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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  2011 C30 R-Design - 2011 Volvo C30
  By Volvo Driver - December 16 - 11:03 am

  We traded in our 2005 Volvo S40 T5 AWD for this new C30. The C30 is even more fun to drive than the S40 was. I was concerned about ride stiffness from the R-Design with the lower profile tires but while the ride is firmer it is not uncomfortable at all on the roads we drive daily. Our choice of styling was confirmed when a new VW GTI that still had the paper tags on it had the driver and two passengers admiring the C30 when we were running side by side on the expressway.

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  Great bang for the buck - 2005 Volvo S60
  By daytrip4fun - December 15 - 3:46 pm

  I compared the Volvo s60r to similar models from Audi, Saab, and BMW. The volvo provided more performance, luxry, and features for less! This car is extremely fun to drive and handles very well. There are not many of these cars on the road, heads turn when they see this Volvo coming... As far as annoyances, the glove box is of poor design and rattles, the dealerships offer no help. It is an admitted problem with the s60 series. As with most performance cars, it REQUIRES the 91 octane fuel, so be ware of that... The car now has about 4k miles on it, tire are already not gripping as well as they did the first day. Of course, I corner sharply at every opportunity!! Love the car...

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  Underrated and under appreciated - 1998 Volvo S70
  By 1S701 - December 14 - 11:20 pm

  Simply put this vehicle is up to the task. I purchased it in 2000 and performed zero maintenance until it was paid for. (4 years). Currently, I replaced almost everything except body parts. That being said this vehicle has over 3 hundred thousand miles and is unbelievably quick. I have run up with 09 Mercedes "C" class of course with ease. So if you can perform your own maintenance thats a plus since most people are absent to how to work on Volvos and you will lose your shirt if you dont have repair skills. Happy driving.

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  If you can only have ONE CAR... - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Shadowfax R - December 13 - 10:00 am

  This is the car to get if you can only have ONE car. It is luxurious and fast, without the S4/M3/C32AMG price tag, but arguably without the status either. It doesnt perform (speed and handling) like the cheaper EVO or STI , but its a car you can drive to a business event and take long road trips without punishing you and your passengers with the ride quality. The S60R is tastefully understated and doesnt attract unwanted attention, but yet an automobile connoisseur will know exactly what it is and what it can do. It is the best all-around car in the $40k range. If you can have 2 cars, then I would get a roadster and an SUV.

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  Lots of problems along the way - 1998 Volvo S70
  By Mercedes/next - December 13 - 10:00 am

  In general I like the car. However, I have had some problems....frequent bulb changes, three batteries (battery just goes dead, replace it and it is fine for 1.5 to 2 years and then it goes again, leather on all inside door panel is puckered (Volvo refuses to repair even though this is clearly their responsibility), wears tires very quickly, problems early on with the brakes. Handles well. I would probably not purchase another Volvo because of Volvos arrogance in not agreeeing to repair the problem with the glue on the inside door panels. Dealer very difficult to deal with and not customer friendly.

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  Overall great vehicle - 2004 Volvo S40
  By Buzz Archer - December 13 - 10:00 am

  The best bang for the buck. After looking at the 2004 A4 and the C230, this was the best car to drive. Not only does it have a great price, but the safety features and basic accessories make this car a must to at least test drive.

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  a beautiful car! - 2004 Volvo C70
  By PEJ - December 13 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my convertible because of the Volvo safely rating and it was the best looking convertible Ive seen. A year later, it is still the best looking convertible on the road! I havent had any problems with the car and it feels very safe to drive. Its nice to be able to take the top down with the push of a button! I doesnt take bumps in the road very well and I have to be very careful of potholes in the road. Otherwise, I love the ride!

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  Dont think Id buy another one. - 2002 Volvo S60
  By ratcher - December 13 - 10:00 am

  This car is fine for someone who rarely transports more than one passenger unless the backseat is for kids. It drives well on all kinds of roads. The interior layout is okay; the stereo system is confusing and a pain to use. They needed to add a changer for the component as well as station/track on the steering wheel. The airconditioning system is also confusing. Blind spots make backing out an adventure, though the flip down rear head rests are helpful. The battery is nearly inaccessible in the trunk (you must hold the trunk floor up with your head to access it), though a jump point is located underneath the hood. Pricey for the quality of the car.

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  I really like this car. - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By mnmlod - December 13 - 10:00 am

  I really like this car when I get to drive it. I have to pry the keys out of my wifes hands. I had a 2002 XC70 AWD and needed more seating. Not only did I get more seating, I got a much nicer, more powerful, more comfortable, and much thirstier vehicle. This drives like a car, very smooth and very quiet inside. The sound system is amazing. The seats are the most comfortable I have been in too. The only downside to this vehicle is that it needs a bigger fuel tank. Mileage is expected to be 15/19 because of horsepower and weight. Youll find no safer vehicle short of a tank. A GREAT VEHICLE !!!!!

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  Exterior Beauty - 2004 Volvo S60
  By amspychalski - December 12 - 3:00 pm

  Bought my S60 used with 60k miles, and couldnt be happier with the price I paid. While I was not completely happy with the overall acceleration from stop (which was greatly improved by adding a cool-air intake for $30), the performance and handling of the car is great. Before the addition of the intake, the car got 30 mpg (around 35 with). I get positive comments all the time regarding the looks of the car. The bi-xenon headlamps, leather interior, and 18 inch wheels are must-have options that drastically change the appearance of the car. The handling on windy roads is fantastic. Acceleration from stop is not great, but makes up for it in the quick jump it can make from 40 to 80+ mph