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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  I LOVE my T6! - 2011 Volvo XC70
  By lindsayg - January 16 - 10:54 am

  Volvo has read my mind- all my "issues" with my 2008 standard XC70 have been completely corrected in the 2011 T6 model. It is absolutely worth the extra $ for the turbo version. I traded in my 2008 and a 2008 BMW M3 on this Volvo and I dont miss the BMW at all because the new Volvo is so much fun to drive. The best of both worlds. Way to go, Volvo!

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  Great ride but electronic nightmare - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By CGleas - January 15 - 2:18 pm

  I love the ride and the drive of this vehicle. However, it has had one electronic glitch after another-each computer reboot leads to a new issue that cant seemed to be resolved at the dealer (Volvo of Louisville). The touch pad has gone completely blank, the temperature gauge can have wild swings, the apps dont work well- the latest is that when I start the car or first back it up in the morning, the radio changes from sirius XM to a Christian FM channel. I have the beige Napa leather seats but the drivers seat has worn thru the finish and I await a new seat cover for a car that is 11 months old. Unless you have much time to spend at the dealer, I would not recommend this vehicle. I tried to trade it in, at the dealer where it was purchased, and was told I would have to pay $52000 in addition to turning in this vehicle to get an similar XC90 ($32000 is owed). Shocking, right? but Kelly the manager said this was her best offer. Do the math, my car is worth about $23000 according to this manager. I would consider this extremely poor resale or an extremely poor manager. Anyhow Im stuck with an untrustworthy and overpriced vehicle for now.

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  One of the best turbo wagons out there - 2006 Volvo V70
  By Feh - January 15 - 3:30 am

  Very nicely styled, stands out from the average V70. Nice Pegasus 17" rims. Very good inline-5 turbo, twin-intercooled engine. Smooth 6-speed auto transmission. Adjustable continuously control chassis concept suspension is great: click, and you are in comfort mode, another click, and suspension fully tightens. Amazing! Excellent 4-piston Brembo brakes all around. Thick rimmed, sporty steering wheel. Leather-wrapper everywhere. One of the most comfortable seats Ive had in a car. HU-850 unit is awesome, Nav unit is OK.

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  A Pleasure To Drive - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Ari - January 14 - 5:20 pm

  This is a really attractive vehicle -- a real looker -- in my opinion. It is aerodynamic and ergonomic, and drives as nice as it looks. Doors close with a reassuring thunk, the steering is predictable yet responsive, there is power to spare, and the seats are more comfortable than any chair in my home.

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  A Pleasure To Drive - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Ari - January 14 - 1:10 pm

  This is a really attractive vehicle -- a real looker -- in my opinion. It is aerodynamic and ergonomic, and drives as nice as it looks. Doors close with a reassuring thunk, the steering is predictable yet responsive, there is power to spare, and the seats are more comfortable than any chair in my home.

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  Great - 2004 Volvo S60
  By T Endi - January 13 - 10:00 am

  High performance and stealthy. This car fits the sweetspot for those who want the perfect mid-sized sports sedan and do not want to spend over $45K. Far more comfortable than the competition.

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  Vroom, vroom... - 2004 Volvo S60
  By vizwiz - January 13 - 10:00 am

  Fantastic ride. Nice supple comfort when I am driving the in-laws around in "Comfort" mode. Great family driver also, with all the safety/comfort features (my 5 year old keeps egging me on to go faster and swerve around corners :-). When the wife and kid are not in the car, it gives me 300HP and plenty of oomph to embarass all sorts of other cars out there.

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  An OK car - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Stevenski - January 13 - 10:00 am

  This Volvo was just an OK car. Just was to many problems to over come the good looks.

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  Why I like my Volvo... - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By Skittles - January 13 - 10:00 am

  I have been very pleased with my XC70! I need my car to be able to handle well in the mountains and on the highway, and it does both very well. It grips the road for great control on wet or dry pavement, plus has great brakes and very good acceleration at high speeds. I often have 6+ friends in the car and Im able to fit 3 of them in easily. Also, the solid construction allows for a quiet ride and the seats are very comfortable!

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  been waiting for this car! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By volvo love - January 13 - 10:00 am

  Love this car!