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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  Bad reliabitlity had to get rid ,very disappointed - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By klosterfrau1 - August 19 - 2:25 pm

  I was lucky to get this car to 125k almost every month I had it in the shop for all kinds of problems from shocks to spark plug and coils replaced. brakes squeaking and replaced that didn’t fix the problem and the rotors were replaced and still didn’t fix the problem. The transmission gave out and had to be replaced, a piston gave out it was replaced, dashboard lights out , brake lights were out and the mechanic could not find the short so the wiring was replaced but the dash warning came on every time you step on the brakes. It leaks! The gas tank was leaking, then coolant started leaking and then wiper washer fluid started to leak as well. Tsc gave out, electric system warning came on.

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  2000 Review Volvo S40 - 2000 Volvo S40
  By Frank - August 19 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car new in 2000, it has 153,000 miles, serviced every 3,000 miles: Since then replaced (besides normal service items i.e. timing belt, filters, etc.): Front struts Brakes 5 times Front rotors Motor mount Cataylic converter ($1,000) Ignition part Fuel Pressure regulator Turbo seal Car has lousy paint. And, it is important to ensure you have a good 4 wheel alignment for tire life. I guess so long as my repair bills do not exceed new car payments, Ill keep driving it.

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  Awesome first car!!! - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Steven - August 18 - 5:23 pm

  This is my very first car. I got it with all options icluding navigation. It is a very quick car and fun to drive. I got black on black and I think it is the best combination and I get looks from young and older people. The upgraded sound system is better than my moms mercedes upgraded sound system and it makes a lot of bass. Im glad I chose this over the bmw 3- series, the Acura TSX, and lexus is300. I would also reccomend the trip to Sweden to test our your car and see the whole process involved in making a volvo. It was very fun and interesting.

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  Happy - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Samantha Schmoeger - August 17 - 4:50 am

  Im very pleased with the S40. Fun to drive. Comfortable, simple and spacious. Its very sporty and suave.

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  Great riding SUV - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By wricke - August 17 - 3:23 am

  This SUV rides like a sedan. The Yamaha V8 gives it plenty of power. I cant say enough good things about it. The roomy interior has a clean, elegant look to it and the stereo is excellent and powerful. Considering the projected resale value (best in class) You should not hesitate to buy one.

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  Do NOT BUY 2016 XC90 - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Heather Manuel - August 16 - 1:15 am

  We purchased our new (8 miles on the odometer) 2016 XC90 on June 30, 2016 and today is October 14th (1249 on the odometer) and the car has been in the shop a combined 31 days for 5 separate repairs. Thankfully, the car is under warranty but the hassle and the lack of confidence that this vehicle will keep our family safe is zero. --Weve had starting issues, navigation issues, issues with the transmission slipping and the latest incident where only the drivers door would unlock, meaning no one could get in or out of the vehicle unless we crawled through the drivers door. THAT IS NOT SAFE and since the dealership cannot guarantee it wont happen again, we are continuing to drive a loaner vehicle until they can figure out the issue. It is a gorgeous car and when it runs, it is so much fun to drive BUT Im now wishing I would have purchased the Audi or Land Rover. Save yourself the hassle and wait until they get the kinks out of this car.

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  Be happy!!! - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By HappyMD - August 15 - 2:00 am

  My XC90 was the first delivered by my dealer and while people no longer stop me to ask me questions I still catch their admiring stares. Better than that it the comfort and performance. Drove through a snow storm on the PA turnpike to Pittsburg and it was like there wasnt any snow at all. It was awesome and I had to keep reminding myself to slow down even though I didnt feel like it was necessary. The seats are more comfortable than my S500 and I love it. Good solid power at all speeds and commanding braking inspire.

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  Couldnt be happier - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Troy W. - August 15 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the XC90 for over a month now and I couldnt be happier. We test drove the X5 and the MDX but in the end Volvos legendary safety features won out.

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  XC90 2.5 T AWD - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Perc1010 - August 15 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my XC90 for a year now and Ive enjoyed every drive. My mother has a Mercedes ML320 that I drove before I got my Volvo. I cant stand driving her car anymore. The XC90 has such a smooth comfortable ride compared to the Mercedes. I think it looks really amazing for an SUV. I have no complaints so far except that theres no way to do any after market work on the car such as installing a remote starter or a sound system. Id reccomend this for anyone looking into the SUV market.

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  Great Car With Slight Problems - 2002 Volvo S60
  By JK - August 14 - 2:43 pm

  I purchased a certified used S60 from the dealer and have enjoyed the car from the beginning. It is slightly under powered but pick up is adequate and gas mileage is excellent- averaging 28 mpg to date. Interior is nice with the exception of the cheap plastic door handles. They squeak when your knee even brushes up against them. Stereo is great- especially with the controls on the steering wheel. My only real problem so far is with the bulbs on the car. Ive had to replace two rear bulbs and to front lamps in 6 months. I had the daytime running lights turned off and hopefully that will help. With the warranty though, I havent paid a dime.