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:

• 

  One swede car! - 2001 Volvo S60
  By ddh716 - September 1 - 10:00 am

  I was drawn to this car by its sexy styling. The car drives well- predictable, quiet, comfortable, excellent acceleration except from a dead stop. Handling favors comfort over sport. The S60 is thoughtfully designed. For example, the sunroof can be opened or closed with one touch. And theres a position that eliminates boominess common with the roof open and windows shut. Why dont other car makers think like this? Overall, quality is excellent. Gaps are straight and the paint looks 6 inches deep. And the interior is flawless. But there are little rattles.

• 

  Never again will I buy a Volvo! Hate it! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By DomandKim - August 31 - 1:46 am

  I hate this car! Bought new, all options but the GPS, over $50K. At 200 miles needed a new fuel tank, original was cracked. Heres what went wrong: Xenon headlight fogged replaced, almost killed myself because they were pointing down, night visibility after reinstall of the new ones was 10 feet! Then the tail lights leaked filled with water, replaced, power steering unit, replaced, computer replaced, fuel tank door fell off 2Xs, windshield wipers broke, CD player and back-up signal beeper stopped working, brakes after 20K miles, tires every 22K miles, water filled the roof, wanted $900 to remove interior to let it "dry out"! Suspension bushings needed replacement, & on & on. I HATE IT!

• 

  The Invisible Wagon - 2000 Volvo V70
  By chauffeur dad - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Kidproof, great seats, and it swallows up the miles. Huge amount of glass makes defensive driving easy. Cops ignore it. You can speed with abandon!

• 

  Safe AND Sorry - 1998 Volvo V70
  By dbw - August 30 - 10:00 am

  We replaced our first used Volvo, an 850 Wagon, with this newer(and better?) model only to find that it is an over- engineered tempermental computer with 4WD. Its performance is very good. I love being able to accelerate rapidly from 70 mph around a semi with no problem, and wet/snow performance is great. BUT...I am constantly starring at that @#*& check engine light. It can illuminate for anything from not replacing the gas cap securely, to an emission control sensor, wire, computer, to who knows what. Cruise control failed after one year and minimal use, and it took 3 trips to dealer to get it fixed. Once the warranty expires, watch out!

• 

  Best Family Wagon - 2002 Volvo V70
  By Dave801 - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Weve had the non turbo automatic version for 1.5 years. Its a very smooth touring car, I think its the best wagon available at a near reasonable price. Quite comfortable although the seats are only OK, those in my other 3 European cars all fit me better (tall/slim). Overall its been an excellent reliable car with just a few minor design issues.

• 

  Serious Competition - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By RPM3 - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Well I had a chance to test drive this SUV at the SF preview and I am very impressed. Quality is excellent and Volvo has done their homework with respect to providing a complete package. I always knew Volvos were safe, but this SUV is truly amazing. Even at full throttle it is impossible to flip this thing. During the test drive we had it going almost sideways at about 55mph and the safety features kept the vehicle always in control.

• 

  Bottom Line-opportunity and wifes opinion on looks of the XC60. - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By kk1969 - August 27 - 6:53 pm

  Was deciding between a 10 XC60 and 09 BMW X3-both slightly used and great prices. Used comparison tools to look at space, residual value, warranties, gas mileage, standard features, etc. Save some $$ and get your own aftermarket NAV/DVD systems Hope this helps somebody...dont think you can go wrong with this car! Most luxurious Ive ever owned and a pleasure to drive! Virtually no road noise!

• 

  So Far So good - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Bodiej13 - August 27 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car for my wife after she looked at BMW 3 series and MB 230. Weve put about 5K miles on it so far with no problems at all to date. The only negative things I can say is the turning radius sucks and the suspension is a bit noisy on bumpy roads. Other than that no complaints. Didnt like the noisy 4 banger on the MB and it seemed smaller. The BMW was the most fun but with similar options would have been 5-8K more and everybody has one.

• 

  Good Vehicle - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Davey60 - August 26 - 8:23 pm

  Bought this as a CPO after my Highlander was totaled - was looking for a little bigger SUV. I am not disapointed. Did lots a research on the SUV and knew enough to stay away from the T6 with its trannsmission problems.

• 

  Great Car! - 1998 Volvo S70
  By K - August 25 - 3:43 pm

  This is my first car and I have had it for almost 2 years. It has been great to me, Ive driven it for about 25,000 miles and it has been great. Only issue was it overheated due to my ignorance of not knowing what coolant was and what it did and drove it like a goof and put $400 down the drain.