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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  love it - 2010 Volvo XC70
  By Joe - May 4 - 2:00 am

  I also own a 2002 version of the xc70, what a different when I drive this 2010 version. Its so smooth, quiet, a little bit higher off the ground. Good stability on the freeway, must be due to those nice V-rated Continental Contact tires....so far so good on this new purchase. -Joe

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  Love to drive it - 2002 Volvo S60
  By Prescott AZ - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Traded in an S40 (which I loved) for this car. I have no regrets. I look forward to driving this car every chance I get.

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  good overall car - 2000 Volvo S70
  By cube35 - May 3 - 2:06 am

  So far I have been pleased with my purchase. Very comfortable on long drives and the power is adequate. I expected a more quiet ride for a car in this price range. Overall complaints are few except for road noise (on par with wifes previous Honda Accord) and the cup holders are a joke. Like the distictive looks and comfortable seats. Have not had any service issues.

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  Before you buy - 2003 Volvo S40
  By CBG - May 1 - 2:00 am

  I really do like my S40, but the maintenance cost are a bit outrageous. In one year I have spent apx. $700.00 JUST ON MAINTENANCE. Plus every 15,000 miles you have to replace all the break pads ($150). The car is very fun to drive and has great pick-up, but if I had known I would be spending so much money on maintenance I would have stayed with my Toyota.

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  3rd Ones a Charm - 2004 Volvo S80
  By SPike - May 1 - 2:00 am

  3rd Volvo in 13 years; this one is superior. . With 2 booster seats, the extra rear passenger surpasses all other models in its class. The ride is extremely smooth, my wife is prone to car sickness, not in the S80 Its nice to drive a lux sedan that has a bit of "individual personality"; doesnt look like all of its German and Japaneese counterparts with their "generic hi-tech" styling.. Kudos to Volvo for entering the new millenium and exporting their traditional safety and reliabilty to a style and level of comfort that is world class.

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  VOLVO LOVER!!! Great Vehicle! - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Volvo Lover :) - May 1 - 1:31 am

  Edmunds needs to get off their "high horse" and rate this vehicle properly. Ive drove many luxury vehicles and I must say this is the best one. BMW,Audi, Land Rover etc etc doesnt compare to the quality of the materials... And hey dont be bashing the vehicles features just because your tiny mind cant handle the XC90 capability. It has easy to use features, if you know how to simply use an Ipad or Iphone, this touch screen is the same thing. I love how the vehicle "grips " the road! It has the feel of a car, the simplicity of an Ipad for features, amazing quality of materials from the leather seats to the wood grain on the dashboard. Please see this vehicle!

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  Excellent car that saved familys life! - 2006 Volvo S40
  By Will J - April 30 - 9:03 am

  Our Volvo saved our life/limbs! We were recently hit at full speed from a guy who ran a red light! our car absorbed all the impact. None of us were severely injured (thank God!). I miss my Velvet already :-(. We always got tons of remarks on the styling and the interior. Very sturdy, high quality equipment inside and out. Looked great with 18" rims on it. I bought it fresh from the Swedish factory in 2005, and had ZERO mechanical problems in 5 yrs of driving, including driving 2 yrs on the autobahn! My car was totaled in the accident but I plan to get another. I am Volvo for life. :-)

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  I highly recommend this car - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Dave from Chicago - April 29 - 8:33 pm

  I cant say enough good things about the Volvo S40 T5. The vehicle is sporty and refined, delivering nimble handling and peppy acceleration in a sleek and comfortable package. The interior design is as intuitive as it is impressive, with great looks, excellent control placement, and firm yet comfortable seats. The trunk size is also fantastic for its class. For its performance, the fuel economy is exceptional. I regularly get better than 35 mpg on true highway speeds, and I typically average around 25 mpg in the city. City dwellers will particularly enjoy the size of the vehicle, which makes finding parking spaces easy while providing ample interior space.

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  s80-t6 review - 1999 Volvo S80
  By yousef - April 29 - 10:00 am

  the best, most diltitful Volvo i owned, its fast and comfotable, it makes you feel wery well preserved from outside elements in this car. The suspention and steering has alot of room for inprovments.

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  Nice additio0n to the Volvo line-up - 2006 Volvo S60
  By Mike B - April 28 - 12:50 pm

  Was looking for a car for my wife that had safety, comfort, looks and speed. Also didnt want a common choice (Audi, Infinity, Acura, BMW) however we tested them all. The S60R was a real suprise in the interior department - VERY plush and comfortable. Back seat is for children only, though. Trunk is large, and doors are easy to enter/exit. Safety features are everywhere. Exterior is real sharp with sleek lines and sporty look. The fun part of this car is its speed and handling. High velocity going around a big bend in "advanced" is thrilling - tight with great control. Not the sweetest of sounds when under full throttle, but does grow on you. Brakes are teriffic.