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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  We now own 2 - 2007 Volvo S60
  By Aaron Barkus - August 10 - 8:51 am

  I baught this car with 89,000 miles after driving my Parents and falling in love with thier 2012 s60. Once you get on the road its great there is some road noise but its also an older small car. Idle is basically silent and the engine sounds amazing. Mine has the upgraded dolby pro logic 2 sound system and its very loud with great quality but the bass just isnt there, the speakers are very capable the settings just wont let u crank the bass. One thing is when you drive really slowly (parking) and its just warming up it shakes and rattles alot. My t5 averages around 24 mixed driving. most of all you fall in love with this car and you cant say that about and Japanese or German rival.

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  Great Car, Very Comfortable - 2007 Volvo S60
  By Mase - August 8 - 3:03 am

  The seats in this car are extremely comfortable. The layout of the dash is very user friendly and ergonomic. The heated seats were excellent. The sound system (HU650) sounds superb. Few parts are flimsy. Rattles too much. Could be a smoother ride. Very quite. Too much curb weight when taking corners. Very fast car. Slow at first, but once at about 35 mph, this car accelerates very smoothly. The turbo is amazing. Makes passing cars on the highway a pleasure. Extremely comfortably ride at 70+ mph. Excellent car, could handle just a bit better.

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  Volvo "Newbee" - 1998 Volvo S70
  By billkcmo - August 1 - 10:50 am

  Never realized that this car would be so fast! Never had an opinion one way or the other about this brand but any 10 year old car that still gets mistaken for new is ok in my book. Very good on long trips. Like knowing that the reserve power is there when I need it. Feels solid and handles well. Dumb not to have a light in the trunk. Gas mileage is the worst feature. Like everything about this car. I am going to keep it in good condition as I cannot think of another car that I would want to trade for.

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  Under Rated Volvo C30 - 2011 Volvo C30
  By PKL - July 30 - 8:30 pm

  We really love the new 2011 C30 R Design we purchased two month ago, so much so we ordered a second one. It handles even better than advertised, very tigthly built and EXTREMELY fun to drive. Due its unique design and Volvo doing a poor job of advertising the C30, its seldom seen on the road, which makes folks stop and look. Its not just another Japanese hatchback/econo box. Most important to us was its best in class safety rating. We did our homework before we bought the C30 and it exceeded our expectations in all areas

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  Didnt expect the clunky-ness - 2012 Volvo XC90
  By mtgvolvo - July 30 - 2:53 am

  Im bulletpointing those things that I find uninspiring: * putting key into ignition takes much accuracy * confusion with central controls for entertainment/ventilation - not intuitive * navigation - very confusing * the pop-up screen for rear assist and navigation being separate instead of built in. it powers upward when in reverse then returns in drive. Imagine going in reverse for 3 seconds and this screen going up hten down while youre driving forward. It sounds like the first component that will malfunction * must slam doors to shut * door lock/unlock system: it takes multiple presses to get the doors to unlock (except drivers) * no power for rear hatch * jerky acceleration

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  Great Euro Luxury Sedan Value - 2007 Volvo S80
  By jeffd - July 29 - 2:50 am

  This car is beautiful, inside and out. Good headroom for tall people, and decent legroom in the back, especially if the seats in the front seat are not 100% back. Good MP3 interface (hint, buy the $10 cable from Radio Shack and dont purchase the option). The mileage on the highway is impressive (around 27 mpg), but around the city is not (around 18 mpg.) The range of the car is a little underwhelming, but the controls and audio are fabulous and easy. The AC works very well, even in a very hot climate. No leaks or air noise, as this is a very tight car. I always thought the old S80s were boring, but with this redesign, the inside and out never get old to the drivers or passengers.

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  Running well - 1999 Volvo V70
  By driver110 - July 28 - 6:25 pm

  We purchased this V-70 over a year ago. Yup, the tail gate cover was loose, but it was easy to fix. Oxygen sensor went out, a little pricy but another easy fix. Gets 22.7 city and 28.9 hwy which increased a bit with new plugs. Overall this is a great little car, I hope to run it to 300,000 which is where my last two Fords gave up the ghost.

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  After 1 month - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By lens - July 27 - 2:00 am

  So far no bugs or defects. Excellent ride/handling. Very nice seats. 3rd row works and folds very conveniently. Flip down 2nd row headrests are nice for visibility. Interior very "clean" without dumb doodads. Nav system also works well and above-dash design makes it safer to consult while driving. Backup sensors also work, and are good for someone (like me) that has only driven sedans before this.

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  2005 S60 - 2005 Volvo S60
  By BC Volvo driver - July 26 - 9:46 pm

  Overall, a great car. Fun to drive, very comfortable. Luxury interior with the leather package, great options. Nice sound system. Feels like a luxury sedan - a joy to drive. Small enough to get around easily in city, fits into small parking spaces.

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  sweds build a nise knife - 2001 Volvo S60
  By salbfone - July 22 - 10:00 am

  nice car abit small in side, brakes to quick to grab, wish volvo had a v6, gas door does not lock, no trunk or gas release lever very annoying, radio reception not great, but besides these small but important things a very nice car with very good promise.