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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  Volvo 850R best auto ever made - 1996 Volvo 850
  By casperjim - February 19 - 10:10 am

  It is the best car that I have ever owned. No complaints. I now have 150,000, bought the car when it had 104,000.

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  Dependable car - 1998 Volvo S70
  By Dianne Wittman - February 18 - 12:06 am

  As long as the car is maintained properly, it will give excellent performance and give a comfortable ride.The car is heavy and holds the road well. From the standpoint of safety, the car is heavy and the occupants can feel confident of escaping serious injury should the car be hit.

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  Looking for excuses to drive S-60 - 2002 Volvo S60
  By whitney - February 17 - 10:00 am

  This is truely an enjoyable driving experience. I considered the BMW, Acura and Infinity and went with the Volvo. The exterior design sold me. I have no regrets. The lease on this car was outstanding (0 interest). It is cheaper to lease and then buy at the end of the lease term.

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  love this car - 2004 Volvo S60
  By spike4u2u@yahoo.com - February 15 - 10:00 am

  The volvo S60 R is a wonderful car that does everything that it says it does. I did ALOT of reviewning and car comparing, The Volvo always was a top contender. Just as soon as i hit the road and started cornering and giving it gas I knew I had to get it, which I did and very happy I did.

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  All I ever asked for! - 2001 Volvo S40
  By MY S40 - February 15 - 10:00 am

  My S40 is exactly what I wqas looking for...no problems thus far, EXCEPT the trunk light went out...no biggie. The car has great handling and acceleration

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  love the xc70 - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By drbones - February 15 - 10:00 am

  a reliable safe wagon. great for new england winters. awd but good mileage too

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  So far so good - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By rboilard - February 15 - 10:00 am

  So far Im really enjoying the T6. Very tight and handles well. My only beef is that the fuel tank is to small (19 Gal) @ 15 MPG it seems that Im at the station every few days. Also the braking could be better, bigger discs?? Not a big fan on the sound system as well.

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  volvo dependibility for the small wagon - 2005 Volvo V50
  By rob rix - February 12 - 11:36 am

  Sharp looking. good value. easy handling.

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  hot - 2004 Volvo S60
  By the legend - February 12 - 4:16 am

  The ride is smooth, fast, and powerful or the highway. No match in its class. Not bad for local driving, either, as you can stay in 3rd most of the time to minimize shifting. Cant think of much to improve on, except turning radius. Performance seems to improve as mileage increases, or is it me?

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  Great Machine - 2007 Volvo S80
  By jett - February 11 - 5:33 pm

  The S80 Volvo is a great car. Although I have only had it for two weeks, bought it used, it runs perfectly fine. The ride is smooth and the response of the different modes (comfort, sport, advance) are great. The seat are extremely comfortable, the gas is great for this size vehicle and the ride is ice smooth. I receive compliments every where I go. Some say it looks like a Benz. Its sporty yet elegant at the same time. Great Job Volvo!