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! - 2002 Volvo V40
  By mel_e - February 20 - 12:26 am

  My car has 114K miles and still runs great. It definately burns through headlights as other reviewers have noted. I had some electrical? issues a short time ago, my mechanic thought there may have been a recall but the volvo mechanics said not. The dealership mechanics are the problem. apparently I needed new sparkplugs and the head gaskets cleaned. I think they just didnt want to reimburse me for the THREE sensors that needed to be replaced within one month of each other, if its an electrical issue theyre supposed to refund your money. Regardless, I love my V40. Also, when i got it i got 32 mpg. after disconnecting the computer, it now gets 26+ but i drive more in town now so...

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  Great car for a Salesman. - 2006 Volvo XC70
  By hycappy - February 19 - 9:06 am

  Outstanding road car. I drive to Maine all the time on business and it is a pleasure to drive. Im 64" and 260 lbs. Whoever designed to front seating did a great job. Great HVAC, reasonable gas mileage, fast, good in winter driving conditions. Just drove to Nova Scotia. 2200 miles. Car runs like a dream. My money well spent.

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  I expected more reliability for $45K - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Dan - February 16 - 10:23 am

  Within 1 month of purchase I returned from a week long business trip and was stranded at the airport (PA in January) as my new XC90 would not start. Actually I had to use my key (in the door) to open the vehicle as my brand new $45K XC90s battery was dead. Dead enough that the remote opener would even work. The dealer (Large Volvo dealer in Wilkes-Barre) attempted to repair the problem 3 times without success. When this occurred the fourth time I began looking into the Lemon Law. So that is where I am at today. I have a $45K SUV that I do like driving, as long as I dont park it for more than 5 days, because then I cant drive it without a jump start. Today my drivers power seat did not work

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  XC70 v XC90 - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By IrishSwede - February 16 - 7:00 am

  I traded my 2000 XC70 with nearly 200K miles for this 2005 2.5T AWD XC90 and love it. The ride isnt quite as nice but my XC70 wouldnt tow my ski boat while this vehicle has no problems with it. Ive put nearly 15K miles on it since I bought it in 7/07. The mileage also isnt as good as the XC70 (26mpg hwy v 22 mpg) but I can live with it. So far my only complaint is the radio: the digital readout screen failed. The radio still works fine yet Volvo says that the only way to fix it is to replace the entire radio. I understand the problem is fairly common with this model and Volvo ought to develop a recall option. Overall great safe car!!

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  Its good - 2005 Volvo V50
  By dennisoco - February 16 - 12:59 am

  I always read reviews befour I buy a vehicle except I bought this drove it for 9 years then read the reviews to see what people are complaining about.You will never get used to the complicated heating defroster buttons and lights and so forth,Should have kept it simple.But it is a realy good car.But to be real hnest the only real problem after 185 thousand K.M. is the or was the release for the open the tailgate,The repair only worked til warrenty ran out so I paid a mechanic to put in an actual hardwire with pushbutton to open the hatch.Cant trust the electronic key fob to open it and what good is a station wagan if the tailgate dont open.New axles are 700$ or 115$ shop around.cross border

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  Great value for money - 2007 Volvo S80
  By birdman - February 15 - 2:26 pm

  Ive now driven almost 7000 miles with my S80 V8. No mechanical or other problems. Sound of the V8 is great, very civil background roar without getting obnoxious. Mileage isnt so bad, with average driving (city and commute), I get 24mpg highway and 18mpg real average. Dont agree the body styling is boring. The old S80 was pretty boring but the 2007 & up model has a nice refined look, to my taste.

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  Great interior/drive, spotty reliability - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Robert - February 15 - 12:00 am

  I bought this car in July of 08 with 74K miles on it and was given a 3 month warranty from the dealer. I noticed the transmission slipping noticeably almost immediately and took it in to the dealer, as Ive read these cars have transmission problems. It was covered by the warranty and replaced for free. Ive also had the front brake pads and rotors replaced and the cruise control works sporadically. The interior is stylish and extremely comfortable, and the drive is great. Plenty of power. I would tell anyone in the market for a 2000 and later S80 to be careful when looking. Make sure the car is in good shape. If its been treated well, there shouldnt be too many problems.

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  VOLVO FOR LIFE - 2001 Volvo S60
  By NICSTA - February 14 - 10:00 am

  NO WONDER MOST PEOPLE WHO BUY A VOLVO END UP BUYING A FEW MORE IN THEIR LIFETIME. MY S60 HAS BEEN A PLEASURE TO DRIVE OVERALL. IVE GONE THROUGH TWO WINTERS AND SEVERAL LONG TRIPS AND THE S60 IS AN ETREMELY NICE PLACE TO BE IN ON A LONG DRIVE...BEST SEATS IN THE WORLD!

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  EX - Benz - P11 Turbo - Man Finds Volvo - 2004 Volvo C70
  By atlantadining - February 14 - 10:00 am

  I just like this car - I just turned 50 and did not need the insanity the porshe brings out in me. I can rationalize this cara - not have to hide it from clients - and the police are not ready to pounce on me -

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  Great looking car just not reliable - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Thomas - February 12 - 10:20 pm

  I leased my 2016 xc90 in May and it has been in the shop 5 times!!!! First it needed a software update, then the engine light just came on, then I needed 4 spark plugs replaced etc!!!!! Its a great looking car, but too many glitches. No warning when you are low on gas, Nav takes forever to load up, air condition is so loud its like your flying in an airplane. Those "great seats" are wearing down already.