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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  Fun convertible - 2009 Volvo C70
  By Fin - December 25 - 7:56 am

  Smooth as silk when shifting this manual 6 speed. Excellent interior headroom, not a claustrophobic feeling like some front windshields give you in convertibles. The hardtop splits into three pieces which still allows for excellent storage in the boot.

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  My XC90 V-8 - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By guy - December 24 - 4:56 pm

  v8 has great performance. super acceleration. 21 mpg hwy. small fuel tank limits driving range. Minor but irritating electronic glitches that dealer cant duplicate or repair. Why no compass? Brake and accelerator pedals too close together.

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  Volvo S60 2.5t - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Lysa - December 24 - 2:56 pm

  I just bought my volvo. I LOVE IT!!! The only problem I have is control. It gets a bit squirrely when you put the pedal to the metal.

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  Awesome Car - 2004 Volvo S60
  By AvRick - December 23 - 10:00 am

  Just took delivery two days ago and I absolutely love this sedan. The fit and finish is next to perfect and it handles great. Its the quietest car Ive ever driven and although it only has the 2.4, it is quick and nimble enough for this 50 year-old.

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  My new R - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Ramib1 - December 23 - 10:00 am

  This is by far the best car Ive ever driven - or own. I almost bought a G35, until I took the R for a test drive. I bought it on the spot. Its not only the amazing performance, but the complete package, including comfort, design, quality, and of course, safety. For a price of a BMW 330 you get a bigger, faster, better looking car, with performance only a tad below an M.

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  Volvo for Strife - 2003 Volvo S80
  By netxpert - December 23 - 10:00 am

  I recently purchased a brand new 2003 Volvo S80 T6. The first time that I opened the hood I discovered that the car has significant rust and corrosion problems. The problems were brought to the dealers attention immediately after purchase, however after several months, the factory has done little to address the situation. Neither the dealer or the factory seem to care about customer satisfaction. There customer service rates an F.

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  Comfortable, Safe Cruiser - 2011 Volvo S80
  By MrSmith - December 21 - 10:00 am

  The S80 is best cruising on the highway. It is not a nimble car. The exterior design is traditional Volvo. T6 performance is more than adequate. Fuel Economy is fine. The interior design and quality is better than US/Japan, but not quite up to Mercedes/Audi standards. This car is 90% Mercedes at 80% of the price. The technology and safety offerings are stunning and they work very well. I recommend this car to anyone looking for understated luxury and high quality.

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  Why is this car so uncommon? - 2007 Volvo V50
  By Barbarella - December 21 - 8:56 am

  Simply put, I love this car. I live in the mountains of colorado, and this car is tons of fun to drive on twisty mountain roads. I am of the belief that you do not need a SUV just to live in the mountains (unlike everyone that lives around me). The AWD is all you need to survive up here. The interior design is simple and intuitive, the performance is great, the mileage is decent (considering the way I like to zoom around), the cargo space is great, and it looks awesome. I seriously dont understand why this car isnt more popular, but then again, I dont understand why everyone around me drives these monstrous SUVs. Arent they driving on the same roads I am?

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  Volvo S60R, 2006 - 2006 Volvo S60
  By Sheldon Rabin - December 21 - 6:50 am

  This S60R has had chronic suspension and alignment problems such that all 4 tires were cupped after 6000 miles. Of the 4 tires, the right-rear tire has the worst cupping. Attempts by the dealer to fix problem were not initially pursued and are now reluctantly pursued. Ongoing

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  Reliable - 2004 Volvo S80
  By Charles - December 21 - 1:16 am

  After three years of completely trouble free experience Im pleasantly surprised by this car. More reliable than my previous Mercedes, it does everything well.