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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  Great Commuter - 2007 Volvo S40
  By DJF - September 2 - 2:10 pm

  I have over 100,000 miles on this car in about 3 years. Fun to drive, comfortable and I feel safe in it. No real problems with the car, even ran it down 3 1/2 quarts low on oil with no developing problems. Switched to synthetic oil about 50,000 miles

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  love the car, not the dealer - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Amber Lawson - September 2 - 8:26 am

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  Eats Beamers & Benzes For Lunch! - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Will - September 2 - 6:33 am

  After test driving the Mercedes Benz C230 Kompressor and the BMW 325i I was reluctant to test drive the Volvo S60. The exterior styling is on the conservative side but is very attractive to the eye with better fit and finish than its German Counterparts. With the premium package the interior definitely impresses though it does lack the small details of the Mercedes. That being said the safety features make you forget about the gizmos of the German cars. During the test drive I was impressed with the 2.5 L Turbo and the vehicles handling. So much that my wife said I was grinning ear-to-ear the whole time. I dont know what the Editors are talking about but this car is a blast to drive!

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  Great car for the money - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By Volvo Xman - September 2 - 2:00 am

  The Volvo XC60 is a great vehicle for anyone wanting to purchase in the "realm" of the luxury market. Although the price tag is easier to stomach than Mercedes, Audi, and BMW many of the luxury features you want are delivered, such as plush leather, bluetooth, premium ride. At 100mph the XC60 shows off its stability. "Smooth ride". There is plenty of cargo space, leg and head room, but the electronics such as Navigation system and radio display could be updated. Still a great car.

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  Engineering defect - 2008 Volvo C30
  By lucia5 - September 1 - 4:36 am

  I love driving this volvo, I love it more than the GTI I used to own. BUT the severity of the damage done from an engineering defect with the oil separator has me question volvos reliability. Heres what to do if this happens to you. If you hear a hum that progressively gets louder as the engine warms up, NOT a belt squeal. STOP the car and IMMEDIATELY shut the engine off. Have the car towed to your mechanic or dealership. If you do not stop the car immediately youll ruin the seals in your engine, the crankshaft, timing belt and possibly other parts.

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  My S40 - 2000 Volvo S40
  By Czar - September 1 - 2:26 am

  First, let me say that I do love my car. Its reliable and safe. The problems that crop up are minor but sometimes annoying. Let me first disagree with some: the armrest is fine, paint is amazing and I dont know what glare theyre talking about. That being said, I believe the manual seats could be redesigned, and the cup holder is atrocious. Rear locks do stick. A lot of little nothings. However, its a blast to drive at speed. It also handles reasonably well and I like the stiff feel. Its also very safe speaking from fender-bender experience. I recommend it as a great college car (when I bought it, anyway).

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  Pulled into vovlo dealer on the way to buy an acura ona whim and was sold! - 2011 Volvo S60
  By zugisland - August 31 - 9:48 am

  Just bought my S60 after looking and driving many other vehicles.!st the others. Lexus ct200 hybrid interior cabin too small at 6ft my head was hitting cieling also there is much concern about this cars performance in the winter . Audi A5 , this would have been the primary competetion to the S60 purchase and although the A5 might be a tad handsomer and its feature set is also maybe a bit more sophistivcated I guarantee if you drive both the Volvo blows it away as far as driving dynamics. A5 211 hp 4 banger cannot come clsoe to the power and smoothness of the s60 Also the steering on the A5 was very loose compared to the volvo not to say I got my 2011 with a hefty 3grand rebate free maintence and 1.9% all vs full msrp 3.9% and no main on the audi and it was a no brainer. oh yes also drive the Bmw 328i aawd but had to spend a fortune to get the paackage with HID zenon lights . Was shocked at the numbner of cars BMW sells with 20 yr old halogens ...come on people why would anyone spend 40 plus grand on a car with those candles for lights.. I will not buy a car without this important safety feature and the S60 with its adaptive headlights are a winner. Wow almost forgot i did twest the new Saab 95 with a 10 grand rebate for obviouso reason and alhough i liked the sabb the best of all I was concerned aobut saabs viablitiy as a company and the potential hit to resell i may have taken and thus ended up in a S60...the only negative is i would have liked to see a better tpm which shows the inflated value of each tire rather then one which just lights when any tire gets low but you dont know which one...and there is no holder for a cell phone anywhere...missed that on the test drive..love the cool auto headrest down function for the rear to give me better visability when no one is in the bac

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  Love the XC90 - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By PJ - August 31 - 5:00 am

  This car is really cool to look at, but more importantly so safe! It drives so well and is so sturdy on the highway. Even in windy conditions or passing a truck, it hugs the road and never blows around. It has lots of interior room and is very comfortable.

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  First one Ive seen in person is ours... - 2018 Volvo V90
  By MKMc - August 30 - 8:08 pm

  Ordered through Volvo Concierge Service in February. Arrived last week. Maple Brown with Blonde Leather, Convenience pkg, heated strg wheel/windshield, 20 inch alloys, air ride susp, 115V power outlet rear, integrated split end pipes and load liner. Driven about 300 miles and this wagon is very impressive. Tight, drives smaller than it is, fit and finish perfect, systems fairly intuitive, fantastic acceleration, wi fi hotspot works great, tons of room in backseat. I really wanted the B & W sound system, but at $3200, it was a no go. Volvo has a home run here.

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  NEED EXPLANATION, - 2018 Volvo S90
  By R.Werwinski - August 30 - 6:26 am

  STILL LOOKING , I see comments on the ride and some problems with the console screen.. Hope to get some responses from Volvo makers on anything being done to answer these negative comments. Thank, you