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:

• 

  It is an expensive car. - 2016 Volvo XC60
  By nigran - December 18 - 4:48 pm

  I thought I had preparation to make a deal based on edmunds.com recommendations. I only realize that edmunds.com did not help the clients to make an intelligent guess. The value stated on the edmunds.com is much higher than Kelly Blue Book. So I am not sure if edmunds.com intends to help car seekers or help the car agents. When I got to the car dealer, they made a different gimmick and I end up paying a high price, even beyond what I intended to. There are too many packages and it was not clear what the difference is between Drive-E versus platinum.

• 

  They just keep improving - 2006 Volvo V70
  By Ken J - December 18 - 5:33 am

  I have been driving Volvos since 1969. I think my loyalty is unsurpassed! I started with a 122S and have owned P1800s, 200 series, 7 series and 94, 97, 00, 03 and 06 wagons. My wife is currently driving a kool 05 V50 that we both enjoy driving. My current 06 is a T5 model with high pressure turbo. I ordered pretty much anything I could on this one and it is as close to perfect as any car I have driven. People are always on deck to pick up my 3 yr. old model at replacement time. My 06 has been blessed with 2 1/2 lowering springs and 19" wheels. The glass is deeply shaded and when I park it anywhere or drive through town it turns heads. The last 4 wagons have seldom required ANY warranty work.

• 

  volvo - 2001 Volvo S40
  By not happy - December 16 - 5:26 pm

  Bought this car used about a month ago and can wait to get rid of it, worst designed car i have ever been in, cup holder blocks most of console controls, 12v plug dosent work, really strange noises come from engine compartment-sounds like someone is pulling a heavy box across the ground every once in a while when i am stopped at a light, the engine "bumps" between 30-40mph when i let off the gas and then accelerate again- used to have a maxima- same year- but crashed it- should have bought another maxima- this car is garbage- dont buy it!!

• 

  Pretty decent car - 2008 Volvo XC70
  By luisja - December 15 - 5:06 am

  Ive owned this car for almost 3 months. It has some features that I love like, the PCC, BLIS and some other gadgets. The mileage is pretty bad, they really need to do something about it or bring the diesel model. Even you get better mileage with the BMW 5 series. The performance is just OK, at high RPM makes too much noise and the car reacts kind of slow when you press the gas, once you are cruising on the highway everything goes smooth and it handles pretty well.

• 

  Best Near-Luxury Sedan - 2006 Volvo S40
  By Emily - December 14 - 6:46 pm

  Just leased this vehicle a few days ago. It is fun to drive, looks great and has every feature I need for under $35K. It handles very well, the ride is smooth and Ive enjoyed every minute of driving it! The navigation system is superior to other systems Ive utilized in the past too.

• 

  Best value proposition - 2008 Volvo S80
  By Scott E - December 14 - 2:36 pm

  Needed AWD in New Hampshire mountains and the BMW, Benz, and Audi alternatives in this size class cannot touch the Volvo - and I am a huge fan of BMW. Purchased the car this summer during the $4/gallon gas era and got a fantastic deal that the other brands could not touch. Nice quiet ride with adequate power - not as well balanced as the BMW5 - drives a little front heavy in some cornering. Bottom line is that I would still purchase this car should I move out of the snow belt given the price point. Interior/exterior styling is excellent - dont see too many others on the road so it has a nice unique look relative to Audi, Volvo S60, 4matics, etc. which are everywhere.

• 

  Love it! - 2005 Volvo S40
  By najowa - December 14 - 2:03 pm

  Ive had my S40 since June of this year, and am so happy with it. I love the way it looks, it has a great ride, and great performance. I cant wait to see how it does in the New England snow this winter, as I mainly wanted this car because of its AWD. I went with the Select Package, which includes the sunroof, larger wheels, and upgraded stereo. The sound is awesome; everyone comments on how nice the stereo is. Cant wait until the C70 convertible, based on the S40 platform, comes out next year.

• 

  Great alternative! - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Jean - December 13 - 12:36 pm

  The Volvo S-60R is a great alternative to Audi S4/BMW M3; fully loaded it will run at least $10K less. While a tad slower in the straight away, the difference is not something even the above average driver would notice. On the highway, just a nudge of the gas pedal will take you right into jail time! The braking system is superb and the interior design is excellent (blue dials look great). Brand recognition in the US is still lagging, but you will surprise plenty of drivers that think its just a "safe car"! Gas mileage is good for 300 hp because Volvo engineers got it out of only 5 cylinders. Open the hood and take a look - the engine screams performance. All that and safety too.

• 

  Wow! - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Rrrreally Nice - December 13 - 10:00 am

  Just got my S60R. Wow! Silver with the blue interior is the way to go. The blue leather is not as loud as in the brochure. Acceleration and handling are excellent, and the seats are much more comfortable than the BMW 5 series.

• 

  Great Value - 2004 Volvo S60
  By GOIrish - December 13 - 10:00 am

  Exceptional value for the Money. Looked at M3, S4, G35, TL, C32AMG, A4, 330i, 330xi and you just cant beat or match the performance and AWD received from the Volovo at its price level. Not as fast as M,S or AMG versions but faster then all the rest. Insurance costs for this car also make it more attractive then the burners.