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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  Perfect Car; Perfect Buy - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By aaa20 - March 31 - 6:07 am

  This car is amazing. I love it. Better value than Q5, FX 35, and RX 350 (though those are good choices). I recommend the Volvo overseas delivery program because I got a great vehicle, met the people who made it, and got a great vacation to Sweden. My next purchase will likely be another Volvo.

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  My first Volvo - 2002 Volvo V70
  By W. Horne - March 31 - 3:26 am

  Quality good looking car and for the money very view can compete. Year and a half old and only a couple minor problems. Passenger side shoulder harness did not work and stillhas problems. It is by far the most comfortable car I have ever driven. 500 miles a day in this is OK even with my back. I would definitely buy another.

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  The most beautiful SW on the Road - 2005 Volvo V50
  By Ozgur - March 29 - 8:00 pm

  I believe Volvo is the best value car on the market. If you compare features and prices with the other car companies (Like BMW and Mercedes Benz), Volvo V50 has more features, less price. AWD system is much better than BMWs and Mercedess AWD system. Heldex differential works very well. Interior design is awesome. Sleek center console is one-of-a-kind. Turbo engine runs smooth and you can feel the power any gear ranges.If you are looking for handsome, reliable and fun to drive family wagon, Volvo is gonna be the best choice.

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  PURE, UNADULTERATED PERFOMANCE - 2004 Volvo S60
  By VRONA ! - March 29 - 10:00 am

  WOW ! i drove this car in New York in April, one month before it was released in the USA. It was for the volvo perfomance driving school. Handling, speed, power, comfort, everything, just perfect ! if anyone wants to know anehtin bout it, im here ! just ask !

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  Great Car - 1999 Volvo S70
  By Danny24 - March 29 - 10:00 am

  This is very safe and dependable car. Drives really well, will not trade it for nothing.

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  Great car for the price - 2008 Volvo C30
  By Scott - March 28 - 8:10 pm

  I bought this car mainly because no other car looks like it and it has the power when you need it. I test drove several other cars but this one just got me from the first drive. I am 38 years old with a wife and 2 kids. I did not want the boring family car or the SUV. The wife has the SUV so we take her truck when we go out or travel. I travel about 70-100 miles per day so I need a car with good gas mileage. I am getting over 25 miles on mixed driving which is good for a turbo car. Volvo wanted a car where the consumer can customize the car with the options you want.

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  Moving On Up - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Jay, New York - March 28 - 8:10 pm

  I only drove Hondas for the past 15 years and felt it was time for a change. Frankly, the Hondas are good, but everybody has one. The new Volvo S40s design caught my eye right away. Once I test drove it, I was sold. Im not a car freak and drive to/from work (about 45 miles a day) and run some errands on the weekends. I wanted a car that was fun and put some spark back into my daily commute. Boy, has this car filled the bill. My friends compliment me on its great looks, and thats a real switch. Look, Im 43 and honestly a car is not going to change my life, but you know what, who says you cant have a little fun even when work and little league are your usual destinations.

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  Not a soccer mom - 2005 Volvo V70
  By Buffalo Bob - March 28 - 1:26 pm

  After starting out looking at Volvo V70 Cross Country models and deciding theyre dogs - real soccer mom cars - I went through a number of SUVs up to and including a 4Dr Ford F150 P/U. Then gas hit $2.50 and someone reccomended I check out a V70R. I didnt even know they existed. Once I checked them on line goodbye to V6s & V8s... Fortunately my dealer had a used S60R to test drive so I got a taste - and began the process of getting a V70R. Build quality seems terrific. Performace with the 6 speed is excellent. Gas mileage is 23+ at the speeds the car performs best. And talk about stealth. I even passed a state trooper and he never noticed. After all its a Volvo wagon right? Cool!

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  Love it! - 2004 Volvo S60
  By R you ready? - March 24 - 4:36 pm

  I love this car despite the quirks mentioned in other reviews. Its great on the highway, not so great in parking lots, but overall very suitable as a daily driver if you want fun. I love the overall driving experience including the steering wheel, pedals, and seat. In the black sapphire color, with a fresh coat of wax it looks brand new and sexy even after 6 years. The leather looks almost new. I like the rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, 3-position seat/mirror memory, push-button adjustable suspension ("4c"), and wheel- mounted audio controls. The front bumper is too low and the turning radius is awful. My wife thinks the ride is harsh and the seats are too low.

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  My 2001V70 T5M - 2004 Volvo V70
  By Phil Gilmore - March 23 - 2:00 am

  I was brousing this site and read the Edwards road test review of a loaded T5 and thought they were talking about a differant car. Ours is now 2 1/2 years old and as tight as new, with ZERO rattles, ZERO poor fits and no dust intrusion whatsoever over our many dirt driveways. The brakes are firm and linear, the power strong and the mileage good. I dont know what you drove, but it sounds like a wreck. And as for the howling tires, did you check the pressure?