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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  Volvo S40 Fits the Times - 2006 Volvo S40
  By Patch - December 15 - 5:00 pm

  I am 6 foot 2 and was looking for a fun car with a stick and I am so glad my wife found the S40. A former motorcyclist with many miles in Europe under my belt, I was conditioned against a Volvo. The bigger sedans were always driven by drivers who really need the protection of the cage if you get my drift. I was pleasantly surprised by the roominess of the interior on test drive: all three kids fit snugly in the back, the truck was ample, and the handling nimble. Compared to my bikes and other cars, my previous car in the US was a 1991 SAAB Turbo SPG, the little blue car felt spunky but a tad underpowered - sadly the Turbo doesnt come in a stick. 42k later - still a great car at 28mpg!

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  High Maintenance - 1999 Volvo S80
  By William North - December 15 - 6:46 am

  Volvo T6 is generally a great car, but... The maintenance required, frequency of failures, and quality (and high price) of parts means I would never have bought it "if I had known." Examples: replaced the computer chip regulating gas flow 3 times (at $600 parts plus labor), replaced the fuel pump twice, same prices.

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  GREAT GREAT GREAT SUV - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By sigep - December 15 - 2:00 am

  Shopping for a Cross Country, until I test drove the XC90 T-6. Quality and Safety is all about this SUV. Driving the XC-90 will blow you away, its sooo smooth you cant believe its a SUV. OH, did I mention all the Safety features. Purchased it on the spot. You have to experience this yourself, hard to discribe.

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  Frustration - 2001 Volvo S40
  By tmbbmt - December 14 - 3:03 am

  I wanted to get a Volvo before grad school because I always viewed them as safe, reliable, lasting cars. Our old volvo wagon went 330k miles with few problems. This car is one big electrical malfunction. Windshield fluid spray/wipers randomly coming on, air/heat confused as to whether it should be putting out hot or cold air and at high or low, constantly replacing lights, check engine light coming on and off when it pleases (believe this is a sensor issue). Sometimes its like the radio display is possessed. But for me, I kinda lost faith in my car when I stopped in the middle of a toll plaza on 95 and my car shut off and took 15 mins to restart.

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  The Best! - 2002 Volvo V40
  By Anna - December 13 - 7:46 am

  I bought this car overseas with American specs. I drove it three times round trip to Italy and back to Brussels, Belgium (over 20 hours drive) and never had a problem. It spacious, reliable and looks great. I do keep it up. I take it only to Volvo for any required check up or parts. The headlights I only had to change them twice but this is normal for any car. I had little problem with the check engine light but it got resolved. Great car and I would buy it again. Rule of thumb: Take it only to Volvo for any problems and you will never have to complain about it.

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  Superb GT / Shooting Brake - 2011 Volvo C30
  By dccommuter - December 12 - 8:19 am

  After the initial 2000 miles I am very pleased with this car. Excellent daily driver with very good performance. Actual gas mileage has exceeded expectations at 24 mpg around town and 31 mpg on a long highway trip. The distinctive looks draw a bit of attention. Rides much more comfortably and looks much better than the GTI in my view. Everything simply works well. Im particularly happy with the cabin ergonomics. Have not had any wind noise issues as others reported. A refined and reasonably priced car given the free maintenance, especially now that end of year rebates are available.

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  Great Experience so far. - 2012 Volvo XC60
  By outdoorzdude - December 10 - 8:42 pm

  Only have 4000 miles so far but we love the car. After intially taking delivery in Sweden via the Volvo Overseas Delivery Program and visiting Europe for two weeks, we couldnt wait to get the car back and get rid of the BMW. Very luxurious and features on par w/ other luxury brands we shopped. Lots of room for the kids and has that great european feel. Averaging about 25 MPG as advertisied, doing mostly highway driving.

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  Still loving it! - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By geckoxv - December 10 - 2:24 am

  I believe I researched, test drove and compared every SUV on the market. I eventually decided on the Volvo XC60. The Volvo brand has always meant quality and safety. However, when looking at BMW X5, Lexus or Mercedes the same things can be said. The decision was made when I test drove and the $$ was discussed. The test drive blew me away. I felt that the XC60 was everything I was looking for and more.

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  Awesome - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By DougY D - December 9 - 2:00 am

  I am 64", 240 lbs, and I fit this vehicle nicely. Almost every new vehicle presents this challenge to me, either I have no headroom, or my shoulder hits the side beam. Not so on this baby, to quote James Brown " I FEeL GOOD". Power is good and milage is good, the upgraded stero is awesome!

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  Elegance Meets Common Sense - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By S. Baker - December 9 - 2:00 am

  For the price of admission, one gets some of the finest automotive engineering available on the planet. The vehicle handles extremely well in all situations, visibility is excellent, performance is more than adequate and does it with an eye towards fuel economy. Seating comfort is excellent even for my large 62" frame. Controls are easy to see and logically placed for access. Yes, the radio controls are "quirky" and take some getting used to, especially as it relates to changing stations. Using the steering wheel mounted controls simplifies this task once you have preset the stations.