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:

• 

  volvo wagon v70 - 2009 Volvo V70
  By nirganua - September 15 - 11:36 am

  As expected a super strong car. My previous wagon, an 2006 v70 saved my wifes life when a foolish man ran a red light and broadsided and destroyed the old Volvo, my wife emerged bloody but ok, she would be dead in a lesser wagon. I immediately bought a new v70 which is bigger and stronger and safer. No more comment needed. Rc mckaughlin

• 

  Fun to Drive - 2006 Volvo V50
  By Seattle-ite - September 15 - 12:20 am

  Bought my V-50 three months ago, and I have really enjoyed this car. I replaced a PT Cruiser that was not working out. The V-50 has more cargo room, handles much better, gets better mileage, is much peppier on the road and is just put together so much better that I cant believe I waited this long to make the change. This is the best car I have owned in 30 years of buying cars. It is big enough to haul cargo, and small enough to park easily. It has that great Volvo turning radius (why doesnt every car maker copy this?) and just feels solid on the road. Visibility is excellent, which was a HUGE problem on the PT. All in all, Im a happy new Volvo owner!

• 

  After First 3 weeks - Awesome - 2011 Volvo C70
  By Jimmy the Greek - September 13 - 10:30 pm

  Beautiful exterior, proven hard-top convertible mechanism. Interior quality is very good. A true 4-seater. Plenty of pep with the 5 Cyl Turbo, although sportscar buffs may not be satisfied. Three weeks old and getting 26 mpg on 85% freeway commute. Wife will be primary driver and she loves it!! I found this upscale convertible to be the best bang for my bucks.

• 

  My Second Volvo S40 2010 - 2010 Volvo S40
  By Larry - September 13 - 5:26 pm

  This is my second Volvo S40 and loving everything about it. The style, fit and finish of this car is very nice. It is a very solid well built car with every bit of safety in it. I just traded in my prius because I wanted more comfort and safety. I would rather pay more for gas and feel safe with my family in the car.

• 

  Great car!!! - 2004 Volvo S40
  By evolvo - September 13 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this car a week or so, 2004.5 model. First time getting an European car. so far I love this car!!! Got August promotion for free premium package plus supplier discount,I think I got great deal on it. (+ audio and climate) It was still over my budget I wanted to initially spend but I think I got a great car that deserve that much money. Also I got 1.9% finance, so it was good. The ride is soooo smoothe and the sound is fantastic. I recommend this car to everyone.

• 

  Quality rating - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By dixgannett - September 13 - 10:00 am

  Have had 2 XC90s. The T5 is a better engine that the T6 with the old GM 4 speed. Mileage is far better, and engine pull is very adequate. Have done reports for Volvo (free of charge) rating this vehicle quite highly. Good to haul stuff, and excellent handling in the mountains, which the engine pulled easily. Quality rating very high on workmanship and quality of materials. Only SUV with the stability control. Highway driveability - excellent - quiet and stable.

• 

  xc90 best in class - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By happy xc90buyer - September 13 - 10:00 am

  looked at and drove md80,rx330, explorer toyota 4runner, all within 2-4,000 dollars. top of the line xc90 43k. seating for 7, seats fold down easy, great view from windows and windshield. more interior Sq feet than others, simple dashboard for many features. will pass on to child in 5 years would buy 2 if had the cash

• 

  fuel economy - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By dixgannett - September 13 - 10:00 am

  I must add, after reading some of the reports. Most talked about power between the T6 and T5. From 0 to 60 MPH, there is only .5 second between the two engines. The T6 gets 20 on the highway, the T5 gets 24. Thats a big difference. For the .5 second, Ill take the T5 any day, expecially with the 5 speed.

• 

  I thought it was a Volvo not a Chevy - 2000 Volvo S40
  By Mr.NolikeyVolvo - September 12 - 3:03 pm

  Paint on the hood and roof looks like someone took a brillo pad to it. It is starting to bubble and peel, and has been garage kept and very rarely driven. Plastic molding strips along the rear window have popped out and even the dealership cant get them back in. Brakes went out once, and are on the way out now. Turbo replaced once, the interior design is horrible. Adjusting the seat angle by turning a knob, whats that about? The cup holder over the radio is another craptacular design that I could do with out. Thank God this isnt my car and Im only driving it till my 91 trans am is out of the transmission shop.

• 

  Amazing car ! - 2005 Volvo V70
  By Harry Garschagen - September 10 - 11:06 am

  After trading in my 1998 V70 T5 with 140,000 miles on the odometer, I bought a 2005 V70R. Performance and handling are simply phenomenal, allowing you to drive at speeds and under conditions normally reserved for high-end sportscars. Build quality is excellent and all controls, switches and gauges are logical and functional.