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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  Wow - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Volvo - January 10 - 10:00 am

  This car moves. Can beat just about any other car off the line and can keep up with the best. Highway speeds, you pop her into 6th gear and she purrrrs at you. Safe, strong and maneuvers well for a car of its size and weight. Amazing look. MUST get the 18" with Pegasus titanium rims. Perfect combination of sport and luxury. Mercedes and Lexus are shaking in their boots, especially with the MY05s on their way.

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  Everything I imagined it would be! - 2003 Volvo V40
  By Allison - January 8 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my 2003 V-40 about a month ago and I am VERY HAPPY with everything about it! The interior is well- designed, spacious, and fits like a glove. The exterior is classy and very cool. Plus- add the eurorails & fog lights and you get one sporty ride. A little bit slow to start off with- but once it passes the 30 MPH mark- you are flyin! So far- so good!

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  Love this car - 2002 Volvo S60
  By Texas - January 8 - 10:00 am

  Greta Car havent had any problems.

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  I Roll, Volvo - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Volvo Pride - January 5 - 5:56 pm

  My 04, XC90 is a tank; in a good way. Handles great in the snow and any wet weather and most assuredly can tear up the pavement. The third row seating could use more room, but after all it is a midsized suv. This is my 5th Volvo and 7th in two generations. I have 167,765 miles on my vehicle with the original transmission and turbos. Tires have come and gone, but the brakes have only been replaced once. As far as cost of upkeep...I bought a Volvo. No one who buys a Benz complains about price.

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  S60R Sport fun and comfort - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Volvo S60 R - January 5 - 7:50 am

  In looking for a car that would provide good sport handling and still be comfortable to drive on a long trip, the S60R was the perfect choice. The Continuous Control Chassis is great for when you want to hit the corners hard or if you want a nice smooth ride. Good torque curve delivers power over a wide range.

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  I love this car! - 2005 Volvo S40
  By NewVolvoLover - January 5 - 5:10 am

  I fell in love with this car when it first came out. I also considered the Acura TSX, Mercedes C320 and the BMW 330XI. The Volvo won my heart after driving these other cars. Although the stylig inside some of them may be more detailed I stuck with the Volvo. This car is totally unique and looks really sharp on the road! The handling is awesome, the comfort level is perfect I couldnt ask for more. I have no doubt in my mind I made the right choice. I am getting an average of 24-25 MPG through the city so I cant complain there :)

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  Recommend! - 2009 Volvo XC90
  By Peter - January 3 - 3:16 am

  We were looking to go upscale for our next SUV. What first caught my eye was the xc60, which is rated very highly. But when we thought about it, we decided to go one larger and get the xc90, which included the third row. True, its not really made for hauling 7 adults all the time, but it gives us the flexibility to throw a few extra kids on board for outings. Other than that, we find our R-design 3.2 to be classy, fun to drive, we get a lot of compliments, etc. You get luxury and a certain degree of performance as a bonus to safety and versatility. If you want a sports car, buy a sports car. If you want a sophisticated SUV, go Volvo!

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  Volvo XC90 - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Maria - January 2 - 12:23 pm

  Great Driving performance. Does not swerve on slippery roads, snowy roads. Car has great shock absorbers . Smoother ride on country roads

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  09 T6 AWD - 2009 Volvo S80
  By NJdiver - January 1 - 7:43 am

  Let go of our 06-S60 for the new S80. After driving the T6AWD then the 3.2 without AWD decided the ride was much better with the AWD and turbo 6. Its also nice to have the AWD in the Northeast when needed

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  Outstanding SUV - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Trey Young - January 1 - 2:00 am

  This car has everything you could ask for in a SUV. Space,performance, SAFETY. The engine has all the power you will ever need and negotiating multiple children around the interior is easy.