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 XC90 T8 Hybrid is a Beast!!!!! - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By MilesM - September 9 - 11:48 am

  I own a brand new 2016 XC 90 T8 Hybrid. As stated in many reviews, it is an awesome, awesome car!!! It is a BEAST!!!!! Beautiful exterior styling, and very smartly designed interior. The T8 Hybrid is a perfect combination of Eco mode (electric) for short trips, and power mode (gas) for longer trips (very fuel efficient engine). Power is stunning ( not quite Tesla, but at a better price point), for a 4 cylinder (who would have thought a 4 cylinder and electric motor could punch out almost 400 HP). Add the safety components, and this is almost the perfect car for todays market. Great job Volvo. You have hit the SUV "sweet spot". The perfect combination of form and function. I am glad to say I am one of the first owners of this great vehicle. May Volvo find much success and thrive in the future. The XC90 (especially the hybrid T8) is a thoroughbred.

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  Utterly unique in a sea of sameness - 2008 Volvo V50
  By mitch - September 6 - 3:50 pm

  This cars smart! Not generic Japanese, nor flashy BMW. Distinctive, so few on the road. Why? Designers have done super-sculptural job w/sheet metal around wheels, hood, roofline. Handsome! Perfectly scaled, hauls stuff but still comfy compact footprint. Fab interior for a 63"guy, though leaves back seats cramped. Settling into front is like puttting on fine gloves, famous Volvo seats coddle. Easy, high quality controls arent over-baked. Zippy turbo rocks. Nice throaty engine. You feel all the road bumps, suspension tight. A little oversteer. Not a big issue. I just love the Volvo ethos, low key class, a bit quirky, solid, albeit at a price.

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  Great look, great safety - 2002 Volvo S60
  By Junec - September 6 - 9:43 am

  The Volvo S60 is the most favorite sports sedan I have ever owned. It has been problem free, is fun to drive, has great styling, and is very comfortable. The engine is powerful which in an urban area is important and the safety features like SIPS, side air bags, and seatbelts that will lock you in instaneously in an accident are second to none.

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  Fun AND Comfortable on long commute - 2006 Volvo S40
  By PA-NYC_Volvo driver - September 6 - 8:23 am

  Never gave Volvo a thought until I test drove this car and was I impressed. I test drove the BVW 3series, Audi, Honda, Acura and was suprised to find that this car was actually fun, quick and handling was comparable to its competitors. Did I mention fun...Hold on when the turbo kicks in...got to remember to lay off the accelerator at times! It maneuvers/responds superbly in and out of tight city traffic or interstate traffic. The one hour drive is very comfortable especially after a 13hr work day. Besides, I couldnt have gotten a fully loaded vehicle w/ so many options I didnt think were necessary but now cant do without for less than 30K....definitely not the other mentioned vehicles

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  Well built speed machine! - 2008 Volvo C30
  By Good Job Volvo - September 5 - 3:36 pm

  I have owned this car for 8000 miles now. I wanted to get in some seat time and see how the car would responed to my new born daughter and her car seat before I write a review. Volvo has indeed out done itself. From the ordering process to the driving experience(minus the build time). I was hooked the second I jumped in and cranked the key. My wife and I were worried about our daughters car seat. We have a Graco rear facing seat with the quick release base. I have only two complaints about this. One, is that you have to move the seat forward in order for it to fit. Luckily for my wife she is small. The second is locking of the seat after I put the car seat in or out of the car

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  Perfect so far - 2007 Volvo S40
  By alice_s40 - September 4 - 9:42 pm

  This was not the car I was shopping for when I bought it, I was looking at a BMW 330ihad they not sold it I would be driving that and complaining about the oil changes. However I currently have 45k on mine, its a stick and its a blast to drive. Mine is red so it attracts the looks and questions. Great gas mileage about 28-32 respectively, its been driven on some back country roads where traction was an issue and handled it great, snow no problem. All I have done is the oil changes, synthetic blend when The light tells me too..great car, fun to drive, has a little road noise but I replaced the tires and so far so good. Now having said all these good things nothing btw go wrong.

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  Im spoiled for ordinary cars - 2007 Volvo S60
  By Zach - September 4 - 7:46 am

  This car is lightning fast, stable, and comfortable on long drives. The best of both worlds in terms of a sports car with coupe lines that you can live with and bring along friends. Great stereo, phenomenal seats - this car fits me better than anything else I have ever driven.

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  Excellent Used Car Value - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By cjbluedevil06 - September 3 - 8:34 pm

  I purchased my XC90 2.5T in March. It is the third Volvo that I have owned and is by far my favorite. I traded in my 2004 S60 to buy the XC90. Many people say that the 2.5T engine is underpowered, but I feel that its 208hp feels peppy and is perfectly matched to the transmission. The handling feels confident and the seats are very comfortable. As far as cargo spaces is concerned, I am pleased. Fuel economy is decent for a vehicle of its size. I average about 17 in town and 23-24 on the highway. The cabin is quiet and the interior is composed of high quality materials. My vehicle has the optional navigation system, which is nice, but inputing information can be an annoyance.

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  Great Car for a fraction of a price - 2004 Volvo V40
  By assam - September 2 - 10:00 am

  THis is a great car . Lot of space, good safety as with any volvo. Good milage (22-30).

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  At this price it a no brainer!!!!!!!!! - 2004 Volvo S40
  By jammer - September 2 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I just recently purchased our S40 and are quite impressed. The ride and comfort is just great! After driving SUVs and trucks for the past 5 yrs it is a relief to find a vehicle with accelleration, fuel ecomony, and ride comfort in such a inexpensive vehicle. The interior of the car makes you feel like you riding in a luxury vehicle costing $10,000 more. Our S40 has the premium and climate package and was bought for only $22,000!!! Anyone looking at a SAAB 9-3, Audi A4, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, or even a Hyundai XG350, do yourself a favor and look at an S40. Youll find you can save $1,000s when getting the Volvo.