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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  My first Volvo. Love it!!! - 2009 Volvo S60
  By Jeremy - May 31 - 3:40 am

  I really really like this car. My last car was a 2007 Camry. I test drove some BMWs and Benzs and liked this better. It is pretty quick and easy to drive. It can go pretty fast when you need it to. I have gotten so many compliments on it too. The engine sounds really good and you gett all the torque from 1500-4500 rpms.

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  Not reliable any longer - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Dianne - May 30 - 10:56 am

  When my husband passed I needed a reliable car. I purchased a used XCV70Turbo in June 2004. I have driven Volvos for 30 years, 7 new and this one used. I felt confident I had a dependable vehicle. The car performed well until February 2007 when the engine began missing and stalling. My dealer said the engine has failed and is ruined. It is still under warranty but the warranty company refuses to honor it. The car has 75,000 miles on it. I now have no car and it will cost me several thousand to just get it off my hands - I still owe more than the dealer will give me even for a trade in. I will not be throwing this kind of money at Volvo ever again. Sad ending to a long friendship w Volvo.

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  Best Buy! - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By wmead3 - May 30 - 10:16 am

  Purchased our XC60 a month ago, and its been great. Driving is incredible, and comfort level is awesome. I may have to buy another Volvo because my wife doesnt give me permission to drive this one much. Great job Volvo!

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  Big disappointment - 2002 Volvo V40
  By DJ_in_WA - May 29 - 10:00 am

  The car has been plagued with electrical problems the dealer has been unable to identify and correct. Random stalling and loss of power steering have made the vehicle unsafe to drive. The excellent overall design, spaciousness, and comfort features are overshadowed by the cars fundamental unreliability.

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  FUN - 2001 Volvo S40
  By krick - May 29 - 10:00 am

  Great fun car for the price range. Reliable w/no problems whatsoever.

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  Best car I ever had - 2007 Volvo S80
  By tacomatim - May 28 - 4:38 pm

  I have driving Volvo cars since 1979. This is by far the best Volvo I have ever had, and I can also say the best of any cars I ever had. It run smoothly, sounds great (typical of a V8 with dual exhaust), runs economically and still have the necessary power when needed. I highly recommend it!

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  another volvo - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By 2ndVolvo - May 28 - 12:33 pm

  I drive 1995 Volvo 850, and my wife had 2003 Honda Pilot SUV. Right away after we test drove 2.5T XC90 I decided to trade-in the honda SUV ( which started to show degradation in suspension and interior quality after only 2.5 years). I test drove 2.5T again and felt that 5- cylinder engine did not have enough power. T6 were not available anymore, so I got V8 2005 year model. We are very happy w/ the vehicle so far (~1300 miles in 2 weeks). As others said, it drives and feels more like a sedan, not your typical SUV-there is very minimal body roll, great acceleration and braking, no nose-dive forward as you brake,suspension very comfortable and you dont feel any bumps/potholes, except major ones

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  Great Car - 1998 Volvo S70
  By LinkinGlory - May 26 - 10:00 am

  This car saved my life last week. Totalled it and I was told I was very lucky to be alive. I wouldnt be here today if I wasnt driving such a safe car. The car had 92000 miles and had never given us a problem. Amazing car.

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  This SUV ROCKS!! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Volvolover - May 26 - 10:00 am

  this has been a great vehicle. great for hauling kids, and has tons of room for cargo, with seats up or down. really like the looks, and that it is the only one in my town! amazing safety features.

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  Great SUV - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Happy Owner2 - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Delivered at factory and drove comfortably all over Europe ~ 5,000 miles. Acceleration and high speed driving quiet, responsive and more than adequate. Tame at US highway speeds but still responsive and not at all tiring over long distance. No "truck" feeling, i.e., smooth handling, car-like ride, and no vibration. Fuel economy ~20 mpg on highway, even with heavy load, ~15 mpg in town, light load, carefully monitored. Navigation system flawless and comprehensive. Cargo space superior with two seat rows, outstanding with only front seat row up. All in all, everything I expected and more from a quality European car manufacturer.