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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  Fun run around vehicle - 2009 Volvo S40
  By Shawn Reed - November 4 - 10:30 pm

  I bought the car from my son. Fun to drive great handling, peppy, rides firm like most sports cars. Great mpg. Very few mechanical issues. Visually impressive lines.

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  Leaping Transmission - 2010 Volvo XC70
  By Driven - November 4 - 12:30 am

  This is my second Volvo, with a BMW, Yukon, Jaguar, in between. My wife has had three and is happy, but not me. My XC70 has a transmission that makes a slight jolt forward at low speeds coming off a stop. It just jumps without my pressing the gas pedal and the dealer has tried software updates and other things but hasnt fixed it after several tries. Im not happy with this and wonder if the all wheel drive is the cause. Anyone else have this issue, because Im told there are no tech bulletins on this problem.

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  Pleased So Far - 2007 Volvo S60
  By ExMB - October 31 - 1:06 pm

  Just purchased this auto after turning in a leased Mercedes C300. I loved that car so stepping down is going to be a bummer. However, I am pleased thus far about the Volvo. Good ride, though not sporty at all, and quality seats help it. I like the safety record and the reliability prospects for the car.

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  Still Kicking - 2001 Volvo V40
  By Brian - October 30 - 2:16 pm

  I just turned over 200,000 kms and the V40 is still performing deciently. Noticeable interior creaks and squeaks recently but nothing the stock sound system can handle. My V40 is my office and it still handles great. My only complaint is the cost of servicing this vehicle. Without doubt the most expensive car I have ever owned for regular maintenance. Beware.

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  Most comfortable and one of the safest car - 2007 Volvo S80
  By xjungrocx - October 27 - 10:23 pm

  Styling is very conservative and bland, which is my favorite feature of the car. This car is very comfortable and has plenty of power to spend. I would recommend this car to anyone who is looking into buying luxury midsize sedan with AWD system that works.

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  Volvo for Life - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Stell - October 23 - 5:26 pm

  I have owned my S60 since 2001, just hit 70k miles. It has been reliable and saved my life in a highway spinout at 70+mph. I have been lightly rear-ended twice and I felt nothing, barely any damage, this car holds up and I feel SAFE! It does well on gas mileage for long highway trips but is a total gas guzzler in the city. It performs well in winter weather. I change the oil every 3500 miles and keep up routine maintenance. Car is really spacious and the trunk holds a lot. Overall it has been a reliable, safe, easy-to-drive car and I receive many complement on its looks.

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  A happy first-time Volvo owner - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Victor Kilo - October 16 - 12:56 am

  Never owned a high performance luxury sedan before..looked at many models. S60R fit the bill in terms of performance, style and price. Have owned it 4 months now, no complaints. Powerful, stealthy...and COMFORTABLE. This is a solid car. I have the 6spd manual w/17 in. wheels...you can get very good gas mileage with this car if youre not constantly leadfooting...which is hard to do considering the horsepower and the overall fun of driving the car. On my drive to work (25 miles one way) I can average 30+ mpg easily. Turbos are great for this, you can tweak the mileage in your favor if you drive it gently..but hey, who wants to always do that? You have to let it GO sometimes :-)

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  Its the best I have driven so far - 1997 Volvo 960
  By Stuka - October 4 - 6:16 am

  I never thought I would have bought a Volvo. But after riding with one of my friends in his S90, I could not keep away from getting one too. I have had it for 8 years and taken it all over the east cost as well as Canada several times. I am ready for a new car and decided to give it to my daughter as her 1st car. My experience with this car made me buy my wife a V70 XC , an awesome car too . Will buy myself a good V70R next

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  Mixed Impressions - 2005 Volvo S40
  By rsb - October 2 - 2:56 am

  Overall I am very satisfied with the performance and build. Not too satisfied with the A/C performance -- even after software update, A/C does not always switch on correctly. Clutch pedal making noise even after greasing. Trunk had problems with the lock.

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  Its a great car. - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By esm - October 1 - 2:00 am

  The car is great but there needs to be more storage area.