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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  Unique Sport Hatch! - 2010 Volvo C30
  By realcsi - August 11 - 3:15 am

  I bought my 2010 C30 R Design (automatic) at the very end of the sales year. Its the "classic style" before they changed the look of the front end. Im very satisfied with the performance and reliability. I have over 52,000 on mine without any problems to speak of. This is a great, fun to drive car thats a head-turner. I would suggest that you stay away from the light colored leather seats that wear poorly.

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  Worth the wait - 2006 Volvo C70
  By whichhardtop - August 8 - 1:56 pm

  I fell into my 2006 C70 when a higher up in the Volvo company turned in his red C70 after putting 700 miles playing around with it for a few months. The question is, after driving this car, why would anyone give it up? The biggest knock on this car is that it is not fun to drive. Try the standard 6-speed manual and watch it put the 218 horseys to work (and save $1250). Also forget about spending $1400 on leather seating and go with the amazingly sleek (and not very hot) synthetic flextech upholstery. I had no regrets about dropping $1550 on the 12-speaker dynaudio system, which sounds phenomenal. My other big splurge was the 18" tires, which firmly place this as a bonafide sportscar.

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  Our first Volvo - 1997 Volvo 960
  By Norma Puntney - August 8 - 2:00 am

  A fun car to drive, very responsive, holds the road well, feels safe. I like the styling, stands out from the crowd.

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  THE BEST VALUE ON THE MARKET - 2002 Volvo V70
  By daryp - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I NEVER TOUGHT THAT VOLVO WOULD BE SUCH A FUN TO DRIVE. LAST YEAR I BOUGHT A MANUAL T5 AND I LIKED IT SO MUCH THAT THIS YEAR I BOUGHT ANOTHER ONE. THIS TIME AROUND FULLY LOADED. THERE IS ONE THING I REALLY MISS ABOUT THE PREVIUOS ONE; THE STICK SHIFT. IT REALLY ENHANCES THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CAR. ALTHOUGH, NOW I HAVE GEARTRONIC, ITS NOT THE SAME AS MANUAL. BOTTOM LINE: YOU CAN TAKE THIS CAR ANYWHERE WHITHOUT HAVING TO WARY ABOUT MAKING POSITIVE IMPRESSIONS.

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  Impressed - 2001 Volvo V70
  By rboilard - August 8 - 2:00 am

  When I was shopping for a new vehicle I looked at the RX300, X5,MDX, ML320 and even the Yukon by GMC. But for some reason I liked the look and comfort of the XC, so thats what I purchase. Let me tell everyone out there after reading some horror stories on the net as well as good ones I was a bit nervous. But the car is solid and probably the most comfortable to sit in. No problems at all!

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  Marvelous design - 2011 Volvo S60
  By Lennart - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Went to Goteborg, Sweden to pick up my new 2011 Volvo S60 in October and people would come up to the car and admire the style. I picked white exterior with 2 tone leather brown/black. The car feels secure and the rain in Sweden did not stop us from driving 900 miles in a couple of days. Need to work on all the knobs but all in all this car will be a success.

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  153,000 miles and still tight as a drum - 2001 Volvo S60
  By slcraft - August 7 - 1:33 pm

  I bought this car and have owned it for a year. It was bought used as a two owner of lease. For the year, miles, safety features and modern amenities/luxury items if offered it was the most car for the money I could afford that was also the safest. Mine is still super tight and rattle free. I was able to get the TPS (throttle position sensor) which is about a 1000-1500 repair done free at my dealership because it was a recalled (ww.vexedvolvo.com) and DO NOT buy a car that hasnt had it replaced, they all fail. They warranty is 10 years and 200,000 miles for replacement. Other than that it has been trouble free. Make sure tranny fluid has been changed and timing belt done too!

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  My BEST girl yet! - 2004 Volvo V70
  By Rebekkah L-Moodje - August 6 - 9:08 pm

  Being a Volvo lover ( 91 240/ 91 940 SE/ 98 V70/ 04 V70 T5 - soon to be par tof the family - 06 S80 AWD T5 ) . I ABSOLUTELY LOVE my 04 V70 - shes like an under- the - radar speed machine! and feeling completely safe and in control. I cant say nothing ill of these girls.

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  I want my S60 T6 back... - 2013 Volvo XC60
  By abmwfan - August 6 - 4:46 pm

  I traded my 2012 S60 T6 (with Polestar Mod) for a 2013 XC60 R-Design after seeing a beautiful Cosmic White XC-60 on the showroom floor. The S60 and XC60 share many components, especially the interior, and I thought I would get about the the same comfort and fun to drive in a more versatile vehicle. I was wrong. If, like me, you are smitten by Volvos beautiful R-Designs, make sure you spend time in those "special R-Design sport seats" to make sure you can get comfortable. Volvo just doesnt do sport seats right. For a company thats known for its superb seat comfort, that is a big disappointment. My S60 fit like a glove and was superbly comfortable. I want it back.

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  My Second T5 - 2006 Volvo S60
  By Bob - August 6 - 5:56 am

  I love my first T5 but the second one is so much more. Now comes standard with sport supension, added the 4-C chaisis control with a 6 speed standard. This car has it all over the BMW 330 and costs less. In fact this T5 had more and was less than my 2003 model!