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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  VOLVO XC90 - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Volvomania - October 28 - 2:00 am

  The XC90 is the most luxurious sport utility I have ever owned. With all the computers on-board, loosing traction is impossible, even in the hardest rain fall. This vehicle is glued to the ground. With all the extras for safety, I am never worried about my family driving it even in bad weather conditions.

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  Built Like a Rock - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By p1b - October 28 - 2:00 am

  Best mid sized SUV for safety and comfort. Plenty of power in the 2.5 version and decent mileage. Vehicle is easy to maneuver and fun to drive. This vehicle safely and comfortably seats children as well as adults. If you no longer need the size and bulk of a minivan and dont want the truck like qualities of most SUVs, this is one of the best choices.

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  Amazing! - 2006 Volvo C70
  By ANNA - October 25 - 6:46 am

  I got this car about a week ago and i love it so much. It is the most amazing convertible i have seen and the best part, it will get you a lot of attention. It drives great with top up or top down and looks great both ways also. I had looked at other convertibles in its class, but i am so glad i picked this one. This has so much more to offer.

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  cupholder - 2001 Volvo S40
  By buzilita - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I really enjoy driving the S40. Its very comfortable and sporty looking. It has a lot of trunk space and handles well.

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  Experience the new Volvo!!! - 2001 Volvo S60
  By mtdewpc - October 25 - 2:00 am

  This is the first Volvo Ive ever purchased. It sure has a sleek and eye-catchy exterior design which takes peoples breathe away. Compare to other non-turboed European cars, its turbo lag really affected its performance - acceleration. But overall, its a excellent driving machine.

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  Home Run! - 2012 Volvo S60
  By tvdon - October 16 - 4:05 pm

  Im a long time Saab and Audi owner, and thought I wanted a supercharged A6. Until I drove the S60. While it doesnt deliver the same power, it combines performance, safety, and comfort in an almost perfect combination. And its priced right. Been driving it since March, and I love it. Could handle a little better at the limits, but dynamic suspension and/or AWD might address that for those that are concerned. This car is as comfortable and powerful as my Aero, with loads of tech, and personality. Black on black. I am very satisfied so far, and enjoy every drive. More interior room that 3 series or A4. Getting 25.5 combined (with a lead foot) and 30 on pure highway trips. Hard to beat. Nice!

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  Excellent buy after much research - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Jeff - October 15 - 6:43 pm

  I just drove this vehicle home from the factory and just love it. It is very solid, comfortable, and it looks fantastic! I got 21 mph in my first 1000 miles and the Premium sound is outstanding. I really like the power of the V8! It shifts smoothly and handles very well. Combined with the warranty and free dealer service, this was a very smart buy.

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  What a great car! - 2007 Volvo C70
  By Doug Caldwell - October 14 - 8:10 pm

  Bought our C70 through the Overseas Delivery Program. You get 2 round trip tickets to Europe (anywhere, anytime, even peak season!), a night at the best hotel in Gothenburg, a free tank of gas (worth about $170!), insurance while you are there, a nice tour and lunch, and of course the car is shipped back. We took the all night ferry to Kiel-a beautiful trip thru the fjords. Ask to book the ferry at the factory, and you get a Volvo discount. We drove thru Germany, France and Belgium then up to Amsterdam, about 2000 mi. The car turned heads everywhere, it gets good mileage and is a practical extravagance. Buy a portable nav with European maps in the US before you go- we didnt, and wish we had

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  2015.5 Volvo V60 wagon FWD - 2015 Volvo V60
  By rara1964 - October 14 - 5:05 pm

  Spreading the word about 2015.5 V60. Ive owned Audis, BMWs, VWs & other Volvos (last car was the XC70), & this car blows me away. Handling is perfect; fuel economy amazing; styling minimalistic but perfect. The technology features are simply amazing. I have a teen driver, so the safety features - warnings when you get too close to the car in front, lane departure warnings, blind spot, rear camera, etc. - are essential. I paid at least $12k more for comparable German cars, and didnt get anywhere near the value or features found in this car. Chose FWD because w/traction control, its nearly as good as AWD. Space & storage also fine, even as compared to the XC70. Better than German.

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  Stylish and Sporty with Volvo Safety - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By H. Lewis - October 13 - 10:03 am

  Overall, we are ecstatic and would highly recommend the XC90 T6 AWD! Definitely go with the T6 AWD for maximum enjoyment and we have had it for six months and average 20 mpg which I think is outstanding. Ours is black with black leather interior and turns heads everywhere we go (especially from BMW X5 owners(!)). We also opted for xenon headlights, nav system, high end stereo, 3rd row, integrated child booster seat (which has been perfect for our now 6 year old (5 when we bought it)), sunroof, wood steering wheel, etc. Have to make deals with wife to get chance to drive it as it puts ALL other vehicles (except Range Rover) in pickup line at kids private school to shame.