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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  Heed this warning! ( wish I would of) - 1999 Volvo S80
  By HEBES - June 29 - 1:26 am

  Purchased car used. Expected much more from this car. I was afraid to drive it shortly after I got it fearing what would break next. I swear anything I touched in that car would break or cause something else to break. Something as simple as trying to put a cd in the stereo ended up costing me a new stereo and caused some kind of urgent airbag warning. Every time I get in its a mystery what will happen or not happen. I gave up putting money into it and will drive the car until it refuses to move. There is nothing consistent about this car except for some item or feature failing to work.

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  Great car, even with a few flaws! - 2006 Volvo S40
  By Matt - June 29 - 12:53 am

  I absolutely love this car! I fell in love with it as soon as I took it out for the test drive. Sharp looking and gets lots of attention. I really only have 2 issues with the car. First, city mileage isnt what I expected it to be. I do almost all of my driving in-city and find myself at the gas pump more than I expected. Second, the rear brakes have started to squeal when backing up, and the problem seems to be a mystery. Ive had the car in twice (with a 3rd looming). Ive done some checking online and found my problem, while not widespread, is not unique to my car either (no solution IDd). Its a frustrating issue that I shouldnt be dealing with on a car 4200 miles in.

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  The stealth car... Rather the car no one knows about. - 2006 Volvo S60
  By IntParty - June 28 - 7:10 am

  was stunned when I test drove it and several moments told Gary the Carmax sales man." I like this I like it a lot, I think Im going to take this home with me tonight." So I took it home. I have no problems with this vehicle other then the leg room in the back for passengers. But since I rarely ever drive anyone else its no big problem.

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  Jury is still out - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By Jury is still out - June 28 - 7:06 am

  The wife and I have been driving the XC90 V8 for a little over a year now. The drive is exceptional and the power is second to none. This vehicle drives like a fine tuned sports car and grips the road like velcro. The vehicle is a real head turner going down the road and at traffic lights. Dynaudio is the best. Navigation is OK, but could be a little better with response times. I have missed a turn or two when driving. I am a bit surprised that some of the interior plastic decor parts (pieces that cover some of the metal have fallen off and the middle console is loosey goosey when you go to store something away. We are leasing and will be turning the vehicle in at the end of 2009

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  Nice mix of sport and luxury - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Ken K. - June 27 - 5:23 am

  I bought the 2.5T and splurged for the sport, luxury and comfort packages to get the 17" wheels and leather as well as other feature. The car looks great (metallic black and tan leather with wood appointments) accelerates quite well and is extremely comfortable for longer commutes. I was looking at the Infiniti G35, but I was able to negotiate a much better deal at Volvo and was surprised that the Volvo was only marginally slower with better looks and comfort. I was surprised to learn that you can use regular unleaded in the S60. The only sour point is the turning circle is on the poor side, especially noticeable when parking. Overall I love this car.

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  Superb with few exceptions - 2004 Volvo S60
  By New Englander - June 23 - 2:00 am

  This car is extraordinarily comfortable (in the front seat) and very handsomely styled. The back seat legroom is tight, but not uncomfortable. Open road performance is quite good in acceleration and braking. Holds curves well at higher speeds. Advanced suspension setting is unusable for roads in my area - other settings are good. The premium sound system is very average. Why anyone would want Dolby Prologic for their non-Prologic encoded music is beyond me. H.K. should have offered a better surround mode.

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  First and last Volvo - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Got a lemon - June 23 - 2:00 am

  first child was on the way went for the safety factor-solid feel on the road- this replaced a BMW 325-drove 12 years with 240,000 miles-Volvo has had more major issues in first 32K miles than the BMW ever did-first winter car would not start below 30 degrees (it gets cold in Sweden,right?)-new ignition system, transmission slipping-like driving a manual and pushed in the clutch while stepping on the gas-new transmission-door open warning light kept coming on-latch sensor bad-Low Coolant warning-bad radiator-this car will be with us until the warranty expires.

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  volvo xc90 - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By ada6 - June 23 - 2:00 am

  Solid, safe,useful, gas-hungry. Needs better rear view.

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  I love this car! You dont need the T6 - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By jsal - June 23 - 2:00 am

  The safety features are endless. I have small children and thats the most important. With this car I get that, along with pep, performance, fuel economy, style and everything else youd want in an SUV. You dont need the bigger engine to have the "get up and go". You can have it and better gas milage with the 2.5T.

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  Awesome Car! - 2002 Volvo S80
  By VolvoDriver - June 22 - 5:33 am

  This car has a better ride, maintenance, than my other luxury cars. I own same year Lexus GS430 and a 2000 Mercedes S600 and this Volvo tops them both.