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 but not perfect - 2004 Volvo S60
  By ChampaignBlue - September 3 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. Awesome value. Great blend of a high performance sedan and family truckster. Get the manual tranny. The car is awesome in the snow but do get some snow tires. This car will run with Audi/BMW/MB for less $. I love the variable suspension. Unlike an M3, it wont shake your teeth loose in daily commuting. I love the subtle exterior styling. I have had problems with brake squeal and have already had new brake pads (free). I have scuffed 3/4 of the rims at drive throughs. The radio is a bit too complex to operate. The clutch is a bit springy and engages a bit too high. It took a few weeks before I got used to the clutch.

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  S60 is awesome - 2002 Volvo S60
  By jmalexander - August 29 - 7:00 am

  Great vehicle; extremely comfortable and very reliable. Interior has everything needed except a back seat...very small. Firm ride and excellent road feel.

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  Is it possible to be in LOVE with a car? - 2006 Volvo S40
  By JDLasVegas - August 25 - 10:46 pm

  This is my first Volvo. I was considering BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar, even Lexus. Value for dollar, and the fact that the Volvo IS the safest vehicle on the road (I did my homework), it was a clear choice: Volvo. I am in love with this car! The dealership here in Las Vegas treats me like a king. Ive never had such a wonderful car buying experience.

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  Volvo got it right! - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By george167 - August 25 - 9:39 pm

  My 4th volvo. This is the best yet. The R-design interior/exterior trim accentuate the beauty of this vehicle. The 20" wheels are a surprise in handling and comfort. City safety, climate, nav, media, tech, and bliss packages w/satelite radio and remote keyless entry... all contribute to an excellent driving experience. 6 mos. /10,000+ miles to date and expect over 200k like my others. Volvo has come of age with this model. Solid, beautiful (R-design a must) and full of amenities. I can go on and on. Perfect SoCal freeway vehicle (with surf racks for the beach), especialy with adaptive cruise control, blind spot info system and collision warning. Only superlatives.

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  R U happy? You bet! - 2004 Volvo S60
  By zooommaan - August 24 - 5:30 am

  People have definitely hit on the high and low points. This car is Fast and Furious. It goes like a bat out of hell, stops on a dime and handles like a racehorse. It does all this in comfort and safety and looks good to boot! The stereo is awesome, it is always a pleasure to take this car out. However, I always feel like this car would rather be on an autobahn than tooling around town. I am watching the mileage dropping (on the trip computer) daily. It is not a great car to drive slowly, thats the bottom line.

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  Nicest of the 12 cars Ive owned - 1999 Volvo V70
  By slvrspcshp - August 22 - 1:15 pm

  My previous car was a 1988 740 GLE. I put 365,000 miles on that, sold it for 700.00, and it is STILL someones daily driver. The V70 has 186,000 on it, and Ive been driving it for 4 years. In that time the only thing Ive had to do that wouldnt be considered REGULAR USED CAR UPKEEP is have the throttle body assembly replaced (fully under warranty). Ive replaced the plugs, changed the oil regularly, replaced one tie rod, had the brakes done once and fixed one of the fog lights.(NYC driver POTHOLES) I also bought a kit for 13 bucks to secure the inside panel of the tailgate. I love this car, and plan on getting a 2006/2007 model in a couple years, prob my last before having to go electric

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  My Super Sexy Hottie C70 - 2004 Volvo C70
  By supersexyc70 - August 21 - 7:10 pm

  What can I possibly say about my "C70~Gal"; we met at the Volvo Factory Gothenburg... I was in Europe on business. But, prior to going their i was at the La Car Show were I saw this model on display. Their I said I have to have one; the sales gal who was from Sweden invited me to the factory. Once at the factory I got the grand tour and told them I was going to be in Europe on business from a few months. So, I purchased the car drove it all over Europe, and into Africa. A week before leaving back to Calif., the factory took care of the smog and between us we added a whole bunch of options that you would have not gotten here in the USA. To this day I am still in a State of total Aw! TY Volvo

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  My New 2004 V40 - 2004 Volvo V40
  By thefreebergs - August 21 - 10:00 am

  I bought my new V40 and had is specially built for me. These cars are not even available in the states yet. Absolutely fabulous automobile. Highly recommended!

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  s40 VOLVO with premium package - 2004 Volvo S40
  By zoombaby - August 21 - 10:00 am

  The 2004 S40 has good steering capabilities and holds to the road well. It isnt a S60 but for the size of the vehicle it performs just as well as the small BMW and better than the bottom line Mercedes. Free roadside assistance and maintenance for 4 years and the manner in which one is treated at the dealerships service dept. are an added plus.

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  a very underrated car but a true beauty - 2004 Volvo S80
  By cherryl - August 21 - 10:00 am

  Amazing car and the most comfortable car I have been. The seats are designed by Swedish massage therapists. Amazingly fast!!!!!