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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  Traded Up - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By john schipp - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Traded up from a turck-based SUV to a XC90 and a Honda Pilot -- both are extraordinary vehicles. I expect to own them for a long, long time, so reliability is a major issue.

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  Hals Volvo Cross Country - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By Hal Yates - May 22 - 2:00 am

  It was love at first drive when I picked up my XC at the factory in Gothenburg, Sweden.. We drove throughout Europe for 6 weeks and found it to be very responsive on narrow mountain roads as well as on the Autobahn. We just finished a cross USA trip from Washington to Virginia and back..in all types of road and weather conditions. Again it performed beautifully. Gas mileage was an average of 24.8. Overall, I give this vehicle a solit

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  Wife had to have it! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Bob Shepherd - May 22 - 2:00 am

  My wife at, 5 foot 2 inches, has a hard time getting into and out of most SUVs. And since the XC-90 was going to be hers. We visited the Houston auto show last winter. She got into and out of every SUV there. The Toyoto was too tall. The Nissan was too far. And she couldnt even get over the edge of the BMWs seat. The XC-90 was just right! She had to have it!

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  Swedish Delight - 1997 Volvo 960
  By FnotY - May 21 - 10:00 am

  I think that the 700/900 series Volvos were by far the best. The rear wheel drive design (which is well balanced front to rear) gives the best of both worlds regarding ride & traction. With the styling update that occured in 1995, the 960 became, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful cars on the road.

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  Luxury at a bargain price - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Robert - May 20 - 3:26 pm

  I fell in love with the styling of this car the first year it was introduced--not the brick that Volvo enthusiasts admire. This is the most exciting automoabile I ever owned. But its not just the looks that make it so great. It is a teriffic touring car, with a combination of smooth acceleration with power to get you into or out of the flow of traffic at will, and the comfort to drive for hours without fatigue. Navigation system is first rate. Backup radar has paid for itself several times, preventing rear end damage backing up in tight quarters. Its been a very reliable car, the only issues being cooling fan and battery replaced under warranty. Despite the power, highway mpg is 27.

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  Edmunds Helped Me Make The Right Choice - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Diane - May 20 - 6:56 am

  I did my research before buying our 2007 Volvo XC90. Needed an AWD and wanted a safe and roomy ride for our grandchild. Edmunds really helped in the process of elimination and we are so happy we chose (and found) a Volvo. Thanks!

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  Awesome vehicle - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By KIKI - May 19 - 10:53 am

  I am a 65 year old grandmother and feel really good driving my grandchildren around in this safe vehicle. This is the 6th volvo my immediate family has owned. We love them and "drive them until the wheels fall off." Before this 2005 xc90 my last volvo was a 1997 960. It was awesome too.

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  First Convertible - 2001 Volvo C70
  By Gentoo3 - May 16 - 2:00 am

  Beautiful car especially with top down. When it was new had lots of people asking me about it. Not a sports cars more a grand touring vehicle. nly problem was passenger front window came off track.

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  Surprise... I am faster than you think!!! - 1998 Volvo S70
  By Brian - May 15 - 1:03 pm

  I enjoyed my Volvo S70 GLT so much that I purchased another one. This time I bought the T5 and it is the same great car with a few more options and faster. No one can believe I purchased another 98 Volvo until they see my new S70 T5. The seats are the most comfortable of any car I have ever owned and the car got 28.4 MPG on a trip home which I drove 70-75 MPH. Front wheel drive for the winter and the heated seats make a great combination with a moonroof and cool A/C in the summer. The car has a distinctive look unlike many other boring new sedans.

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  A Perfect Ten - 2002 Volvo S60
  By jackpeace - May 15 - 3:26 am

  This is our second Volvo. It is the best car for the money in this segment. Our prior Volvo, the V-70, had not a single problem in the 39 months we leased it. The main reason I am penning this review is that the first review here is positively glowing. But the writer gives the car a "5." He/she surely knows his/her cars, but not his/her math. A super review means the car should get at least an eight. So read the prior review, average it with my "10," and then go get the car!