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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  A "Volvo For Life" man is born - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Dave Besancon - July 10 - 3:56 am

  I just want you, who are having a tough time making a decision on this car, to know the following. I aggravated on this vehicle for over a year and then finally sat in one. Within seconds I knew this was it. We have owned ours over a month and it has been the greatest car I have owned. Extremely comfortable, very quick, and the gadgets work great. This vehicle is very stable and comfortable. The AWD already saved us while driving in ice. It pulled us back out of a slide before we had a chance to react. The space from rear to front seat is a little shy but we dont use the back much. It is a very elegant looking car too. Dont be afraid to buy this car. Volve takes good care of you.

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  Great Buy: - 2005 Volvo S80
  By Mark Smipson - July 9 - 2:13 am

  This car has a very smooth ride and a very smooth 5 cylinder engine. This car is probobly the most comfortable car with the best leather I have been in in years. The relliabillity has been good.

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  Nice daily driver - 2011 Volvo C30
  By LMSTENT - July 8 - 10:00 am

  Recently purchased the C30 with 6 speed manual to use as a daily driver. It has a very nice balance between handling and comfort with a bent toward the fun side. The acceleration is decent and the car is nice and solid. For such a small car, I feel safe (I guess typical Volvo) -- the doors are sturdy and the car is heavy for its class. The car is unique in appearance and is general a joy to drive (have put 2,000 miles on the car - so beyond the "honeymoon" period. Demerits include slight rattle from both windows when partially down and horrible whistling wind noise from the seatbelt outlets when fully open. Decent but not great Dynaudio sound; manual not up to par with other European cars.

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  Great Car! - 2011 Volvo S60
  By Vanilla - July 8 - 10:00 am

  I have only had my car for a week now, but I love it. Its super fast and very comfortable. The stero and car functions are somewhat confusing, but I think I can work through that.

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  2nd Volvo S40 - 2010 Volvo S40
  By R Johnson - July 8 - 10:00 am

  The 1.9% fin, maint covered for 5yrs/60K miles pursuaded me to buy 2nd S40 (prior being 06). Ownership experience has exceeded every reasonable expectation. With few exceptions (AC compressor), maint expense has been more than reasonable, considerably less than had I settled on another luxury make (considered BMW, Lexus). Seating is very comfortable, interior asthetically clean and simple, dash/instrumentation very intuitive. Subtle changes from my prior S40 is improved center console, USB/AUX/iPOD interface, Bluetooth, Satelite/HD radio, Auto- Climate control, BLIS. performance/handling is tight and responsive, though not as that as the 06 (which had sport-tuned suspension)

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  Best Volvo Yet - 2012 Volvo XC60
  By jerry philipp - July 4 - 8:57 am

  Probably owned over 8 Volvos since 1982. This by far is the best one. Great warranty service when I needed their help. AAA rating for Hudson Valley Volvo. Will see them when I return from Fl to see if I can sell this one to them and then lease a 2016 Volvo same model.

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  Tried and True Workhorse - 2005 Volvo XC70
  By Bob - July 4 - 6:56 am

  I purchased a 2005 Volvo XC 70 to replace my 2002 XC70 CC. It is virtually same car, but with smoother performance and ride. The transmission on my 2002 broke down at around 28,000 miles, but I purchased another one anyway. This is a great wagon. It is very dependable and fun do drive. The outside visability problems that I expereiced with my 2002 have been corrected to a degree. This models response, including turbo, is smoother than in 2002 was and the transmission definitely works better. It has great pickup and hugs the road. Its perfect for snowy weather. I can drive with no problem in weather that forces other 4WD off the road. Overall, this is a good car even for the slightly lofty price.

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  Wow what took me so long!!!! - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By TCN II - July 3 - 6:36 am

  It is absolutely the best purchase i have ever made. It is comfortable, wonderful to drive and lots of room for "baseball stuff"

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  This Is The SUV For You - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Bob - July 1 - 2:06 pm

  The XC 60 is by far the best car I have driven and/or owned in my 40 years of driving. I did a great deal of research on it prior to its release date and it has exceeded my expectations. I traded in a fully loaded Highlander for this car and I am glad I did. It is a much better vehicle than the Highlander, which I liked. The XC 60 drives and handles very well; extremely powerful on the highway.

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  Surprisingly Good - 2008 Volvo XC70
  By John Callister - July 1 - 7:36 am

  It is even better than I expected. The interior is all of a piece, with those wonderful Volvo seats. The controls are similar to the last 2002 XC70 we had, rewarding the repeat customer. There is no flimsy dash mounted cupholder like the old XC70! The car seats 4 in absolute comfort. We had a way-back third seat in the old XC70, but not on this one, we almost never used it.