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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  Very Nice Car - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Bruce W. - August 28 - 10:00 am

  I have driven my 2004 s60 2.5T for just over a month and I really like this car. I have not had any problems with the S60 and I am very happy with the soild fell I get while driving the car. I traded a 1998 S70 and it did ride as smoothly , nor did it have as much power and firm handling. I only have a 1 year old who rides in the back in a car seat, so the lack of rear leg room wont be a problem for years to come.

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  A Mitsubishi at Heart - 2000 Volvo S40
  By yankees481 - August 28 - 10:00 am

  The car is just unacceptably unreliable, possibly cause its not a true volvo. It performs well enough, with a zippy turbo engine, but the brakes, tires, engine all have been problematic. Nothing lasts as long as it should. The power steering failed on me. Right now im looking at having serious engine repairs. Its leaking oil. Its just unacceptable. stay away from this car, especially at this price.

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  My Wifes Car - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By gru - August 28 - 10:00 am

  We ordered our 2004 in March and waited. Picked it up July 3rd - after waiting 4 hours at the dealership due to a screwup with the off-site DVD Installer. Strike 1. Two trips to the dealer later - they finally got the DVD installed correctly. Strike 2 & 3 for the Dealer. Center console looks real cheap they are probably making $6000- 8000 per vehicle - you think they could put something half-way decent as the center console. And what is with the Austin Powers symbol on the steering wheel - I chuckle everytime I look at it!

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  No not again!! - 1998 Volvo S70
  By Shelley C. - August 26 - 4:33 pm

  Everytime I have turned around in the last few years this car has needed something and it is always expensive. The joy of owning the car is constantly diminished by its time either in the shop or with something expensive wrong with it. No wait - everything is expensive from little lights to big lights. Surprisingly low quality leather means that a car that is 8 years old has tacky tearing on its seats. I cant wait to get rid of this thing. There are things I love about it, but usually I just regret the purchase.

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  Awsome Crossover Kudos Volvo - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Alex - August 26 - 12:40 am

  I purchased this XC 60 to replace a gas hog truck. It has been awsome to drive, I am really impressed with the craftsmanship by Volvo.

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  Good Volvo Starter Car - 2009 Volvo S40
  By Lee - August 25 - 4:23 pm

  I bought this car after recommendations from friends. I previously owned a Passat. My Passat got 37 MPG (Diesel). My Volvo gets 24+/- (Gasoline). The S40 is very comfortable to sit in and I have a bad back. Im not too thrilled about some of the plastic trim in the interior but overall I like the European attention to detail. Theres not a lot of room in the back seat for adult kids but for little ones, its ok. I like all of the gadgets that come with the purchase price and theres not a lot of options to add on. My Passat lasted 13 years and I fully expect the Volvo to do the same. The dealership is very responsive and attentive. A good car for the money.

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  Great Car - 2005 Volvo S60
  By TH - August 25 - 11:16 am

  I went from an SUV (Lexus RX300) to this car, and Ive really enjoyed it. It drives very smooth, has good pick- up and great interior features. I got the navigation system, which I absolutely love- very easy to use, and I highly recommend it. The upgraded sound system has great sound as well. Its a great looking car. The worst part is the horrific turning radius, but you get used to it.

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  A blast to drive! - 2009 Volvo C70
  By Ken - August 24 - 2:33 am

  Smooth handling and head-turning style go hand-in-hand in my 2009 Volvo C70. On a recent trip to Southern California, the C70 averaged 32.6 mpg. The car has plenty of low end acceleration and if one is not careful, it can creep up to 75-80 (or faster) mph very quickly. Interior styling, while conservative, is ergonomically sound. When the metal top is lowered, people stand and stare as the jigsaw puzzle neatly tucks into the trunk. For a convertible, the C70 does not disappoint in adequate trunk space. I carted two full sized reptile tanks and two pieces of luggage with no difficulty. Compared to an Audi A4 or BMW 3 series (both more expensive), the C70 holds its own very nicely!

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  love my S60 - 2005 Volvo S60
  By lovemynewcar - August 20 - 2:43 pm

  Overall, I love my new car. Although, I had a tire blowout before I had it a week. A truck through something up and punctured a tire. The roadside assistance was wonderful. They sent someone to change the tire and I was back on the road in about 50 min.

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  best ever - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By volvolove - August 19 - 5:37 pm

  Having abandoned leasing I had done for many years and retiring, I decided to buy. Having looked at the Audi, BMW, and Volvo reviews for a fast SUV, I tried and then bought a Xc60. It is the best car I have driven in 54 years. Second was an Audi S4 I had many years ago. The Volvo handles almost as well-the Audi was shorter and and lower, a sports car in disguise. But the Volvo handles so well in much greater comfort (Is this a function of age?), and elegance and relative silence that I cannot imagine a better bargain. It comes near enough to the Audi in turning corners that I was amazed, given its weight and height. The interior defines simple elegance. Perfect for over 40s.