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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  Love It! - 2006 Volvo S60
  By GabbyGirl - August 31 - 5:13 am

  I absolutely love my car. As soon as I set foot in it, I knew it was meant for me. I stopped my search immediately. It drives wonderfully and I feel so safe in it. Also, the people at Volvo are so helpful and on top of it. From the dealership to the customer service phone line, they have impeccable service. Overall, I am extremely happy with my purchase of this car.

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  Volvo S40 - 2002 Volvo S40
  By nsherid3 - August 30 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. Rated one of Consumer Reports top ten for 2002, the Volvo S40 is a fun, sporty, peppy automobile, that has all the comfort and responsiblity of being a Volvo, the safest car on the road. The S40 handles and drives like a dream, stops on a dime, while having excellent fuel efficiency.

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  Love my Volvo - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By viking551 - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Best auto I have every had....all the space Ill ever need, third row seats, plush luxury. All this with 18/24 mpg on REGULAR GAS. Everything I wanted!

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  No better wagon for the $ - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Rick Stadler - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Ive been driving this wagon for almost 3 years and still love it. Its fast, responsive looks great and hauls a bunch of stuff (or 7 people with the 3rd row). Its still a solid ride, never been in the shop for anything other than regular maintenance. Cup holder lost its spring and original 17" tires (too loud) swapped for Michelin Pilots. Its only fair competition is the BMW and MB wagon (at least another $10K more). No mini-van or SUV comes close in terms of value, style, performance. In response to previous comment on 01 wagon being a "jerry-rigged Ford" ...Ford bought Volvo in 99 when the new model was already at the auto shows.

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  a long time waiting - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By chrisandpatty - August 30 - 10:00 am

  After waiting 6 months and paying MSRP we now have decided that it was worth the wait. There were times the MDX or the X5 almost won us over but we now have a car as luxurious and certainly for now not as common. The children love all the extra room.

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  2006 2.5T AWD XC90 - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Andy - August 28 - 2:30 pm

  Great use of space. Either 7 people or lots of cargo space. I live in Colorado and the turbo provides excellent power for high altitude driving. Had some friends compare a Lexus rx with an xc90 on I-70 in the high winds (40-50 mph and gusty) that we sometimes have on the front range, and they said the xc90 was vastly superior. Dont know about the Lexus but my xc90 handles these winds like no other car Ive ever driven.

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  Volvo XC-90 - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Vickie Anger - August 28 - 2:03 pm

  Absolutely love the car.

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  fun but slow - 2001 Volvo S60
  By william newman - August 27 - 7:56 am

  As an accident reconstructionist, safety is #1. Volvo has always been the leader and thats why I drive one. Volvos build quality is always 1 step up from most. Our 60 was used but certified with an extended warranty. The standard motor is adequate but not much acceleration. But it makes up for it in fuel economy 30mpg. The ride is a bit stiff. Would not recommend for long trips. Volvo replaced the transmission at 48k but it only cost of 50.00. I wouldnt buy any vehicle without an extended warranty. Volvo for at least part of my life.....

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  R VOLVO - 2005 Volvo V50
  By jo & sue - August 25 - 12:23 am

  WE always wanted a Volvo and now we have the 2005 V50T5 sports wagon. We are enjoying the ride and comfort. We live in Germany and with the snow on the roads it is nice to have "W" for road conditions. The only thing we dont like is the front cup holders.

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  Glad to get rid of it - 2003 Volvo S40
  By timo - August 24 - 10:00 am

  Was shocked at what a high matainance car it was. Aside from ride and being safe, the cost of breaks every 15,000 miles and tune up every 7,500 (one over $500) if you want Volvo to do it. Also, went through 6 headlights in 6 months (warrenty covered) and A/C needed work. I was glad to see it go and went for more reliable and smoother riding Toyota