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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  Have a Bad Back, Finally Comfortable - 2008 Volvo S80
  By Randy - December 5 - 6:43 pm

  The Volvo S80 might be the most comfortable and supportive car on the market. My wife has had a bad back all of her life and many surgeries. This car has seats designed by chiropractors and orthopedic specialists and it beats all of the luxury cars out their for comfort, 3-level heated seats front and rear with power adjustments that make it perfect for any sized person. Combine that with whiplash protective seats, the best safety features available and you have a comfortable car that if in a collision will also protect you. I do a lot of research when buying a car and this is the car for the issues I have identified. Combine the price, build quality, engineering, comfort wow!

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  Lemon - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By Bruce Shaw - December 4 - 10:00 am

  Volvo has agreed to take back my car under the lemon law. car will not start under 47 degrees temperature. Computer shuts down auto with every possible excuse as to what is wrong appearing on the consol. dealership and consulting engineers have been unable to locate problem. They are replacing the vehicle with a 2004 xc70.

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  Great Car - 2004 Volvo S40
  By Bristol - December 4 - 10:00 am

  I have owned Volvos for years and this is a great car with wonderful comfort for the front seat driver and passenger - plenty of legroom and quiet well appointed interior. Wonderful pickup and braking. Everything seems to work as advertised. A very practical and fun to drive car.

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  Excellent all-round wagon - 2005 Volvo V70
  By dsensing - December 4 - 2:56 am

  We bought our 05 V70 from a friend who had put 93K business miles on it. All services done at Volvo dealer & all records present, two repairs & neither mechanical/automotive. Its Consumer Reports reliability ratings are actually higher than our sons Infiniti! Standard engine has all the power we need for a wagon. V70 was based on the S80 platform, so much more back seat room than my 05 S60. Great hauling room in back; if you dont want a SUV but need that, this car is for you. Front seats are best in the world, bar none. Auto-wipers are great! 3-position memory seat is great since my wife & daughter & I drive it. Maintenance not expensive if you have a good non-Volvo shop (we do).

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  Sleek, sexy, and sporty S40 - 2007 Volvo S40
  By Rich - December 3 - 2:20 pm

  This car is fantastic! Mine has a silky smooth 6 speed manual transmission that is quick out of the gate. I have experienced next to no turbo lagged from the peppy 2.5 litre. Quick accelaration and the feeling of a more expensive German sedan make this Volvo a great choice. The interior is sleek. Simple and elegant is Volvos game. And Volvo wins with this S40. The owners manual recommends 91 octane fuel, but 87 delivers nearly identical performance and fuel economy. Besides the car, my dealership experience was fantastic. Thank you Gengras Volvo - East Hartford, CT!

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  Awesome Car - 2008 Volvo C30
  By S.M. - December 2 - 7:00 am

  Got the car last week. I love it, it is so much fun to drive. I also love that you dont see many on the street so you find people looking at your car wondering what it is. It has the perfect balance of a sports car and yet keeps the sophisticated feel of a Volvo. Much better buy than other cars in its class such as the volvo GTI, Civic SI, Mazda Speed 3, or Mini Cooper S. Test drove the rest and thought this one was the best choice.

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  Solid sports sedan - 2013 Volvo S60
  By tomhager - December 1 - 8:45 am

  Traded in my Acura TSX after the second timing chain went out, test drove a T5 AWD and was hooked -- great combo of comfort and fun. Drove it through a late-night thunderstorm in the Oregon mountains and felt perfectly safe -- the thing corners like its on rails. Love the power and quiet.

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  THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED - TIRES ARE BAD - 2015 Volvo S60
  By LAURENVOLVO - December 1 - 6:39 am

  I have received 3 flat tires in 6 months. 2 of the flat tires were blow outs on the expressway and I almost caused 2 huge accidents while my 7 year old daughter was in the car. This car needs to be recalled. There is NO SPARE TIRE and when i got all 3 of my flats the lighter socket did not work for me to fix the tire. Continental tires are horrible and not safe. DO NOT BUY THIS CAR WITH THE CONTINENTAL TIRES.

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  i must have gotten the good one - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By doug - December 1 - 1:03 am

  we have put all but 23 miles on this vehicle and are not unhappy. 5 cylinder is a bit noisy on hard acceleration but we change the oil when due, put gas in the tank and drive. still has original battery, did do the 105000 maintenance. at 70000 put front break pads on. just put the 3rd set of tires on last august this vehicle can carry a lot of stuff. the back seats are rather flat so no comfortable for long trips however like ivory soap, only two of us ride in the think 99.44%of the time. we can get 2 bicycles in but it is a hassle so they go on top. only if i go by myself do a bike go inside. expect to drive at least another 100000 miles before retiring

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  Viva Volvo - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By ViVa_Volvo - November 30 - 5:56 am

  I have had the XC90 for 6 months now and it is very comfortable and easy to drive. Gas is not as bad as I thought...love it