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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  Love my new Volvo - 2016 Volvo XC60
  By Teresa Morse - December 27 - 10:59 pm

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  Back to Honda for Me - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Tina - December 27 - 9:13 am

  After years of owning Hondas we decided to try something new and purchased the XC90. I have been into the service department more times for our Volvo in two years than we were for our last 3 Hondas combined over 10 years. And for little annoyances -- jiggly window, leaky sunroof, bad insulation in one door, faulty vent doors in heating/cooling system, power steering problems, to name a few. The multitude of little problems has made us wonder what bigger problems we might face in the next year or two.

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  I love this car/suv/whatever it is - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By gift4gab - December 27 - 2:00 am

  Weve had this car since December and drive it everywhere. Does well on the highway and manuveurs well in the city. Wish the turning radius was a bit better, but thats just finding something to find wrong. We gave up the Honda Odyssey for this, thank goodness. The Volvo is comfortable, quiet, roomy yet managable. I dont have any problems with the way it looks, drives or feels.

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  An excellent car - 2003 Volvo S60
  By pault - December 27 - 2:00 am

  Im very pleased. Rock solid build, no unnerving shimmies rattles or shakes. To date, not a single glitch has arison - the car has been bullet- proof. Great styling, rich feature set, and veeeeery comfortable (at least in the front seat). Surprisingly good fuel economy.

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  First and last Volvo - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By kyle - December 25 - 4:10 pm

  Great car for the first couple of weeks. Then it would not accelerate. It took four trips to the dealer, and me having to drive the car for them. They had to change the fuel tank, and pump. Lots of noises and clunks, that they cant fix.

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  New C70 Owner - 2006 Volvo C70
  By CPW - December 23 - 8:30 am

  Overall, I love this car and would highly recommend it, but there have been a few issues that you should be aware of. The roof/windows leak during washing. Both driver and passenger seats have 3 settings which is great, but I dont like that you have to hold the button vs. "one touch". It is very fun to drive and handles great. I have heard complaints about the navigation system, but I think it is much better than others I have used (including Lexus and BMW). I love the remote control feature with the navigation. With this said... it is a great car and a lot of fun!

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  V70 Luxury Wagon - 2009 Volvo V70
  By Master - December 22 - 2:13 pm

  Second V70 Previously Owned 2008 V70. This Sports wagon.. is extremely quiet Luxurious ..excellent Build quality.. The mileage on both the 08 and the 09 have been excellent for a car of this caliber.. 22 In town/ 30 MPG on the highway. which is comparative to My 2009 Accord Premium Feel..will carry just about anything..Great alternative to SUV..

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  very good car - 2001 Volvo S60
  By anwar - December 22 - 11:23 am

  i bought my volvo s60 for the safety features and looks,so far so good.

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  I highly recommend joining the club! - 2004 Volvo S60
  By pythonfan6 - December 22 - 10:00 am

  This isnt a soccer moms Volvo. Please dont by one if you dont intend to DRIVE it and know what it means to control a wolf in sheeps clothing. The acceleration is a kick in the seat of the pants. Fling it around a couple of tight corners and you truly appreciate all the computers that make cornering a dream. I doubted the Active Chassis system until I drove the car. The difference between the settings is very noticeable. The ride is silky in comfort, comfortable but aggressive in sport, and stuck to the asphalt-track ready in advanced. Everything you loved about Volvo, only 1000 times better.

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  Culturally confused but very nice - 2003 Volvo S40
  By Larry Pope - December 22 - 10:00 am

  I have never owned a Ford product. I have never owned a Volvo. Ive never owned a Mitsubishi product. Ive never owned a car built in Holland. One purchase covered all of those voids. That said, the car is well built, and gutsy. Its my wifes driver and she loves it. My only complaint with the car is that the 4 cylinder is a little noisy. But Ive driven few 4 cylinders that didnt sound like sewing machines.