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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  Standard Safety Features - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Scott C. Wadley - November 30 - 2:43 pm

  This vehicle is very appealing from outside to inside. The features are very distinctive and attractive.

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  1st volvo - 2004 Volvo S80
  By eplus - November 29 - 10:00 am

  The 4C option is great its like 2 diffrent cars /sport and comfort.Premium sound system way better than Cadillac I leased.Quieter smoother and faster than the 2001 cadillac seville.Driver seat very comfortable on long drives .So far at 5500 miles best car ever had.

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  Fantastic SUV - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Robert - November 27 - 3:06 pm

  Best Vehicle I have ever owned. I have driven many SUVs but never had so much fun, comfort, and reliability in one vehicle. I highly recommend going with Volvo. Well thought out design and great safety features.

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  EXCELLENT CHOICE!!! - 2002 Volvo S60
  By INDIANAJONES73 - November 27 - 10:00 am

  THIS IS THE FIRST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED AND I AM VERY PLEASED WITH MY PURCHASE DESCISION. I DROVE THE JAG, BMW, AUDI, AND ACURA AND WAS BLOWN AWAY BY THE RESPONSIVENESS OF THE 2.4T. THE CAR IS NIMBLE AND THE RIDE QUALITY IS UNSURPASSED. THE HUGE LIST OF STANDARD FETURES ARE A GREAT BONUS AS WELL.

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  Loving it! - 2016 Volvo XC60
  By PSim - November 23 - 10:22 am

  My R design with E drive is very economical, easy on gas...but accelerates like a rocket, great performance. Super comfortable interior, and a super solid Volvo design as I would expect. No flimsy feeling doors on a Volvo! I highly recommend

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  Shines in bad weather - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Guillermo - November 20 - 6:26 pm

  All around solid vehicle. Its an Ocean Race Edition, but with the 5-cylinder engine (thats how it was packaged in Canada). You only need a V8 if you plan on towing. Drive it in and around Calgary, which gets a wide range of weather conditions. The AWD is particularly impressive in the rain and snow (winter tires are necessary for half the year, of course). Other than routine scheduled maintenance, have only had a couple of fixes (head light and wheel bearing) which were covered under warranty.

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  V40 vs. Passat - 2003 Volvo V40
  By jseattle - November 20 - 2:00 am

  We purcahsed the V40 over the Passat for three reasons: 1) no turbo lag in the V40 compared with noticable lag and kick in the Passat; 2) better exterior styling in the wagon configuration; and 3) better interior trim finishes-dash and leather feel. The engine feels like a V6 and is w/o noticible turbo lag and accleration wheel pull on the front wheel drive. Both we felt could have been better on the Passat we test drove.

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  The Perfect Car for Me, Recommend It !! - 2005 Volvo S40
  By mattkorey - November 19 - 8:46 pm

  This was exactly what I wanted and after having it for 10 months I just love it. And the European delivery program is unbeatable. A free trip to Europe basically and a discount on the car. You keep looking for the catch and there isnt one. Im now a member of the cult of Volvo it appears. The car has a lot of get up and go and the body style is great looking. Love the black/black leather that I selected, looks so sharp. The interior is really cool as well, the console is very unique, as is the car overall. Its nice not seeing your car everywhere you look. Couldnt recommend it highly enough.

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  2006 XC70 - 2006 Volvo XC70
  By William A. Shue, Jr. - November 16 - 12:03 am

  The 2006 XC70 is a solidly built SUV. Just getting inside and closing the door seems to quiet the outside world immediately. Its quiet on the highways and handles quickly in turns -- better than I expected for a wagon and an SUV. Its exceptionally comfortable for long rides and the HU850 radio with DolbyII truly make an audible difference. Im getting 15 MPG about town and 25 MPG on the highway according to the built-in computer. Im happy to have purchase it.

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  Cool and Reliable Car - 2002 Volvo S60
  By shop74 - November 14 - 4:33 pm

  I purchased mine 5 years ago used at a Volvo dealership with 55k miles on it. No major problems with it whats so ever. I replaced the alternator 3 years ago and that was only out of pocket expense at about $600. It has 125,000 miles on it now. I just went back to dealership to have fuel pump replaced and they did free of charge because of an extended warranty still on that part!!! Love my car and glad I did not sell it last year. I am keeping until it wont run anymore. Love foreign cars, Volvo for life. Worth every penny. The red paint looks still brand new. I have had a Lexus, BMW and Mercedes but love the Volvo reliability.