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:

• 

  Standard Safety Features - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Scott C. Wadley - November 30 - 2:43 pm

  This vehicle is very appealing from outside to inside. The features are very distinctive and attractive.

• 

  The Last Volvo I Will Own - 2000 Volvo S80
  By hiram - November 29 - 10:00 am

  My S80 T6 is the seventh Volvo I have owned. This is also the last one I will purchase. At 31,000 miles the steering rack and most of the front suspension failed. Since the car was Volvo Certified these repairs were covered under warranty. However, the delays, fowl-ups and outright lies by the dealer service staff have forced me to demand the dealer (Transatlantic Motors in Hyannis, Massachusetts) buy back the car. The car is going on its sixth day out of service, primarily because of the service departments ineptitude in ordering parts properly. Frankly, I find more respect and consideration in the service department of the local Hyundai dealer.

• 

  1st volvo - 2004 Volvo S80
  By eplus - November 29 - 10:00 am

  The 4C option is great its like 2 diffrent cars /sport and comfort.Premium sound system way better than Cadillac I leased.Quieter smoother and faster than the 2001 cadillac seville.Driver seat very comfortable on long drives .So far at 5500 miles best car ever had.

• 

  Fantastic SUV - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Robert - November 27 - 3:06 pm

  Best Vehicle I have ever owned. I have driven many SUVs but never had so much fun, comfort, and reliability in one vehicle. I highly recommend going with Volvo. Well thought out design and great safety features.

• 

  EXCELLENT CHOICE!!! - 2002 Volvo S60
  By INDIANAJONES73 - November 27 - 10:00 am

  THIS IS THE FIRST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED AND I AM VERY PLEASED WITH MY PURCHASE DESCISION. I DROVE THE JAG, BMW, AUDI, AND ACURA AND WAS BLOWN AWAY BY THE RESPONSIVENESS OF THE 2.4T. THE CAR IS NIMBLE AND THE RIDE QUALITY IS UNSURPASSED. THE HUGE LIST OF STANDARD FETURES ARE A GREAT BONUS AS WELL.

• 

  Only useful as a city vehicle - 2018 Volvo XC90
  By Doc - November 27 - 6:02 am

  I test drove this vehicle. Wonderful interior, nice exterior styling. The electronics and safety are impressive. But... whoever designed and engineered the drive train was misguided. The 14 mile all-electric range is a joke. 8 miles at best. The gasoline powered range is laughable. 13 gallons fuel capacity. The T8 is really a front wheel drive vehicle with an electric rear wheel drive assist. I cannot imagine what the range would be if you were towing a boat or had something mounted on the roof. It is probably well suited for someone who lives in the city, drives the kids to school and goes to the market. With the short electric range, you will find the gas engine is virtually always needed and thus you are just hauling around an extra 500 lbs. of spent batteries. But with a full charge, this vehicle is fast from a standstill. Only two negatives about the rest of the car: The front armrests are too short for tall drivers and the ride with the optional wheels and tires is a bit rough, even with the air suspension. Positives are many, but this is a very expensive vehicle once you start adding options. Many dealers are selling them at or below invoice. The extra $5002 in tax credit would be appreciated, but the T6 is a much better value. BTW. I am probably getting another X5 diesel.

• 

  Fun to drive little Car - 2000 Volvo S40
  By bobj - November 24 - 11:40 pm

  I own an S70 and a S40. The S40 is much more fun to drive than the S70. The car is very responsive. It is a little smaller than I would like but is still comfortable. In the 26 months I owned it, I have not had a single problem with the car.

• 

  Loving it! - 2016 Volvo XC60
  By PSim - November 23 - 10:22 am

  My R design with E drive is very economical, easy on gas...but accelerates like a rocket, great performance. Super comfortable interior, and a super solid Volvo design as I would expect. No flimsy feeling doors on a Volvo! I highly recommend

• 

  I would buy it again!!!!!!!!!! - 2002 Volvo V70
  By Lorenzo - November 22 - 5:56 am

  Great car, bought it for me but wife felt in love with it and stole it! Great stability, precise steering at any speed. Super comfortable front seats. Back seats to narrow and not enough leg room especially if the driver has long legs like mine (I am 62"). Great car stereo. Great horn. Great brake system, very safe car. The 2.5 is and adequate engine, altough I recommend T or superior engine if you like a better picup. Very elegant!!

• 

  Shines in bad weather - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Guillermo - November 20 - 6:26 pm

  All around solid vehicle. Its an Ocean Race Edition, but with the 5-cylinder engine (thats how it was packaged in Canada). You only need a V8 if you plan on towing. Drive it in and around Calgary, which gets a wide range of weather conditions. The AWD is particularly impressive in the rain and snow (winter tires are necessary for half the year, of course). Other than routine scheduled maintenance, have only had a couple of fixes (head light and wheel bearing) which were covered under warranty.