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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  beyond expectations - 2005 Volvo V50
  By JP - October 25 - 4:00 pm

  Volvo was not a contender in our original search for a station wagon. After much research we settled on the A4 wagon, then we went to the SF car show. A fantastic vehicle that trumps BMW and Audi on all the features that mattered to us; interior space, horsepower (torque lbs), and styling. Our only hesitation was that it was the first year model, but the $10k we saved convinced us to take the plunge.

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  First Expensive Car ... - 2004 Volvo S60
  By John Sanfilippo - October 23 - 5:20 pm

  Car is very fun to drive. I do not use it as an everyday car so when I do drive it what a treat! The car is clean, smooth, and the sound system is very, very good. (I enjoy music and understand subtles others may not. Try listening to the Beatles "I Am the Eggman" the separation from the Dolby II Pro Logic is unbelievable. Or you Rush Fans listening to "Subdivision" -- you will be blown away.

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  Converted BMW Fan - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Converted2 - October 23 - 10:00 am

  We just purchased our XC90 3 weeks ago after having considered the Acura MDX and the BMW X5. In the past, although we favored the safety features Volvo cars come equipped with, we have not been so impressed with the look/design of the former Volvo models, until the xc90, that is...On top of the classy, clean exterior and simplistic but elegant interior, the XC90 handsdown, out-weigh the competion with the 1st in class safety features. Having owned BMWs and Mercedes before, we are now converted Volvo fans since we got the XC90.

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  More than we expected - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By diegosbone - October 21 - 7:13 pm

  In 2006, after our second child, we were looking for a good looking SUV with a 3rd row option. We narrowed the list now to the Lexus LX, Benz GL and the Volvo. Test drove them all, and kept coming back to the Volvo. The Swedish ergonomics were very nice. Everything was in its proper place. Electronics are tricked out, and the price was reasonable. After 2yr, 24,000 miles, I have zero complaints, only praise. I have had zero mechanical failures (very surprising).

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  Ive enjoyed it - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Ethesis - October 20 - 12:30 pm

  Ive really enjoyed it, on the price to fun ratio, especially at $7k off list, Im very pleased.

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  Volvo - 1998 Volvo S70
  By SA TX - October 16 - 10:00 am

  I really enjoy driving this car. It is fun. Have I hit 15 words, yet?

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  My S40 - 2004 Volvo S40
  By mhanny - October 16 - 10:00 am

  It is an excellent fun car to drive. It is comfortable and it has power out on the hiway. Its look is sleek and aerodynamic.

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  Zippy and sexy - 2004 Volvo C70
  By mrsK - October 16 - 10:00 am

  The Volvo C70 is a zippy, sexy, fun car to drive. It has pick-up and glides around curves. It feels sooo good with the top down. The interior is quite nice; the seats are very comfortable. The back seat even has ample room for two. Only negatives are the small trunk and the rear window when the top is up-- -hard to see out of.

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  Lake Tahoe Loves the Cross Country - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By Mama Bear - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Our Cross Country has been a true joy. There hasnt been one thing thats gone wrong or thats needed fixing. Our kids love the 3rd row seating and I love to drive! I had to drive 60 miles in 12 inch deep snow and it handled it with ease! My daughter slept through it all. Well done!

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  Fun and Safety, All in One Car - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By cobrien049 - October 16 - 10:00 am

  This car is a blast to drive - smooth, quiet, comfortable, with controls all in easy-to-use locations. Third row of seats, integrated booster seat and state-of-the-art safety features make this car very family-friendly. A convenient, sporty, yet sophisticated choice for the discriminating soccer mom.