonable mileage, and is incredibly practical.

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  Best car I’ve ever owned - great for road trips. - 2013 Volvo XC60
  By keepeyesopen - February 2 - 5:12 am

  I traded in a 2010 Honda CRV EX-L for the 2013 Volvo XC60 T6 Platinum. Big difference! The XC60 is far more quiet, smooth and powerful. The quietness and seat comfort contributed to a very comfortable 10-hour road trip. There is plenty of power for passing and merging. The blind spot warning system works well. The navigation system responds well to voice commands, and the bluetooth integration with both Android and iPhones is excellent. The navigation system, radio and media controls on the steering wheel are easy to use after a short learning period. One unexpected finding was the seat comfort. This is hard to appreciate on a short test drive, but apparent on long trips.

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  Classy, Safe Family SUV - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Harold - January 31 - 10:49 am

  Volvos attention to detail is everywhere. Safety features and craftsmanship are apparent throughout the vehicle. Comfort and features make it a pleasure to drive..

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  Excellent Car - 2004 Volvo V70
  By KTTK - January 30 - 10:00 am

  I have >8K miles on it and we love the car.

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  excellent - 2005 Volvo S60
  By steve g - January 29 - 3:23 am

  I looked at Acura TL and BMW 330. This car beats them both in performance and comfort. The T5 is amazingly fast and the handling is great. The front seats are sooo comfortable. The available IPOD adapter works great with the excellent stereo system.

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  Stealthy Pocket Rocket - 2006 Volvo S60
  By Dave - January 28 - 5:06 am

  My wife wanted this car because its low profile, but great looking. I think its super quick with the automatic; feels a lot quicker than an 05 demo I drove last year and faster than the spec. Great seats, and the adjustable suspension really works. So far, its been problem free for 5 months. Good price: $37K for automatic with some packsges(amounted to $300 over invoice AND less $2250 incentive.) We may have gotten the last one for while, since it doesnt look like Volvo will make an 07 R and theres talk of dropping the S60 altogether. Looked at TL (too common and FWD), G35 (didnt feel as confident to drive or as quick), Mustang GT, (too banal), Maxima (FWD, etc, etc.), Audi...

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  2008 XC70 - 2008 Volvo XC70
  By Bob Kane - January 27 - 11:06 pm

  This is a great car and my first Volvo; we traded in our 2004 Acura MDX. After shopping for all the luxury SUVs from Acura to Mercedes, we decide on the Volvo XC70. The XC70 is more cars like and delivers great responsiveness. Safety, build quality and interior appointments are first rate. We have downsized in the past from a Lincoln Navigator to an Acura MDX to the Volvo XC70. This is the perfect size with the most comfortable ride and interior. Acceleration and handling is more than adequate and better than rated by the experts.

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  C70 - 2001 Volvo C70
  By 2001-C70 - January 27 - 8:33 am

  I bought my C70 used with about 50K miles on it about 5 years ago. I love the way it looks, and love the way it drives even better. It is surprisingly quick for a Volvo. I had to replace the throttle body twice, but Volvo has covered it as a recall item, so it was on their nickel. I have had it in the shop for only one other significant issue. The mass airflow sensor went out while I was on a road trip and rendered the car not driveable, which was not at all convenient, but at least an easy fix. Overall, the reilability has been great. It definitely has been a great car for me.

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  2003 Volvo S40 - 2003 Volvo S40
  By spin65 - January 26 - 2:00 am

  beautiful interior for the price, 5 speed auto, whiplash protection system, CD , cassette and free cappuccino from the dealer. who could ask for anything more?