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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  pimpit - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By xc90pimp - November 4 - 10:00 am

  This SUV is awesome. It definitely is in a class of its own. The style is like no other. It doesnt have that blocky US SUV feel. The ride is the smoothest. Interior lacks a little in the leg room when talking about the second row. But hey the seats are plush and comfortable. And as alwyas all of the safety features are well ahead of other SUVs.

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  Europe experience - 2014 Volvo S60
  By zuli - November 1 - 5:07 pm

  We took factory delivery and put 3600 miles on the car in a six week road trip. Extremely comfortable seats. Averaged twenty six mpg at ninety on the Autobahn. Averaged thirty at lower speeds. Last car was a BMW. This doesnt corner the same but is more comfortable and offers much more interior room. We are very pleased. The factory delivery is a treat and a lot of fun.

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  Volvo interior is a modern dream!!! - 2005 Volvo S40
  By OverseaVolvoDeliver - October 31 - 2:53 am

  After picking up the Volvo S40 T5 2005 in Sweden and driving it around Sweden all the way to Italy and now all around the State of Texas - the performance of the T5 will knock you back in your seat and the 0-60 and 0- 100 is great (Gotta love the "AUTO BAHNNNNNNNNNN").

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  S60 R Review - 2004 Volvo S60
  By drapolas - October 29 - 10:00 am

  I was looking for a performance sedan for quite some time, and decided to test drive the S60 R just as a joke. After driving it, and learning more about the amazing technology features on board, I couldnt stop talking about it. I usually prefer German and Japanese cars, and I test drove the BMW 330 xi, the Audi A4 3.0, the new S4, and the infiniti G35 coupe. It took me 6 months to finally convince myself that the S60 R was just a better overall package of performance and practicality. It just provide the best of all comfort, performance, fun with the best seats in the automotive industry. The engine is a marvel particularly with the 6 Speed Manual.

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  Volvo XC90 - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By KerryLD - October 25 - 9:13 pm

  I just purchased this vehicle. My first feeling was that the car was neither as luxurious or as smooth a ride as it should be for a "luxury SUV." It is hard to work the third row seat when attempting to lay them down. Also it is extremely difficult to see behind on either side because of the headrests, front and back. The car has many blind spots which make for uncomfortable backing up. As the "safest" vehicle on the road they should have given you better visibility. Finally,though, the true value of the vehicle showed when I hit a large pool of water and did not skid or move from side to side. There is nothing like sitting in the front seat at 65 mph and feeling that sense of safety.

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  Best of the Best - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By FredM - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I felt that this was the best SUV that I drove. I drove the x5 (all over the road), the Acura MDX (Too stiff) but lots of goodies for the price. I have to wait for mine to come in. Seems like there is a long waiting list

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  Nice car with incredible service for 5 yr or 60 k - 2012 Volvo S60
  By kaos2 - October 23 - 10:46 am

  This is a great car. I test drove the a4 and 3 series. All three are great cars. But optioned out the s60 kicks BMW and Audi butt. About $5k less. I received 5 yr warranty including maintenance at no charge! Not even BMW can beat that.

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  GREAT SUV - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By MGAIL - October 23 - 10:00 am

  I HAVE OWNED MY VOLVO XC90 FOR 3 MONTHS AND IT IS A GREAT SUV! DRIVES GREAT, RIDES SMOOTHLY AND HAS PLENTY OF ROOM. THE 5 CYLINDER HAS GREAT POWER AND IT GETS 20 MPG WHICH I AM PLEASED WITH. A GREAT VEHICLE TO OWN. I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

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  Love this ride! - 2002 Volvo C70
  By ckckC70 - October 21 - 2:00 am

  Its just a joy to drive. Incredibly comfortable seats, great sound system, good controls. There is an irritating lag in acceleration from a stop, which Im told is typical of turbo engines.

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  Love, love love! - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Kate - October 20 - 6:13 pm

  Just bought this puppy! Love it. However, I feel the ride is a little bumpy. Maybe after the shocks loosen up a bit... Very nice to drive with user friendly dash