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 is a Volvo? - 2012 Volvo S60
  By abmwfan - August 9 - 8:45 pm

  The dealer gave me an S60 as a loaner car and I liked it so much that I bought one 3 days later. Im a long-time BMW owner and would never have thought Id like an S60, but I was immediately impressed by the combination of comfort, performance, build quality, and classy interior. This is a front-wheel biased vehicle and it will never quite have the handling edge of a RWD car like a 335i, but Volvo found an excellent balance between comfort and performance. The S60 is a more comfortable highway ride with enough power and handling to keep it interesting to drive. I like that this car is HIGHLY configurable to individual driving style and the different settings actually work.

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  fun vehicle - 2006 Volvo S60
  By bill - August 8 - 4:50 pm

  I am the owner of a 2006 volvo S60 It is truly a fun vehicle to drive. Those who think its slow and cumbersome should take the wheel and give it a good run for its money.. You will find that the 2.5T 5 cylinder engine and the auto transmisson will answer your every need. Be it speed to pass a car on a two lane hwy or just to feel the wind rushing by you

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  Reliable car, never had any major major prolems - 2002 Volvo S60
  By atptr139 - August 7 - 10:46 am

  My family has had my 2002 Volvo S60 since its been off the lot. its been super safe, and as a teenage driver, its good to have a reliable car. Maintaining the car is in fact expensive, but worth it. Its saved me from countless close calls from people, from a wide range of coming over in my lane (shoulder saved me) to 40-0 in a couple seconds (city traffic sucks). breaks are amazing and it handles great. would recommend as a safe and reliable car!

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  Wow What a Car!! - 2004 Volvo S40
  By Nick Grice - August 7 - 10:00 am

  This is a really nice car. I just went to college and finished my first. It was a present from my parents and I love evey inch of this car. Its fast, good-looking, and Ive had excellent dealer service.

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  Great - 2004 Volvo V70
  By Zeli Key - August 7 - 10:00 am

  So great. It might look ugly but it is spacious. You can fit many people with the seat belts.

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  02 Volvo 2.4A SR in NC - 2002 Volvo V70
  By palms - August 5 - 10:00 am

  We just bought the car yesterday. We have two children under the age of two so safety and room are most important for us. My wife loves the quietness of the car...(compared to the 99 Jeep Grand Cherokee we drive them in now). We felt we got a great car at a great price...$28000 with leather, sunroof, touring, auto trans, and 10 disc CD. We hope happiness continues.

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  Volvos are the best. - 2002 Volvo S80
  By Rev. Tyrone Edwards - August 5 - 10:00 am

  My Volvo is one of the best riding automobiles I have ever purchased. It is of superior quality and craftmanship. I will definitately purchase another Volvo. My wife loves to drive the safest car in the universe.

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  High Maintenance - 2001 Volvo S40
  By Disgruntled - August 5 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle will cost you oodles in maintenance costs. You will need rear brake pads every 12K-15K miles ($178), and front pads every 25K-30K miles. That means with every scheduled service you can add at least $180 extra for brake pads. Very disappointing! Also, headlamp burned out at 15K miles, and need to take the battery out to replace the bulb!

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  VOLVO XC90 - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By gleger2 - August 5 - 8:53 am

  Very happy with our purchase, it really fits our life syle..bigger than bmw and lexus rx

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  ReVolvolution - 2004 Volvo S40
  By Dubbu2 - August 2 - 10:00 am

  The overall fit and finish of this car is sexy. Ive had nothing but stares and compliments since purchasing this vehicle. Many are amazed to find that its a Volvo. The commute is smooth and quiet. I cant say too much about acceleration, however, because Ive been breaking the car in slowly - but I read that the car reacts quickly and examines your driving style (aggressive/passive) and adjusts to accomodate accordingly.