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:

• 

  My scud missile - 2004 Volvo S60
  By arod - July 31 - 10:00 am

  I love it! Now I know why they say Volvo for life.

• 

  The best car that I could find for ~$30k - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Straightnochaser - July 31 - 10:00 am

  One of the smartest buys in my life. I bought it for my mother that I respect and love so much. I searched & researched hard for the best car available in terms of style, performance, safety, luxury and build reputation. Volvo IS it, my friend, and there is no doubt about it. Look forward many years to see what Volvo is really made of.

• 

  Love Ruby - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By SRado3 - July 31 - 10:00 am

  Great Car!!! Would buy it again!

• 

  Wouldnt buy first year model ever again - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By NY to LA Gal - July 31 - 10:00 am

  Too many kinks -- seatbelts not working and were recalled, turbo too noisy. The car hesitates/drags between first and second, which is especially dangerous when making a left turn from a light. Also, when closing hatch it smacked down on my head.

• 

  My Favorite Volvo Yet - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By leslie logan - July 31 - 12:56 am

  This is my 6th Volvo in 35 years. I do look at other cars but I always end up purchasing another Volvo. This one is the best ever. It is every bit as comfortable as my last car, a 2001 S80. The turning radius is better than the S80 which makes it easy to park even in tight spaces. I did not get the third row of seats and Im so glad. The "trunk" space is large and so well designed. I use the pop-up area for transporting anything that could tip over. It is my favorite feature. I also love the solid feel of this heavy car. The safety features are outstanding and thats really why I ultimately decided on this car but it has it all. I also think it is the best looking SUV on the road!

• 

  YAH HOOOOO! - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By micheemoo - July 31 - 12:53 am

  This is one hell of ride! Dont let the old Volvo brand name fool you, this car will smoke quite a few vehicles on the road! It is solid, comfortable, stylish, safe and FAST! I really quite love this car, but then again, I have a thing for swedish cars! I was looking to replace my third saab, I test drove all the cars in XC 60s class, the lexus, the audi, the benz, the beamer, I even contemplated the 3.2 litre XC 60, but then I drove the 3.0 litre T6.....Woah! SOLD! I never turned back after that test drive! This car is luxurious, beautiful leather seats, best in class, feels solid, tight drive, just stellar car to move your caboose! I LOVE the power and the feeling is swanky but elegant!

• 

  OK - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By TuNeRkId - July 29 - 7:43 pm

  We purchased our 07 XC in 2007 brand new. The truck has been OK , but not what I expected from a $45,000 car. It has good seat comfort and driving position but it also feels a lot bigger than it actually is. The car has decent acceleration, but nothing to write home about. The best thing about the car is the brakes witch stop you on a dime! The 3.2 our car has is a little bit thirsty and doesnt give as much power as I would like. Our average mpg (mostly city driving) is around 16.5 (on road trips weve gotten up to 22). The 3rd row seat is tight but easily moved out of the way! The transmission is great especially the manual option! Overall it has been a good car but could be better.

• 

  A Great Car Except for One Thing - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By John George - July 29 - 6:36 pm

  I spent several months researching what car to buy for my wife. She wanted an SUV. I wanted safety. We purchased a 2005 XC90 T6 with 39000 mi. The car was like new, had had all the factory recommended service & checked out perfect! Since the car had 1 1/2 yrs of warranty I was not concerned about reliability. Boy was I wrong! After only 400 mi. the car has spent the last 3 weeks in the shop waiting for a back-ordered trans. The climate control is bad & surround sound cuts in & out on turns. We love the car but are afraid this is an omen of things to come. Also, the "back-ordered" trans tells us ours isnt the only Volvo with this problem. Cant someone make a safe & reliable car?

• 

  c 70 weak frame and roof - 2009 Volvo C70
  By frank - July 29 - 7:40 am

  Good experience driving top down but not when the top is up. It generates too much rattles from plastic panel door and roof

• 

  Mountain Performance Vehicle - 2011 Volvo XC70
  By J jennings - July 28 - 3:01 pm

  High Performance Turbo enhances MPG and Smiles Per Mile. Volvos 2011 T6 engine makes it fun, fast and efficient.