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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  Fun - 2004 Volvo S40
  By JohnKeith - April 30 - 1:03 pm

  I have had this car now for 2 years and it has a little over 33,000 miles. So, I feel comfortable to finally give my review. It has been a great car and VERY reliable. I traded my 2003 Accord in for it...and never looked back. The only thing I wish, I would have gotten the T5

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  Mostly great! - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By WSB - April 30 - 10:06 am

  This is our 6th Volvo, but not necessarily our favorite. While the XC90 provides seating options that our V70 wagons and S70 and S80 sedans could not provide, the 2.5T engine is clearly underpowered for the weight of this vehicle. Gas mileage is POOR and would have been worse if we had chosen the V8. We love the safety features of this vehicle. It handles well and is roomy enough for our passengers--- mostly children.

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  THIS IS JUST HONEST - 1999 Volvo S70
  By TOO BAD - April 30 - 8:50 am

  I so wanted a volvo. Less than a year after purchasing my car my check engine light went on - it has basically been on ever since. Try passing AIMS test with that. I have paid several times to have the car hooked up to a "Volvo" computer to get the problem codes. Ater a while, I just taped a picture of my dog over the numerous lights that go off and on for no apparent reason. It is comfortable inside and looks great on the outside. Hate the cup holders (what genius designed that) Anyway, hate the thought of buying another car but may have to - will it be a volvo, for sure - NOT. Give me the basic designs of the 60s and 70s when you used to be able to change your own oil!

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  Hating the payments - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By poor man Rey - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Way too many electrical problems for a car of this status. I did just had a wreck which was my fault. 20 mile/hr and did little damage to my car. Only killed one of my side panels if that tells you anything but absolutely destroyed the poor domestic car in front of me. My damages totaled 11,000!!! I was told that if my air bags deployed that would cost me an addition 5,000 to reinstall. I love my car and think that it is the sexiest set of wheels on the road. Boy but am I ready to finish up with these payments.

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  A beautiful, elegant convertible... - 2004 Volvo C70
  By fredisenb - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Its a convertible that is elegant and stylish. We found it to be the perfect convertible because of the performance, style and the very roomy backseat. The stereo with its 12 speakers is awesome and the interior quality is superb. Volvo has also taken care of adding numerous safety gadgets to make this a fun and safe car to drive. After test- driving all of its competition I found it to be the best value all-around. If you are shopping around for a convertible that does NOT yell out "teeny bopper or mid-life crisis vehicle" than this is the car for you. A GREAT CAR!! Now run out and get one Im off for a ride ( top down of course!!) in mine now!!!

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  v70s great - 2001 Volvo V70
  By gman - April 28 - 10:03 pm

  car drives like and suv and performs like a sports car handles well at high speeds and does well off road.the looks are very manly and the inside very womanly. the ground clearance is very high and better than most pickups. interior comfort is very good and the noise level inside is very low. the stero is excellant with the safty features be best around.

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  In one word: "Unreliable " - 2001 Volvo S80
  By michaeloo - April 28 - 7:13 pm

  Unreliable and poor build quality describe this car. Always something going wrong on it. Consumes too much oil. Enough to catch you by surprise. 7500 miles intervals is not enough for a bi-turbo car. How could Volvo suggest such long intervals?? Torque steer in this class is simply unheard of. But the S80 has it by the loads. Dont buy this car. Stereo is poor. Cup holders are a joke.

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  Made From Volvonium - 2006 Volvo S40
  By bbradley - April 26 - 10:10 pm

  I bought the S40 T5 "slightly used" at the beginning of the year; it never let me down once. The car looks cool without being flashy and the interior is smartly designed. It just plain runs and is sturdy as an ox. It even has above-average pickup for such a tiny 4-door packed with so many options. Unfortunately, 10 months later due to some questionable road conditions I got intimate with a concrete wall. The Volvo wasnt exactly indestructible-- the entire drivers side was smashed in. I was a bit smashed in myself, but thankfully nothing permanent. Im convinced that the Volvo saved my life. Im driving a clunker today, but you can bet that Ill be a Volvo customer for life.

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  Superior performance..excessive troubles - 2001 Volvo V70
  By volvojapan - April 25 - 11:30 am

  I bought this volvo a year ago. The engine performance, styling, and comfort is like no other. However, I have had too many problems...suspension parts, rubber bushings, brake booster, light bulbs, turn signal relay switch have been replaced in a 12 month period. My previous Toyota 4runner I drove for 5 years and not one single problem. I had the opportunity to drive a Toyota while my Volvo was being repaired and I will say that even with the constant little troubles, the Volvos ride, performance, and craftsmanship are way above the Japanese and American cars I have owned in the past. Conclusion....even with the little problems, I still love my Volvo.

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  Elegant luxury - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Jo - April 24 - 2:35 pm