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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  Nice, but bought the Q7 - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Kevin - May 31 - 10:59 pm

  It looks fantastic inside and out and has wonderful features including safety - Volvos namesake. Interior is truly wonderful. We almost bought it. The technology is not intuitive and quite tricky to use - wonky touch pad and too many screens. The 4-cyl engine is buzzier than competitors smoother 6-cyl options. And the dealership is not the same from a service/experience standpoint as other European options.

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  One Month in a C70-So Far So Good! - 2004 Volvo C70
  By Dave Hirsch - May 31 - 10:00 am

  I am very pleased with this automobile thus far. My only complaint is that after finally having a fully automatic convertible top, it is a bit limiting as to the "built-in" safety limits on using it (must be in Park, Emergency Brake engaged, level ground!). The car is extremely comfortable and well appointed!

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  Yippee - 2010 Volvo C70
  By thirdwiley - May 31 - 5:50 am

  From its Pinifarina inspired design to its Volvo safety and solidity; this is a great car. After 5 months it is still free of squeaks and rattles. Road and wind noise are minimal at top-up speeds up to 85 mph and top-down up to 65 mph. I average 21 mpg at 25 mph and 26 mpg at 65 mph. The Edmunds review software forced me to select a Manual transmission; it only comes in automatic but the transmission works great.

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  Great wagon - 1998 Volvo V70
  By mrpyromaniac - May 31 - 3:30 am

  Just bought this baby with 150k on her, and she runs GREAT!! I checked everything out, suspension, timing belt, etc. Nothing wrong at all. And this wagon is fun to drive!! I would recommend these vehicles to anyone.

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  Disappointed - 2012 Volvo XC60
  By Amber Moceri - May 30 - 8:53 am

  I loved my XC60 when I purchased it new in 2012. Ive put 40k miles on it since then, and it is at the dealer for warranty work for the 4th time. It has currently been there for 5 weeks with no diagnosis, but I received word they would be rebuilding the entire engine currently. It would keep warning the engine oil was low, however when checked the levels were fine. I expected this vehicle to last me another 10 years, but at this rate, I cant risk the warranty running out. It drives great and is comfortable for what I need, but the reliability is questionable.

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  xc70 - 2005 Volvo XC70
  By abeland - May 30 - 8:03 am

  Huge trunk space, good ride confort, average fuel consumption, 11 li/100 Km, annoying vibration problem unsolved yet...

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  Very nice car! - 2008 Volvo C70
  By 2007 Volvo C70 T5 2d - May 28 - 10:33 pm

  After test driving the BMW convertible, this Volvo became an easy choice. Better looks, perfect sound system (please get the upgrade) and best of all has more airbags than I can count. The seats are very comfortable, the interior is nice and easy to use buttons, I also got the Climate package, 6 mo free Sirius, 1 year free maintenance and best of all $10K of the sticker price. All I need now is some sun. Enjoy your purchase.

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  Loving It for Now - 2008 Volvo S40
  By Dave D. - May 25 - 7:53 am

  I have only had it for a couple of weeks so I can not say much about the reliability, but the overall look and feel of the Volvo S40 is everything I was looking for. If you want a smaller refined looking ride that has some speed and handling, look no further. The S40 has a classy but still young and sporty feel to it. For people my age (26) it fits perfectly. The only con is that people looking for a sporty manual transmission the Volvo is not a good pick, but the Five-Speed Geartronic Transmission is very satisfying.

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  My Fun Car - 2001 Volvo C70
  By Errigal - May 25 - 2:00 am

  This was my first fun car and convertible and I have no regrets!!! This is truly a classy, elegant, sexy and sporty vehicle that also provides Volvo safety and practicality. My job involves regional travel and this baby has been a blast to drive with the top down. I am not the best driver of mountain roads but with this car I am confident. It just whips around those mountain curves and hugs the road while the wind whips through your hair and the music plays on one of the best sound systems. If you are shy and dont want to be noticed wherever you go, dont buy this car....otherwise, go for it!!!!

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  Compromise - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By Whel - May 25 - 2:00 am

  After driving an SUV for five years I found this to be a great compromise. We still have the storage space & the allwheel drive ... but I now have an auto thats easier to park, smoother riding & much better looking.