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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  safety with style - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By aimee - January 31 - 2:00 am

  I anxiously awaited the release of theis car to the market and its arrival has exceeded my expectations. Living in the Northeast, your faced with fluctuating road conditions, be it due to weather or just the type of road. This car performs great all around. No SUV or any automobile for that matter can stop on a sheet of ice, so with the Volvo, you can be assured you are safe should you get into trouble. The interior is comfortable, and I think on the outside, is the best looking SUV on the road. Lastly, the Volvo XC90 is very spacious and has an optional third seat that and adult will not be cramped in. It is a fantastic car!

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  My First Volvo Wagon - 2005 Volvo V70
  By Kyang - January 30 - 4:30 am

  My Volvo V70 2.5T was delivered with two weatherstrips deformed and a noisy V- belt. They all gor fixed under warranty. The engine vibration is felt at idle and under accelaration. I think it is common for 5 cylinder engine (the Audi 5000 has the similar vibration). Once the engine is at cruising speed (~2000 rpm), it is quiet. The dealer service is excellence. It probably will be expensive after the warranty expires. The only anoying thing is the idle time before shut down the engine after a long drive (to prolong the turbo chargers life).

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  2010 S80, trying another Volvo - 2010 Volvo S80
  By Jon - January 27 - 10:40 pm

  I have about 4500 on my black Volvo S80. This is my second Volvo, I traded in a 03 S60 on this one. So far so good. Much improved over the S60 in terms of build quality, and materials. Only complaints are the engine noise at cruising speeds, seems intrusive for a car that costs this much. I drove Audi, Volkswagen, and Lexus and and went with Volvo for the price. I am happy with the choice.

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  almost perfect - 2005 Volvo S60
  By sedanfreak - January 24 - 5:13 am

  This one is in the top 3 of my all time favorites. Cool design interior and exterior. Good power and braking. Nit picks - huge turn radius, back seat leg room, interior noise higher than other german sedans Ive had (merc & BMW), hard tires and weak beverage holder.

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  Volvo Great Car - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By Joe - January 20 - 6:10 pm

  Volvo makes the worlds safest cars. They are very fun and easy to drive. Best SUV I ever had

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  My Volvo S60. The only way to travel. - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Jeff and Ruthann Az - January 20 - 10:00 am

  The moment I and my wife saw this car we were curious. The worst thing to happen next was we took it out for a test drive and fell in love. We love the quiet ride, the spacious interior, the distinctive smooth exterior, and quick response and speed. With the 2004 Volvo S60 you can’t go wrong.

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  Very intelligent choice - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By san - January 20 - 10:00 am

  Excellent car at many, many point of vue. Versatile, very comfortable, excellent package (Sport for 2004), spacious, very good looking...

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  Skip the Tech Package - 2012 Volvo XC60
  By mms34cougar - January 19 - 4:48 pm

  I love this car! It is fast (even with 87 octane gas), my back has never felt better (the seats are firmer than non R-Design seats), the premium sound is great, and with the Red R-Design we get compliments on the looks at least once a week. The tech package is amazing when it is not broken. We have had it in the shop 4x with a complete replacement & sensors that stop working. Also, if you travel in snowy climates the parking distance, blind spot, collision & adaptive cruise can stop working due to ice build-up on your grill, bumper, and side window cameras. We get combined City (30%) /Hwy (70%) Mileage of 21.7 over the past 6 months.

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  XC90 After Chrismas Volvo - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Harry - January 18 - 10:00 am

  I purchased the XC90 December 26, 2004 at the same time gas prices hit $2 a gallon in Las Vegas. My Ford got 13 MPG and I saw the cost only going up. I returned from Phoenix today (9/12/10) and averaged 23.7 MPG with the 2.5 T FWD. It has been a trouble free purchase with the original Michelin tires still on the vichele.

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  No Regrets! - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By ayang90 - January 18 - 10:00 am

  It was between the Audi Q5 and XC60 and I went for the XC60. Have about 3500 mi. on the car and I have no regrets with my decision. Its fun to drive and I havent had any problems so far. Fits three kids comfortably in the back with the integrated booster and serves as an adequate backup family hauler when not using our mini-van.