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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  Precertified 2001 xc70 - 2005 Volvo XC70
  By nipper - July 12 - 10:00 am

  Love the spaciousness and interior quality. Super sound system!! drives well and feels very safe and hugs the road.

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  Fun Car!! - 2002 Volvo S60
  By NotASoccerMomCar! - July 12 - 10:00 am

  I bought a Volvo S60 2.4T in Aug. 2002 with premium package, sport package, and touring package. This is a fun car to drive. I never thought I would buy a Volvo, but I really love this car. It has nice pick- up. The interior is very stylish. My only complaints are: with a 3 year old the back seat is small, the tires wear down quick (15,000) and are expensive, and I had a problem with an RPM sensor but Volvo fixed it in 2 days and provided a rental car. Overall, I would recommend this car to anyone who wants a fun sports car!

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  This baby begs to be driven! - 2005 Volvo S40
  By SteveSS - July 12 - 10:00 am

  I love driving this vehicle more and more each day. I travel a lot of back country roads and this beauty performs! Only complaint so far, highway driving seems a bit harsh. Oddly enough I would think it would be smooth on the highway, it seems to ride better on hilly country roads. The S40 responds to your every need, its comfortable, responsive and turns heads. I test drove a 2005 Subaru Outback turbo, the 250hp did not come close to the performance of the 218hp Volvo. I originally wanted the AWD drive version but for some reason is hard to get. I opted for the automatic geartronic transmission, which is a blast to drive.

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  Minivan with Ground Clearance - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By J G Stewart - July 9 - 10:03 pm

  My wife has extreme Volvo loyalty and she bought this XC90 3.2 FWD straight base model in spite of my reluctance. I pondered a Kia Sedona, but couldnt bring myself to close the deal on that because I was doubtful the mpg would meet my minimum requirement. With my inaction going on indefinitely she bought this XC90, and I took her 2004 V70 base model with which I get 30 to 35 mpg on the highway at 70 to 80 mph under best driving conditions. The XC90 fuel use has been acceptable on the highway (22 mpg to over 26 mpg), but lower than I would like at 15 mpg in short trip usage in town. Total fuel economy over the first 12,000 miles has been 19 mpg.

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  Best Car We Ever Bought! - 2002 Volvo V70
  By WestHillsMom - July 9 - 2:00 am

  Since our family has expanded to 2 children we were looking for a safe family vehicle and opted for a Volvo Wagon instead of the typical SUV. Our V70 feels solid/safe, looks classy, and drives great!

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  Beautious! - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Abelaine - July 9 - 2:00 am

  What other vehicle out there cleans the air when it drives ? I quote from my XC90 brochure The radiator of the XC90 has a special coating, PremAir, which converts up to 75% of the ozone it encounters into oxygen. Volvo had waited in the wings for a decade and observed all the SUV dos and donts and then BAM! they came out with the XC90.

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  Sexy just like me! - 2001 Volvo C70
  By Sweet Sexy Ride - July 8 - 1:26 pm

  I Absolutely love this car! My honey purchased for me. He loves me! I always loved Volvo for safety but when I saw her I fell in love. This car has saved my life and is so dependable! It has the best "get out of the way" I have ever seen! Tractor coming down the road something extended on my side of the road, I couldnt see it until the last second. Cut the wheel at 70 and back. Never Lost Control! Im still here kids too! Yes a bit rough at times. So what! This is the Only issue I will gladly live with! The top is almost always down. And I can park without worrying about theft. Misplaced the keys once. Could not open the car even by reaching in and hitting the locks. It totally shut down. WOW!

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  Second Volvo and Even Happier - 2015 Volvo XC60
  By Lisa - July 8 - 2:33 am

  This is my second Volvo and I traded in my Volvo S60 to buy the XC60. I was looking for more space without sacrificing good looks and performance. I love the XC60. Volvo makes a great quality product for a good price. And since the car takes 87 octane and 5 years free maintenance, the cost of ownership is really good. Also the service department at the dealership that I purchased both my Volvos from is phenomenal. The service staff is very professional and always helpful. I would encourage anyone in the market for a car to take a look at the Volvo.

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  Worth every penny - 2010 Volvo XC90
  By jenniferdr - July 6 - 6:56 am

  After MANY years of wanting this car, we finally took the plunge and I LOVE IT!! I feel so safe in it. I traded in a Yukon and feel that I have gained more storage space since the third row folds flat. LOVE the body style, DON"T EVER CHANGE IT. That was the first thing that made me fall in love with it. LOve the 5 year free maintenance!! Do wish though that for the money, navigation or even blue tooth were standard.

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  No Problem(s) - 2008 Volvo XC70
  By melalbert - July 5 - 12:45 pm

  Purchased 3-year old 2008 XC-70 with only 39K on odometer and just absolutely love the vehicle. I have been able to transport my wife and I and two teens in absolute comfort all over the East Coast, racking up over 10K miles in six months. Everyone sleeps in comfort in their leather seats as I tool along smoothly over those miles. If this isnt my dream car yet, then dont wake me when it shows up.