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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  AWESOME - 2004 Volvo S40
  By sensabmc - October 31 - 10:00 am

  They say that you will know good art when you see it. When I saw this car for the first time, I knew I was looing at something special. The design of this car makes a statement and is unlike anything else on the road. Definately fun to drive and turns heads no matter where you go.

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  A keeper - 2007 Volvo S40
  By ndotym - October 30 - 10:34 pm

  I purchased this car from internet sales new, people say the 2.4I is a low in non perfoming car they dont drive this vehicle on the highway, the turbo would of been nice but I plan to keep this one, its a blast with power to spare in manual mode. I get looks all the time, just turn 65,000 and my servicing dealer tells me its a keeper, and I will drive it to the wheels fall off. I have the select package black and dark gray interior tetech, no problems just normal servicing, two sets of tires. Volvo did its job with this one. I believe the 2.4 motor should stay in the Volvo line up. great motor.

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  Never again - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By joggin jonny - October 30 - 5:30 pm

  This is my third and last Volvo. I said that after the second one but my wife talked me into it again. Tires and rims replaced due to front end shake. Cracked front suspension member, Loud noisey vibrating turbo. Transmission that downshifts like a manual. Drive train that clunks like a u-joint going out. All this for over $40k? Potential SUV buyers would do well to look elsewhere.

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  I love this Vehicle - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Liz Lerch - October 29 - 5:36 pm

  This is a great vehicle. It is very well engineered. The third row seat is so easy to use and the kids love it back there. The car feels solid and safe. It holds the road beautifully and is quiet inside. I feel encapsulated in quality and luxury when I drive it. The stereo sounds great and is easy to use as are the temp controls. I drove a lot of other cars before choosing this one and none of them came close to the quality of the XC90.

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  We are now Volvo fans - 2007 Volvo V70
  By alphamobile - October 29 - 7:37 am

  Ours is a 07 model and we bought it in 10 with 32K miles. In two years I have put close to 30K miles on it. It being our first Volvo, and first Euro car for that matter of fact, its been a very pleasant car. At first we were feeling iffy about due to our fear about the notorious high cost of maintenance of Euro cars. Fortunately, in two years the only repair expense (not including regular maint.) was $150 to replace the brake vacuum pump. It certainly helps that our local Volvo dealer repair shop has very competitive pricing. The car is quite powerful and handles quite well. Some critics say its not very sporty when compared to BMW. But not everybody needs or really wants a BMW.

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  Great Car! - 2007 Volvo S60
  By J-Mac - October 28 - 7:40 am

  I purchased my Volvo S60 T5 back in July. I couldnt be more happy with the car. The included features are excellent. It is a sporty sedan that is definitely fun to drive. You owe it to yourself to at least give it a test drive. I drove a half dozen cars when I was shopping around and the S60 was by far the nicest car for the price.

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  fast fast fast!!! fun fun fun - 2001 Volvo S40
  By volvo for life - October 27 - 6:46 pm

  I must say, from someone downgrading from a 2000 BMW 3 series this is an awesome car. Its very reliable, fast and handles like a race car. You can keep up with any car on the road with ease. The steering is very quick and responsive for a Volvo. I read and saw that many people did not like the cup holders, but i do, because i think its different. Although i am grateful to have this car, i must say i wish the suspension was a little firmer and not as soft, but hey it still handles great!

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  V70 is the best - 1999 Volvo V70
  By lincoln - October 26 - 11:13 pm

  Never a problem, has never let me down. Repairs are always less than I thought they would be. Just a great car.

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  VOLVO S60 - 2004 Volvo S60
  By DORWIN - October 26 - 10:00 am

  GREAT LOW KEY SALES GROUP. PURCHASED BELOW DEALER INVOICE BECAUSE OF VOLVO INCENTIVES. SOLID ROAD READY CAR THAT ZIPS AROUND TOWN AND IS SOLID ON THE FREEWAY. STYLING WILL NOT BECOME DATED.

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  First Year XC90...Gremlins - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By hpark - October 25 - 10:13 pm

  Bought the T6 as a certified used car from a local dealership in 2004 with 24K on it...thank goodness for warranty as this vehicle was in the shop too often..during our first year of ownership approx 4 visits and about 1.5 months of non-use as they finally determined the engine block was cracked which caused a perpetual coolant bleed into the cylinders...plus since then sunroof drain blockage caused water to leak into the vehicle and soak all of the electrical in front. Tires burn through in about 20k miles and a window switch that sank into the door panel. Guess this is part of the First year gremlins that came out...long story short...I think the Japanese earned their quality reputation.