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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  Whats with the lights! - 2002 Volvo S80
  By Cavpilot - November 27 - 8:03 pm

  What a beautiful car! We get lots of complements on looks and styling. Its fun to drive and with the T6 Turbo, it can get up an go with the best Europe has to offer. Very comfortable, great heated seats and the sound system is can really crank it out. It rides like a dream and handles well too. Overall we are pretty pleased with the car. Now the BAD NEWS....We have had the car for 3 years and it has been in the shop more than 10 times for a variety of problems. The biggest offenders are the head lights and daytime running lights. We have had them replaced no less than five times. The front brakes had to be replaced at 35K miles, which seems a little early for normal driving.

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  Best value! - 2005 Volvo S80
  By Kelly - November 27 - 10:13 am

  This has been my 2nd volvo and theres no other car I would buy. In 2003 I was in a 40 mph head on collision with a BMW and this car held up. My car was totaled however my life was spared. Until that day, I didnt relize how safe volvos were. It really is the BEST car out there. You can never put a price on your life.

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  Good Car - 2005 Volvo S40
  By jay - November 26 - 1:20 am

  Car runs great in Snow. The winter mode and traction control kept the car rather stable while driving in the first blizzard of 2006. The car has plenty get up and go for a small sedan.

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  C-70 with Automatic - 2008 Volvo C70
  By Squashie - November 25 - 12:43 pm

  Ok, Ive looked at BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, and all other convertibles. This is the best blend of top down. Fun to drive, fuel economy, and good looks out there. Im a rather large person, 65", close to 300 lbs k, with rather large feet. I found the spacing on the manual 6 a little too close, but the auto 5 is great! Besides, I dont drive F-1 so all of that shifting may, or may not be, necessary. The fit and finish are great. Love the seats, the lines and the admiration of others. (white car, light leather interior and tinted windows) Mid-life crisis with no direct link. Looked at a red one, but liked the white better. Could use possibly a more higher profile tire, Texas roads

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  Buyer Beware! - 2000 Volvo C70
  By Big Dummy - November 24 - 8:00 am

  Nice looking car. That is where it ends. A full array of electrical problems, transmission issues. The dashboard looks like a x-mas tree from day 1. Absolutely a horrible vehicle,. Looks nice, but I went with a BMW this time. A 40,000 hunk of electrical nightmares.

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  So far, GREAT! - 2004 Volvo S40
  By Timscotland - November 23 - 2:00 am

  My wife drives a V70 D5 a car I have been very impressed by. I am now middle aged and therefore have been required to go for a sensible car. My Honda Accord TypeR had to go and I have to be a grown up :-( Enter an S40 T5 so much torque, quiet (great news after the Honda) 30mpg at 90mph I love this car. Even running in, resticted to 3000rpm, you are traveling at 90+ but as the milage goes on (now at 1100 in 10 days) the engine gets better and better. The 6 speed gearbox is smooth and precise, better even than the Honda with its award winning box, even if 6 speeds are unnessisary with the car.

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  My Volvo - 2004 Volvo S80
  By arnoldsail - November 23 - 2:00 am

  The car is a great disappointment. It handles like a truck and steers like a truck. The break and accelerator pedals are dsngerously close together. The brakes are very unreliable. Some of the time they engage near the top and at other times I have to push all the way down before they engage. The dealer tells me that is normal. The dar has the worst power seats I ever had.

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  Loving IT - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By duncan yeung - November 23 - 2:00 am

  Car is fun to drive and I didnt know this car has a such great performance until I attended the volvo experience in Fontana. Driving the same model car through the track, I believe I made a good decision. Reliable, Stylish, Comfortable and luxurish. All in one! Except certain software bug--Trip Odometer reset itself.

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  The best SUV - it had to be a Volvo - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By ig_mb - November 23 - 2:00 am

  This car is the best car I ever had. It drives beautifully and the ride is wonderfully quiet. The engine is powerful and wants to play. Push the gas and feel the dual turbos push you into the seat! It is also the safest truck on the street, both for its occupants and for other cars. If that werent enough, it turns heads on the street and parking lots alike. I cant count how many strangers have complimented me the car.

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  V40 Volvo Wagon - 2002 Volvo V40
  By Reg - November 22 - 10:00 am

  This is a 2000. The interior is cramped. Poor placement of electrical control in the center pedestal as are hand brake and flip-flopping armrest.The locations of coin and cup holder are poorly located. Some of these defects were corrected in the 2001. Only the epress window control is located in the drivers door armrest and no window control is provided in the passengers armrest. Michelin tires improve driving and durability.