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:

• 

  DER PANZER WAGEN - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Grimshaw - December 15 - 11:43 am

  With this economy I went from a 05 Jag XJ8L (repoed) to a bicycle to this car. I bought this car 3 months ago. I gotta say, I dont miss the jag that much! This tank could use some more power and my friend says it drives like a golf cart but I dig it. Ran into the heaviest rain Ive ever seen in Jacksonville and handled like a dream. Made a couple of 7 hour trips to Charleston from Florida and it was great. City driving is good too, although it is really loud. The odometer is broken ($300 to fix)but the dealership can still get the mileage from the computer. All and all Im really pleased with this ride and Im going to be driving it for a long time or at least till the economy comes back!

• 

  One of the best! - 2006 Volvo V70
  By Phil Corray - December 14 - 6:26 am

  Easily one of the best cars I have ever driven! I am an enthusiast who has owned and driven everything. If youre to buy this car, youre getting $65,000 of quality for 40. If youre the kind of person who likes to have something that is all about quality and also shows complete thoughtfulness without wanting to impress anyone but yourself, this is the car for you. Its a car that can easily be put on a track and later cart your wife, kids and the dog home as well.

• 

  Best car I have ever owned - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By glennzwif - December 12 - 4:10 pm

  Hands down this is the best car that I have ever owned. From the day I drove it off the lot, I havent had one complaint (which is rare!). It hugs the road even in our snowy New Hampshire winter, has made it easily through the slippery mountains of Vermont when others couldnt, and last weekend we drove it to Quebec in a blizzard and it handled great. My husband is a pretty big guy (64" and about 240) and he is extremely comfortable. Couldnt be happier with my purchase.

• 

  A great SUV! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By xuan liu - December 10 - 10:00 am

  This is a truely great SUV, the best I have ever had!

• 

  Comfort and Style - 2002 Volvo S80
  By Jude Rafeal - December 10 - 6:56 am

  Replaced transmission under warranty at around 67K miles. Makes me wonder if this car is a keeper. What else might go wrong when it is not under warranty? Otherwise, I like the car very much. I am a Boomer and always wanted a Volvo in college.

• 

  She is fast and fun! I love Volvo! - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Ju-Ju 50 - December 7 - 5:50 am

  The previous owner took excellent care of her. She hardly looked sat in, much less driven. I couldnt believe my luck, to total my Volvo sw and find a beaut waiting for me to buy her. Its amazing to put my foot on the accelerator and find out Im going 93 and it feels like Im going 35! She feels like an affordable luxury car. Leather seating, air conditioning ducts behind the rear seats, front seat warmers, wiper blades on the headlights, a button for wet weather control. The ride is quiet, cruise control makes the drive effortless, smooth. She was used after all; the locks needed replacing, and the transmission because I forgot to shift out of low while driving on the freeway.

• 

  XC90 V8 First Trip Review - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By ABVBYND02 - December 5 - 7:56 pm

  We have put the first 900 miles on our XC90 V8. On our longest trip was going from Sacramento, thru Clear Lake and then up to the North Coast on Hwy 101 to near Crecent City, we averaged 20.4 mpg. That is driving thru the mountains, passing other vehicles (motorhomes and trucks with trailers). The speeds ranged from 70 on the Hwy, and between 35 and 50 thru the various towns, up and down hills and mountains. The vehicle handled like a dream,took turns in the mountains extremely well and never felt like it couldnt handle everthing we threw at it. We even took it off paved road, on a dirty, dusty dirt road, that leads to the coast, and even crossed 3 small streams. This vehicle is awesome!

• 

  Wow!!! Is there anything better? - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Bill Boyd - December 2 - 2:00 am

  OK, First if you are going to drive a car for 100K plus you are going to have to put a couple of bucks in it. As for me I purchaced a unit that was very well cared for and is a dream to drive. When people talk about the way it corners, they should be reminded its a WAGON. For a wagon you will not find a more sound car. Clasic lines and more power than I ever could have dreamed of. Buy one of these gems!!!!!

• 

  Great multi-purpose machine - 2002 Volvo V70
  By galet - December 2 - 2:00 am

  A great looking, sporty, responsive wagon. Lots of head and leg room with space for the grandkids and all their "things".

• 

  Best Car Ive Owned - 2006 Volvo S40
  By Tracy - December 1 - 6:16 am

  This car is by far the best car I have owned! Comfort and reliability are hands down in the top 1% of its class. I love driving this car -- especially after I have driven another for any amount of time. It is a much smoother ride than my BMW 328i, and has better handling. I traded my Mazda RX-8 in on this car and although reluctant to go from a sportscar to another sedan, I am so glad that I did! This car is just as much fun to drive as the RX-8, but so much more reliable and comfortable! And can comfortably seat 5 adults.