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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  Great car!!!!!! - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Chan - November 9 - 1:30 pm

  Awesome car, great pickup. Good ride, comfortable yet sporty and a very "tight" feel to the steering. Sticks to the road like glue! AWD great in the snow. Love the extras and the heated seats a must have for cold climates, forget that for all climates it is like getting a backrub on the way home from work. This car mellows you out after a long day at the office!!!

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  Swede Speed - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Bullit - November 7 - 10:00 am

  An awsome performer, that could take the likes of BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz. Although not quite as refined as the above makes, its definately unique and could give a run for the money. Best Volvo ever built

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  This Car Rocks - 2004 Volvo V70
  By KevinLeungPhD - November 7 - 10:00 am

  The V70 T5 excel in every automotive arena. The 247-hp Turbo is a beast on the highway- beating many, many, many cars. Adding the GearTronic will result the winning combination of performance, fun and automotive enjoyment. Fuel economy is excellent- averaging only at 10.5L/100km. Build quality, safety and reliabiliy is undoubtly excellent. The seats are the best you can ever find in the universe. Versatile and agile, the V70 is the Einstein of scientists and the Kristanna Loken of actresses.

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  Volvo 4 life-NOT - 2001 Volvo V70
  By bobcarguy - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Great car for long highway drives...but a bit too noisy/jarring. Front seats arent comfortable you cant get the "right" adjustment. The HVAC system is noisy...fails to provide cold AC in the summer. Not enough usable areas to store things in the cabin. Finally, I never paid $90 for an oil change until I owned a Volvo...and took it in for the 7000 mile service!

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  A Volvo can be fun!!! - 2004 Volvo S80
  By MPL - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Every three years I get to change cars through my company car lease program. Ive done the Bimmers, Benz, Jags, etc. but this time around the Volvo really caught my eye. I first took a close look at the S80 T6 when I went to turn my Jaguar S-Type back in to the dealership (who also happened to be a Volvo dealer). Once I got the S80 out for a test drive, my mind was made up. Who would have thought that a front- wheel Volvo could be so much fun to drive!!! Ive had to put up with a few old guy jokes from friends when I told them I went Volvo but their criticisms usually stop once they come for a ride.

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  Fast and Furious - 2002 Volvo S60
  By rsochaj - November 7 - 10:00 am

  This car is awesome, really fun to drive, with exceptional performance

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  Cindys - 2006 Volvo C70
  By Cindy - November 4 - 6:30 pm

  Fun to drive with top up or down. Comfortable seating. Car has great lines and is a head turner. The hard top convertible makes it a year round fun car to drive. Roomy interior with controls within easy reach. Trunk space is good even with the top down there is still some room in the trunk. Acceleration is good and the car cruises great on the Highway. Fun & Comfortable ride. Volvo C70 Hard top convertible 2 great cars in one.

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  Dream Car - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Vickie - November 3 - 7:10 pm

  Ive had this car for almost a year and in my short experience I feel its a perfect combination of luxury and performance. Acceleration power is exceptional, dashboard controls are within easy reach, its roomy, except for possibly the third seat which can handle adult passengers for short trips only. Third seat is meant for small children. And, except for a hummer, it feels safer than anything Ive ever driven.

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  Best of the Breed - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By J.R. - November 2 - 10:56 pm

  With the exeption of mediocre service from the dealer, this is an excellent car. Lots of Winter driving on back roads; good control; comfortable; more interior carrying space that all of the mid-sized SUVs weve driven; no comparison to the XC90 which is tinny and poorly assembled. Ive had Jeeps (dumped two before they had 30k), Subarus (not bad, but just not as good), Pathfinders (the 94 was the bes); Saabs (100 mph up the hill in my drive, standing still); Recommend this car.

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  An exceptional SUV from Volvo - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By HappywithmyXC90 - October 31 - 10:00 am

  I waited for this vehicle a long time and I am glad I did. My T6 is in Sapphire Black with graphite interior and it is absolutely beautiful. The quality of materials and workmanship is outstanding. This SUV is pleasure to drive, rugged and sophisticated at the same time. I love the performance and the ride, not to mention feeling safe and confident on the road.