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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  volvo - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By rht - September 22 - 10:00 am

  Very solid ride. Third row seating much more spacious than the Lexus GX470 or LX470.

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  Best Volvo Yet - 2016 Volvo XC70
  By Dhp - September 21 - 9:46 pm

  Professional review was correct - crossover substitute (in fact, XC70 is titled as a crossover). Super comfortable street-legal tank. Our last XC70 held up to an accident like a tank and this model seems even heavier and more stable.

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  my 2nd xc90 - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Derrick - September 20 - 9:56 am

  This is our second xc90, we loved our 2004, but we wanted the rear entertainment package, so we traded for a 2006 with everthing. After looking at some other SUVs recently due to co-workers buying new ones I wouldnt trade mine for anything else Ive seen out yet.

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  First, But Not Last Volvo - 2009 Volvo S60
  By happy - September 18 - 9:50 pm

  Extremely happy with the 2009 Volvo S60 AWD Special Edition. Great factory incentives (i.e. 5 year 60K warantee and free maintenance for a year, plus all the cash back) made this a no- brainer. Far cheaper than the BMW 328, the Mercedes C-300, etc, but with a far greater safety record, better MPG, better warranty, and FREE maintenance for 5 years! Louvering Volvo was a great dealership with no hassles or pressure, and provides free annual detailing for the life of the car. Plenty of acceleration and the 5 speed tranny keeps the RPMs low, saving gas. Would recommend both the car and the dealership to anyone in the market for a new or used car.

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  Love this car - 2004 Volvo C70
  By Eye Run - September 18 - 9:03 am

  I traded in a Chevy Trailblazer and this Volvo is absolutely a dream to drive. The only problem I have with it is the inability of the CD player to go from 1 disc to another without having to eject and press the next track. I also miss the controls on the steering wheel. Ive had dozens of compliments and the car is only 3 months old! Love this car!!

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  cool - 2002 Volvo S60
  By hoiev - September 17 - 12:43 am

  very nice

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  Fun in the Kansas sun! - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Mahlon McCaleb - September 16 - 10:00 am

  Aside from the fact that Volvo has created vehicles that can be serviced primarily only at the dealer (where nothing is inexpensive), this is an awesome car. Combination city/hwy economy is 24mpg. She handles excellent in wet or dry conditions and it is by far the most comfortable car I have ever driven! Id stay away from the T-6, but the 2.9L is exceptional.

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  Ocean Race 2006 - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Branko from Slovenia - September 11 - 11:46 am

  The last OCEAN RACE EDITION in Europe. Be happy with this car like Im. Nice regards from Slovenia. Branko

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  Best Swedish car out there! - 2004 Volvo S60
  By s60smycar - September 11 - 10:00 am

  I absolutely love my new S60 T5! The seats are superb and the ergonomics are great. Plus, theres very few turbo lag!!!

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  Best Kept Secret - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Hand - September 11 - 10:00 am

  The XC90 T6 AWD 7-passenger was truly like finding a diamond in the rough. Its ride and handling is amazing compared to my previous ML-320 and frequent rides in a MDX and Lexus R330 - firm and positive, but comfortable and reassuring. The interior feature controls are simple and straightforward and all the features are there for simple execution. This expecially applies to the VAC and the pop-up navigation system which uses a click and point system like a computer running Windows.