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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  great SUV! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By xc90 lover - April 3 - 2:00 am

  I just purchased my XC90 about 2 weeks ago and I couldnt be happier. The ride is smooth and very comfortable. It was a toss up between the Acura MDX or the XC90 and what was the desiding factor was the feel of the road while I was driving. I could manuver my volvo very easily.

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  dashboard illumination sucks - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By bobelsner - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Electronic dashboard controls are often impossible to read in bright daytime. The idiot who designed this must drive at night only, or else only drives on dark, cloudy days. This is a major flaw that Volvo should correct (on new and existing models), because it would prevent me from purchasing another Volvo XC-90.

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  better than MDX - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By charles c lee - April 3 - 2:00 am

  My final choices were XC90 Vs. Acura MDX after my wife and I drove Cadillac SRX,Lexus Rx330 and Gx470 and Lincoln Aviator.We then spent 3 months debating over them including multiple side by side comparison test drives. Volvo finally won out because of more European sports sedan flavor(MDX drives too much like my brothers Honda Odessy). Since I live in high altitude (Colorado),MDXs HP and tourq advantage disappears, and felt sluggish. In fact, once turbo kicks in, this car really moves like a sports car. In normal driving, 2.5T is not underpowered at all.This is actually fun car to drive which is very unusual for a 7 seat SUV.

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  confortable classy auto - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By CMcPike - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Drives more like a car than other SUV models. Handles very well. Confortable on long trips.

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  Quality, Safety, and A Whole Lot of Fun! - 2001 Volvo V40
  By volvolover - April 2 - 10:00 am

  We purchased this Volvo because we needed something with a little hauling room, but wanted something that would protect us in case of an accident. Face it, you dont get any safer than Volvo! The V40 is a great deal -- 90% of the length of the V70 but about 60% of the price. So we knew wed get safety, but what about reliability, comfort and that fun factor? Were thrilled to say we found them all in our V40. Its so solid, you feel like youre in a Volvo as opposed to some mid-range car, its sporty with really great pickup (thanks to the turbo), and the seats are the most comfortable Ive ever encountered in a car. After 14 months, we couldnt be happier.

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  no problems - 2000 Volvo V40
  By Pamela - April 2 - 10:00 am

  Ive had a 2000 V40 since 10/99, and havent experienced any of the problems described by an earlier reviewer. In fact, the cars excellent handling and brakes have already saved my life a few times. This is our familys seventh Volvo in about 30 years; each has lasted at least ten years. We just sold our still-running 84 240.

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  Best first car. - 2000 Volvo S80
  By BLKBLT1991 - April 1 - 8:03 pm

  I bought my s80 for $2000.00 and its been a been a better car than the cars that my friends bought for over $8000. I love the car. Its a little bit expensive but its soo durable. I dont know why people think its so crappy. It can destroy audis and mercedes. My father a certified auto mechanic and car body specialist and helps me maintain the car. Its performance is amazing if you know how to drive.

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  Another Success From Volvo - 2006 Volvo S40
  By VolvoNut - March 31 - 6:13 pm

  This is an outstanding car. Having owned four Volvos prior to this one (144, 164, 245, P1800), I have to say that the S40 (T5, AWD, 6-speed) is my favorite. The drivetrain components are solid: strong acceleration, consistent stopping power, and smooth shifting make for an enjoyable driving experience. Unlike the older turbos, this one is not subject to the same kind of shock-cooling that damaged earlier models back in the 80s. The clutch takes some getting used to. It is very light, but it grabs rather quickly. Having endured intense snow in Denver this year, the AWD came in rather handy. With DTSC, it handled beautifully.

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  So far so good - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Rudy Klein - March 29 - 10:00 am

  It is still very new but so far everything has beed fine. The Dealer has been great. So far very satisfied.

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  Love this car - 1999 Volvo S80
  By sherwoi - March 29 - 10:00 am

  One of the best vehicles I have ever owned.