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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  4 months and 5k miles - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By David Reichow - April 6 - 2:00 am

  I bought the XC90 for its safety and I am generally very satisfied with the vehicle after 5k miles.

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  Happy, so far - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By kpsailor - April 5 - 11:00 am

  I bought this Volvo as a family car (2nd owner, had 57,000 miles), and to add a bit of utility to my garage; so far, so good. It is a comfy car, which makes rather good MPG, considering the size, and has been reliable. It is less rugged as the images may show, but that is not the point anyway. It accomplishes what it sets out to be, a comfortable wagon with more utility than most.

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  Sweet car, poor reliability - 2002 Volvo S60
  By MODandANGRY - March 30 - 2:16 pm

  By far, one of my favorite cars EVER!!! Too bad its always in the shop. I now only have 57K, and the Central Control Module has crapped out twice. Ive also had to replace the clutch master cylinder which wasnt covered under warranty for $800. So far, these two are the only serious problems, but other little electrical things occur. The power window switches wont work, the radio randomly turns on and off, any number of light bulbs are constantly burning out, and the headliner vibrates which can be VERY irritating at times. I would recomend the 5sp. Besides the master cylinder no other problems, unlike the auto. Problems aside, this is an EXTREMELY fun and comfortable car to drive.

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  Not happy with my XC90s we have 2!! - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By spottvmom - March 27 - 3:56 pm

  Ive had this car for almost 6 years. Its had a few minor annoying problems that were mostly covered under the warrenty until it hit 80K The warrenty is now up and its been a royal pain. I have an AWD 6 cyl. turbo that has 90,000 miles on it. This is my 2nd Volvo and we currently own 2 XC90s so we have double the pain.... Issues have been the anti skid sensor- $700 plus to fix, burns through tires in about 30k miles with easy, gentle driving. New issue is my wheel bearings are shot. My husband has a 2005 what we just spent about $3,000 on new tie rods, new bearings, new e-brake, new oil pump, leaking in oil system and after all that his check engine light is on again!

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  s 40 - 2001 Volvo S40
  By dave n - March 26 - 2:26 pm

  leased in nov 2000, great lease deal. 22,500 miles so far dealer replaced rear brake pads and head light under warranty very pleased with dealer service already told my salesman im interested in an S60 turbo

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  Safety, Reliability, and Quality - V70 2WD - 2000 Volvo V70
  By michivolvo - March 25 - 12:47 am

  2000 V70 Wagon. 180,000 miles. The Volvo safety features are its trademark. I never felt uneasy about my family being on the road with any Volvo weve owned. Our non-turbo is no hot-rod, so that reduces some of the parental "worry factor". Besides regular maintenance, most repairs are what one might expect - tie rod ends, brakes, the odd sensor. Theres been a surprise or two, but few. Our mechanic says, "These things go forever". It runs like a top. No leaks, no oil burning. Just a solid car, with nice appointments. The build quality is great. 12 salty Michigan winters and no rust, at all. Its no four-wheel drive, but it gets through Michigan winters, just fine.

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  VOLVO MADE ME CRY! - 1998 Volvo S70
  By TCR - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Excited during purchase, however, this Volvo was very disappointing. It was a matter of just a few weeks before the service department workers new me by name. The interior check engine line appeared every month. Numerous electrical problems: antenna motor, windshield wiper motor, blown headlights and tail lights. Great ride and fast, but the ride often took me back to the dealership.

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  GERMAN GONE SWEDE - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By NATURAL JOCK - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Weve been looking for a good-looking SUVs but without the unnecessary bulk of most major SUVs. We traded one of our cars (AUDI A4 Quattro) for this new XC70 Volvo. We also considered the Lexus R330 and Volvo XC90. We found these latter two SUVs to be too tall/high for our "rescued" South Russian Sheepdog to jump in and out of the vehicle. We chose the XC70 because he is able to recline comfortably while in the car. The XC70s safety features also made us choose it over the Lexus R330. We would have chosen the XC90 but besides the "height" situation, we also found it a little "too feminine" looking :) Although Ive seen quite a few women driving the XC70 here in the LA area.

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  Dont buy a car in its first model year - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By From NY to LA - March 21 - 10:00 am

  The XC90 had reliability issues from the start, that the dealership tried to dismiss. Of most importance, the hatch was so loose that it closed on my head! And, when I went to the ER the admitting physician said the same thing happened to his wife (same exact model- T6). When Volvo was contacted, they dismissed it. Two weeks letter, received a "campaign letter" including to fix the hatch. Recently the front seat reclined by itself on to my sons legs (who was sitting in his car seat). This happened three times. Because of these things and that its fuel economy is lousy, I wouldnt recommend the Volvo XC90 T6.

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  Best luxury car for the money - 2017 Volvo S90
  By Joe - March 18 - 11:25 am

  Volvo is having a huge comeback with the all new XC90 and S90. Both vehicles are sharply refined. Only the best materials were used for the car itself. The amount of standard technology that they offer is staggering. Other luxury companies in Volvos class like Lexus and Mercedes-Benz nickel and dime you for everything. And Volvos fantastic lease offers, are also very appealing. Volvo has always been a known reliable brand, and also have one of the best resale values.