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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  Excellent Car! Great Price - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Cindy Fabre - September 28 - 2:36 am

  I have this car fully loaded. The navigation is great. It prompts you, big screen, and is accurate. I also love the DVD system. The twin screens are great. The car drives smoothly, and I have no problems (knock on wood). I had previously owned the merceds that had issues every few months. This is an excellent value for the price and you can put the cheap gas in. The Booster Seat is also a great feature.

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  Solid security, bad seats, headrests - 2000 Volvo V70
  By Viola - September 28 - 2:00 am

  Okay, so I opted for the most incredibly safe car for my family. Miami has the worst drivers so there was no option in my mind. On the other hand,I must put up with that ridiculously redesigned solid headrest that juts my head and neck forward. I have had to build up the seat with pillows and supports just to NOT go the the physical therapist! The sound system is minimal but I can hum a happy tune whenever I am thankful after viewing or being in an accident.

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  if you live in new york stay away - 2003 Volvo S40
  By jack tawil - September 28 - 2:00 am

  ive had this car for a year the cars performance as far as pick up is great. in the snow it sucks , if you hit a pot hole you need a new wheel base a tire and an alignment. the car really could get on your nerves. maintenance very pricy. overall sometimes it could be your friend but in a second it can back stab you

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  Volvo Turbo runs like a dream - 2001 Volvo S80
  By Jon Entine - September 28 - 2:00 am

  This car hums. It drives beautifully in city and highway, with effortless automatic shifting. Its also an eye turner.

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  Respectible ride - 2008 Volvo XC70
  By Effigy3 - September 26 - 11:03 pm

  My previous 7 vehicles were VWs so changing to Volvo was a leap. I had an S40 T5 AWD for 6 months before "surprise" 2nd child arrived. Traded for the XC70 for the added room. The ride on this car is excellent for its class. It feels more like a luxury sedan and less like an SUV. Compared to my previous Passats it feels much roomier which is great for our family of 4. The built-in DVD players are a big hit! (DVD+R work just fine.) Its exactly the kind of solid, thoughtful, classy vehcile that I would expect from a Volvo. I average 18 mpg under mixed driving conditions (22 mpg higway) using a responsible "kids in the car" driving style and 89 octane gas.

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  The understated luxury car - 2008 Volvo S80
  By Mike Schumer - September 25 - 4:59 am

  The Volvo S80 is a great car if you dont care about status but still have luxury. It is one of the safest cars on the road. Yes its ride is so comfortable and disconnects you from the road but that is nice sometimes, especially on long trips. I own a Mini Cooper so I get my road jollys with that. People complain about the inadequate performance of the base engine. I find that to be a ridiculous statement. Its not a sports car, its a luxury sedan that handles any road situation under normal circumstances. This is my second Volvo, my first bought new in 2003 and still have it at 235,000 mile. Volvos are known for longevity. Yes maintenance and some problems will arise but its not as expensive as a BMW or Mercedes and will probably outlast both of them. This is a practical luxury car. Its not for people that care about what others think or how fast you can go from 0-60. I got Volvos 2008 flagship with 48,000 miles on it for $12,500. Not bad for a car that should be around at 235,000 miles.

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  Traction problem - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Longford - September 24 - 10:10 pm

  Has been getting stuck everywhere! Recent snow has highlighted problem. Great satisfaction of Land-Rover driving rescuer. Has been to dealer before, who said 4 wheel drive was working normally. NO IT ISNT! Will go to an independent if Volvo cant sort it. Suggestions are a damper in the software, or a gearbox fault. Been very satisfied with overall package, but wife now wants a 4x4 that does not humiliate on a little bit of snow, or wet grass.(Hello Land Rover!!)

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  C70 A lot of fun - 2006 Volvo C70
  By Steve Buschel - September 24 - 2:03 pm

  The car is wonderful. Handles great; Styling is excellent. Interior is very well appointed. Manual transmission is smooth to shift. A real fun car to drive. the retractacle roof opens and closes with ease. With the top up you would never know the car is a convertible. The road noise is almost non existent.

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  My First Volvo - 2005 Volvo S40
  By judy - September 23 - 12:40 pm

  This is my first Volvo and I came to it from a Mazda Miata. I do miss the performance of the Miata, my Volvo seems a tad sluggish at times, but overall a good car. My (older) parents are able to get in and out of the car easily and the three of us can be comfortable enough. I dont have any regrets, but the Miata was more fun.

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  Best Car I ever owned - 2000 Volvo S80
  By 123@aol.com - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Our family has been buying Volvos since 1980, and this is by far the best one yet. Fast, comfortable, and great sound system.