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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  What a car!!!! - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Nicolena - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Love it, Love it, Love It!

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  S70 T5 - 1999 Volvo S70
  By parksie - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Great family car, extremely comfortably and safe! Fun to drive!

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  Great SUV - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By RBURD - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Quiet, performance, spacious, great to drive, power, excellent options, all wrapped in a volvo saftey net! I would tell anyone wanting an SUV that drives like a car, handles exceptionally and is quiet to buy this one. We have owned 3 other SUVs and this is the best yet. Go for the T6! It is a big difference.

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  2003 Volvo Cross Country - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By mlalvar - November 28 - 2:06 am

  We bought this vehicle mostly because of Volvos safety ratings. Little did we know it would also be so much fun to drive and such a smooth ride. We are expecting our first child in a few weeks and wouldnt dream of having her ride in anything other than a Volvo. The gas mileage has been superb and the customer service from Volvo is top notch.

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  The 2006 T5 is Awesome! - 2006 Volvo S40
  By db4639 - November 26 - 11:20 pm

  Overall, the 2005 Volvo T5 is awesome! Some people thought I was crazy to go from a 2004 3-Series BMW to a Volvo, but the superb handling & luxurious feel of this car far surpasses the BMW. The car is safe, reliable, powerful and very fun to drive. The fuel economy is also a plus, as was the purchase price! If you enjoy luxury at a reasonable price, the new Volvo is a must have!

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  my 7th volvo,, - 2005 Volvo S60
  By c w e - November 23 - 6:26 pm

  This is my 7th Volvo from the same dealer.. with the fantastic combination car, service and sales there does not seem to be much competition for this car. I drive 20,000 miles a year and remain happy with the comfort, safety, design,space, gas mileage and reliability of this auto. The only amazing thing is that everyone does not own one of these cars. I cannot say enough great things for Volvo.

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  I love it! - 2004 Volvo S40
  By KEM - November 22 - 2:00 am

  It has been really great, very reliable, comfortable, and handles great. It feels very solid and safe while driving.

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  Stellar - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By Sussexgal - November 22 - 2:00 am

  My 2004 replaces a 203 that was totaled in an accident...the car was broadsided on the drivers side by a truck. The car SAVED my life. The safety features in this Volvo cannot be topped. Had I been driving a smaller, lighter weight car without side impact airbags I would not be here writing this to you today.

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  love my xc90 - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By novastylist - November 22 - 2:00 am

  i love the way it looks, drives,and feels !!!!!

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  133,000 and 6 years and running very well - 2005 Volvo V50
  By jsrobinow - November 21 - 3:51 am

  I bought this car used via E bay from a private seller. It has had only three odd failures that were easily fixed. One rear hub sheared off three bolts and was replaced. Cause was never determined. Fuel pump module and oil trap failed and were replaced. Other service has been routine. It handles well, accelerates well and gets 25 to 28 mpg day in and day out. With snow tires used in the winter with four wheel drive and six speed manual trans it is an amazing winter car. I go places that the SUV crowd cant go because they use "all-season" tires which in fact are really "no-season" tires. Great car overall, fun stylish and versatile.