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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  Black Beauty - 2001 Volvo S80
  By the g is silent - September 13 - 2:00 am

  The S80 is a great car (especially in black), but is too much to maintain. The engine power seems underated because this car can really move even without the turbo. Interior is pleasing and ergonomic. Brakes stop on a dime. The premium wheels dent to easily, and accelerating around turns can cause front wheels to hop. Sensors short out in flashfloods, and warranty will not cover! Loved the car, but I am glad the lease is up.

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  Nice little car - 2001 Volvo S40
  By Manimal - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I really like the S40. My mom got it last summer but then gave me the car and traded my jeep for a BMW. Its got a great engine that will pull into the triple digits with relative ease. It rides really smoothly at any speed. My only complaints- the stereo can get muddy when at absolute max volume, the cupholder sucks, and the leather wears down and stains too easily.

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  We gave it back - 2004 Volvo C70
  By duner - September 6 - 2:00 am

  purchased Nov, 03. 500 miles, power steering failed. 1800 miles, new Rack installed in Car. transmission began clunking between 10 and 20 mph . Volvo N. America looked at the car. Agreed to everything during the proof drive then denied it after they got off the phone with Volvo legal, per a Friend at the dealer. C70 platform is CRAP. Tranny by Mitsubishi per Volvo, tolerance issues at transaxles and hubs, known to Volvo. END: Volvo Corporate told me "too Bad" and "well see you in court" if I didnt like it. its sounds weird? it Was! dont buy any C70 or Volvo , car flagged 2 weeks prior with a steering problem Volvo sold it anyway

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  2002 Volvo S40 - 2002 Volvo S40
  By SammieGrl - September 5 - 10:00 am

  I picked up my S40 last week and so far, so good. The only complaints I have are only so/so gas mileage (compared to my previous car, anyway), the box on the center console is about 1/4 inch too small to put CD cases into and the radio reception is not great (my car came with the upgraded stereo with CD).

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  So Far So Good - 2006 Volvo S40
  By Klappez15 - September 4 - 2:33 pm

  I have had my s40 for a month now, but I have to agree with a reveiw above, everytime I drive it I have a huge smile on my face. It looks good, drives nice, and for the price has just about every feature I could want. I love the sound system, the comfort level, and the way the car looks. My first Volvo but probably not my last.

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  Stranded - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By scatback - September 3 - 7:13 am

  At 33k, the car overheated and stranded us. Picked it up from the dealer after two days, happened again. Twice on the hook in a week. That follows 3 days in the shop for a steering angle sensor, and another day for a headlight. The 4.4 is great, the ride is quiet, the interior is designed for adults. But weve driven 800,000 miles in Acuras and Infinities and never been left on the side of the road. Its happened twice in our low mileage XC90 in a week. Plus, no rearward vision and primitive electronics. Were going back to MDX

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  One swede car! - 2001 Volvo S60
  By ddh716 - September 1 - 10:00 am

  I was drawn to this car by its sexy styling. The car drives well- predictable, quiet, comfortable, excellent acceleration except from a dead stop. Handling favors comfort over sport. The S60 is thoughtfully designed. For example, the sunroof can be opened or closed with one touch. And theres a position that eliminates boominess common with the roof open and windows shut. Why dont other car makers think like this? Overall, quality is excellent. Gaps are straight and the paint looks 6 inches deep. And the interior is flawless. But there are little rattles.

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  The Invisible Wagon - 2000 Volvo V70
  By chauffeur dad - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Kidproof, great seats, and it swallows up the miles. Huge amount of glass makes defensive driving easy. Cops ignore it. You can speed with abandon!

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  Safe AND Sorry - 1998 Volvo V70
  By dbw - August 30 - 10:00 am

  We replaced our first used Volvo, an 850 Wagon, with this newer(and better?) model only to find that it is an over- engineered tempermental computer with 4WD. Its performance is very good. I love being able to accelerate rapidly from 70 mph around a semi with no problem, and wet/snow performance is great. BUT...I am constantly starring at that @#*& check engine light. It can illuminate for anything from not replacing the gas cap securely, to an emission control sensor, wire, computer, to who knows what. Cruise control failed after one year and minimal use, and it took 3 trips to dealer to get it fixed. Once the warranty expires, watch out!

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  Best Family Wagon - 2002 Volvo V70
  By Dave801 - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Weve had the non turbo automatic version for 1.5 years. Its a very smooth touring car, I think its the best wagon available at a near reasonable price. Quite comfortable although the seats are only OK, those in my other 3 European cars all fit me better (tall/slim). Overall its been an excellent reliable car with just a few minor design issues.