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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  Not Impressed - 1998 Volvo S70
  By Not Impressed - April 16 - 10:06 am

  Give me back my Honda, after driving a Honda for 11 years I wanted something fun to drive. I made the mistake of getting the S70 turbo. I felt it had a better track record then BMW or Saab. Always a light on the dash. Major bucks to repair. Honda is the Sherman tank of cars beat it to death and it just laughs at you. My S70 should be paid off but the repairs have prevented that. Do yourself a favor stay away from this car.

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  This Volvo is excellent - 1998 Volvo V70
  By nernin - April 16 - 10:00 am

  This V70GLT is the first sold in US, March 97. I have had one problem with this car. The dealerships have seen this car only once for an ABS sensor.

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  Best Ever - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Volvo Owner - April 16 - 10:00 am

  Its the smoothest ride Ive ever experienced. Inside, it feels like a car of much bigger size. Extremely roomy. Very comfortable seats. The standard features are incredible. All this and safety, too!!!

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  enjoy the car, but.... - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By rubin - April 16 - 10:00 am

  given price of car, it has had a few minor problems with some of the more technical features (such as the devices which stop the windows from closing on a finger). air conditioning compressor needed replacement. so somewhat desastified with intitial quality...car seems pretty tempermental. dealer has been good and attentive remedying situations. service manager gave me his car to take on vacation when repair to a/c was delayed. hoping vovlo rep for longevity ends up coming to fruition

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  Fine used car - 2003 Volvo V40
  By gordon - April 16 - 9:56 am

  We purchased this in 2009 with 38,000 miles on it. Have put 2 2,000 mile trips on it and averaged 39 mpg. Around town it gets around 22 mpg. Car has plenty of zip and handles well. Both my wife and I find the seats comfortable. The lumbar support helps. A/C blows cold and have had no work other than regular maintenance done on it. Would recommend as used car.

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  Dont buy this Chinese-Owned Vehicle. - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Kris - April 14 - 8:03 pm

  Im writing this to encourage you to find other options than Volvo. [non-permissible content removed] I feel it necessary to write a review that people will read-in the 2015 section. I owned a 2010 T6 AWD AND paid for the Polestar Upgrade (+30 HP). Fact is, I really liked the seats in the car and driving it was fun, except when it broke! At 55K miles, I paid for a new wheel hub ($650), at 60K miles, a rear stab link broke off ($450), then the doozie-at 65K miles the Rear Differential AND Active On Demand Coupler went bad (over $6500) ! NO THANK YOU!!! I promptly traded my vehicle in for an American Made Chevrolet Traverse and never looked back! Volvo claims to be a Premium Brand-Not Yet, My Friends, Not Yet ! Honestly, you will LOVE this vehicle until its time to get it fixed. What I lose: Comfy Seats, Acceleration, Smaller Car Handling, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Indicators What I gain: Keep more of my $$$, On Star is way underrated for safety/security, Way more Cargo/Passenger Space, American Pride, More USB Ports, Better Chevy Customer Service What is Similar: Exact Same Safety Ratings

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  very reliable - 2004 Volvo S40
  By David - April 14 - 11:40 am

  Overall the car is pretty safe, it has already been into 3 minor accidents and one major accident. My wife was driving the vehicle on the Autobahn but there was a stau or traffic jam, well she stopped but the car hit her from the back at 90 mph, my son and wife were not harmed at all, just headaches. If it was any other car I dont think that my family would have made it. Volvo is the best, even though your not expecting an accident. Atleast you know that Volvo is built quality.

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  2005 S60R: Great "Sleeper" car - 2005 Volvo S60
  By ACowabunga - April 13 - 3:46 pm

  After owning a 2001 S60T5, I knew that the R would be a step up in performance. I wasnt disappointed in my purchase. The R has everything I enjoyed from my T5 plus more. I love the blue gauges and the ability to change the shock dampeners on the fly. I do not regret my purchase at all.

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  Volvo S-40 ASR - 2000 Volvo S40
  By Mike2000 - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I dont know where all these whiners come from,i have had no issues with my Volvo since day one.Its top of the line ASR with luxury premium winter package.People....do not abuse your cars and it will last without problems.Change oil,do not accelerate heavy on the first 20000 miles.Let it breake-in.Do not assume if it is import luxury you can abuse.Like i have said i had no issues whatsoever.Great handling on the snow with heated seats and DSA.you dont pay a BMW price either and its front wheel drive

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  Emissions Frustration-S80 T-6 - 2000 Volvo S80
  By WoodyTBuckeye - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Bought vehicle with 27k-extended warranty. Approx 53k miles, started having emissions messages ie "system urgent" and hazard light and the engine went into a "idle" mode. Replaced throttle control mechanism, software upgrade,and other related emission parts. After spending close to $900 on the throttle, 3 days later, replaced 1 of the 2 back O2 sensors.($363) One week later, the other back O2 went- $256. I understand under the new warranty, this is a covered item. I am probably getting rid of the car though I love driving it. Total spent=$2k. I will probably buy a new one but will read the fine print on the warranty. PW