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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  Silky & Smooth beauty - 2003 Volvo S80
  By yelled - March 30 - 10:00 am

  I think the person who complained about the "born with" nose, not enough power to accelerate into traffic, and heavy steering wheel must got a real lemon or not talking about the same car. Steering is actually on the lighter side for Eurpean cars. Its quiet and smooth even over NYC pot-holes. Avoiding them is just as fun. No problems what so ever so far and I am keeping my fingers crossed. I like this car over often troublesome and stiff BMWs. Especially when my neighbors BMW gets stuck during snow. I love floating by with my cushy seats with fwd.

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  Silky & Smooth beauty - 2003 Volvo S80
  By yelled - March 30 - 10:00 am

  I think the person who complained about the "born with" nose, not enough power to accelerate into traffic, and heavy steering wheel must got a real lemon or not talking about the same car. Steering is actually on the lighter side for Eurpean cars. Its quiet and smooth even over NYC pot-holes. Avoiding them is just as fun. No problems what so ever so far and I am keeping my fingers crossed. I like this car over often troublesome and stiff BMWs. Especially when my neighbors BMW gets stuck during snow. I love floating by with my cushy seats with fwd.

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  2002 s40 review - 2002 Volvo S40
  By Markkor - March 30 - 10:00 am

  This a fun car to drive with adequate power and very good gas mileage. Nothing beats Volvo seats for comfort and protection. The radio and air cond. work fine. I like the trip computer and the sunroof. The ride is smooth but a little noisy from the air at the windows. Transmision is generally smooth except when slowing down to a stop. I use regular gas.

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  Oh, not bad - 2003 Volvo S40
  By JOHN LEE - March 30 - 10:00 am

  We test drove VW Passat, and Jetta. Both vehicles had a higher price tag. The S40 is by far a better car. Good power and the handleing is excellent for a Front Wheel drive car.

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  Oh, not bad - 2003 Volvo S40
  By John Lee - March 30 - 10:00 am

  We test drove VW Passat, and Jetta. Both vehicles had a higher price tag. The S40 is by far a better car. Good power and the handleing is excellent for a Front Wheel drive car.

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  2000 Volvo S80 T6 - 2000 Volvo S80
  By sujaha - March 30 - 10:00 am

  What a sweet, sweet car. Its responsive and a joy to drive. More than enough power. Supreme comfort. No major problems at all.

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  Built like a TANK - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By red1958 - March 30 - 10:00 am

  Anyone that doubts the safety of this vehicle, read on. Within 3 days my wife and I have been rear-ended. The first one was my wife, she was hit in the back by a Camry at about 15-20 MPH. Last night I was hit in the rear by a Mustang on the freeway, it must have been going about 45-50 MPH. The damage to the XC90 in both accidents was minimal, marks on the bumper, while both of the other cars had major hood and fender damage. If anyone has any thoughts about their kids being safe in the 3 row of this vehicle, Im here to tell you DON"T because the hype about the safety of the XC90 is true and Im living proof.

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  Well-engineered, and most attractive car - 2003 Volvo S60
  By srassam1 - March 30 - 10:00 am

  I have driven my S60 2.4 w/5-spd auto for about 26k miles. This car is the most attractive in its class, and the price is not inflated compared with European rivals. Overall I am very impressed with the car, except for very minor problems (Lock buttons), which arent mechanical. The car has excellent braking, and superb winter traction w/ STC and Winter mode). What I truly miss on the car is Stability control DSTC.

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  my best car - 2003 Volvo S60
  By abdulaziz - March 30 - 10:00 am

  this is my 3rd car after camaro and polo well this car my best choice and right choice to family car ever .. very safe and very strong ..

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  S60R Fun - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Kate - March 29 - 5:56 pm

  This car is incredible to drive, the speed and handling make it an absolute joy, whether you are going to get groceries or just going out for a little fun!