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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  this car is amazing - 2003 Volvo S80
  By chris staff - November 14 - 2:00 am

  the car is fast and it has great exseleration and has beutiful handling and stearing is very smooth

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  Great Car - 2003 Volvo S60
  By ROYBOY - November 14 - 2:00 am

  This car is well designed thoughout the handling, comfort and style. It grabs the road so well I cant imagine needing the AWD feature. We drove from San Diego to Las Vegas in the rain and it drove like a dream. The cabin noise level is great. This is our second Volvo and the not the last.

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  Great Car - 2006 Volvo V70
  By Steve - November 13 - 12:50 pm

  Ive had many Volvos and this is by far my favorite. It has all that you would expect from a Volvo wagon, plus its fun to drive.

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  All Purpose Fun Vehicle - 2007 Volvo V70
  By Moi - November 12 - 10:06 pm

  Great on the open road and mileage has been great city 25 highway 31 MPG. Handles better than my prior bmw even though it is a station wagon. Great for long trips and needing extra space. Too bad the 2008s are being redesigned and dont hold up against the 2007 V70

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  Love this car - 2006 Volvo V70
  By VolvoR - November 12 - 3:16 pm

  Add BSR softloader, IPD sway bars and springs, aftercat and for about 2500 you have totally different "anymal", capable taking on M3, SRT8...

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  Pleased - 2009 Volvo S80
  By szmagsr - November 11 - 2:00 pm

  Own a 2003 BMW 5 and although I loved the look and price of the S80 I was concerned with how I would enjoy the drive. Ive only had it for two weeks, but were getting to know each other and I like it better every day.

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  S-60 AWD give it a look - 2003 Volvo S60
  By pictel_fc - November 9 - 10:00 am

  I tested the Audi A4, Acura TL,BMW 325, all good cars, but I found the Volvo to be the best all around. Although I only have 1k miles on the car, I am very pleased with my decision. Plenty of pick-up, very comfortable seats, well thought out interior, decent ride,handling,and braking. In my opinion one of the better looking exterior designs in its class. I would definately recommend. With the $4,500 "rebate", youd be hard pressed to find a better bang for the buck.

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  Try it and you will buy it !! - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By CT Driver - November 9 - 3:36 am

  I was in a automobile accident and got a settlement that allowed me to get anything I wanted, For the first and last time in my life,price really wasnt an obstacle. I wanted a comfortable vehicle that had easy entry and exit and one that I felt safe in . The Mercedes E-class was "underwhelming",not nearly worth the money (I had owned a 1962 220 SB that felt like it was carved from a ingot of iron,new one, no way).The Audi Q5 was real nice,but the MMI controls and requirement for high test gas were a turn off.Cadillac,Lincoln,Lexus(salesman wouldnt even come over),Ditto for Infiniti. Plus they just didnt feel right.Test drove the XC60 and -wow. I had found my car.

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  The best ever - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Raviv - November 7 - 5:30 am

  I owned 4 different volvos. the S40, then 2 different S60 and now the XC90. The best of them all. A superb SUV... So far I could not find a single bad thing with this car. Had it serviced 3 times so far (12K service intervals), and there was nothing wrong was found. At 23K miles, I replaced front brakes which is not bad at all... I SIMPLY LOVE IT. Fuel is better that expected and I get around 18 MPG. The design of the car is stunning, nice lines, the internal is simply perfect, the external (see my suggestions).

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  I love my Volvo! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By FLRich - November 6 - 4:10 pm

  After driving Acuras for years, this is my first Volvo. Although I love Acuras and their reliability, the Acura MDX is just ugly! I love the way the Volvo looks, handles, rides, and the gas mileage is great for a SUV. So far the reliability has been up to par with my Acuras. I love my Volvo. I wouldnt hesitate to buy another one.