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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  Volvo V50 AWD 2008 - 2008 Volvo V50
  By James - September 20 - 6:13 pm

  I wanted a hatchback with AWD but the choices were limited. This was a good alternative and I am not disappointed. This car is well built, fun to drive, and not an SUV. The handling is better than expected. The only thing lacking is better MPG.

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  Love the car...some concerns - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Rambis - September 20 - 2:00 am

  Bought still under warranty. Replaced MANY sensors. MANY new software downloads seemed to fix most of the electronic problems. MAJOR oil leak under the engine. Replaced drivers side window. Motor broke and window cracked inside the door. Replaced throttle assembly. When all is well this car is AWESOME! FAST! Great accelleration! Im 66" and this car has tons of room. More room than an LHS! Very comfortable car. Love the style in and out. Very solid car. Feel extremely safe. Terrible sounds syst. Might trade. Not confident with THIS car. Looking at a 1996 Lexus LS 400. Ill buy again but when 01 or 02 come down in price.

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  Great car, but.... - 2002 Volvo S60
  By Silver Streak - September 20 - 2:00 am

  I looked at a few different cars and finally settled on deciding between the BMW 325 and Volvo S60 2.4T. I really think you get more for your money with the Volvo. Its a great car. Ive had mine for 2 months and have been very happy with it - except for one problem. Ill be selling the car soon because of this - but I was just unlucky with the dealer and Volvo Customer Service. My bad experience is probably a fluke, so Id recommend the car. Id just take the "We Care" slogan as advertising and not something to be relied upon.

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  Wow - 2004 Volvo S60
  By R or R or R - September 18 - 10:00 am

  Ill start by saying I agree with ther majority of reviews to date. This car is really close to perfection. Sure, I can make comment about "this little thing or that" but the bottom line is this is one fine car. The mors you drive it the better it gets ! Bought a 2004 Cross Country for my wife, fell ni love with Volvo for 1000 good reasons and went back and got a new 2004 S60R. What a 3D ride. Its what you want you want it to be 24X7 and does a great job. Power, style, ride, performance, etc, etc. Do yourself a favor check one out for an hour or two - you will not want to give it back. AMG, M3, Audi, bla, bla, take the money and run em..VOLVO FOR EVER !

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  Update after 5 months - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Straightnochaser2 - September 18 - 10:00 am

  I left my first review on 5/8/04, and my Volvo is going strong after 5 months. No problem whatsoever. My mother actually drives this car, and she really likes this car. So that makes me that much happier about my purchase of a Volvo. Such a cool name for a car by the way. Im a big fan of Volvo. Great car with great value. I look forward to succeeding this car from my mother in three years, when Ill buy a bigger better safter more luxurious more expensive car for her. Volvo for life? I believe it!

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  Turning ratio difficult in urban areas - 2004 Volvo S60
  By msl - September 18 - 10:00 am

  Should have taken some close U-turns on the test drive. With 18" wheels, it is almost impossible to perform a U-turn in city with 4 lane traffic. So concerned that I looked at moving back from AWD to a T-5 and with only 2,000 miles, the "book value" had decreased $14K from what I paid 3 months earlier. Fun to drive on highway, not in city.

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  Just Kill Me Now! - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Toni Musulin - September 18 - 10:00 am

  I have NEVER been so in love with a car in my life, until the warranty ended! I have owned this car for 2 yrs 4 mos and have had about $5k+ in warranty work done. I have had this car towed 3 times in 2 months, twice the dealership couldnt find the problem. The third time, just 2 weeks after the warranty expired EVERYTHING started going at once. Total brake failure, transmission speed sensor, ABS, power steering, YOU NAME IT! I tried to talk with the warranty company to see if they could help since my mileage is so low, only 64K, they were very rude, wouldnt even allow me to speak with a supervisor, and offered NO HELP! Volvo No America did offer some help, but not enough in my opinion

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  Johns - 2005 Volvo S40
  By stormcloud - September 18 - 10:00 am

  Beautiful and fun car to drive. Not underpowered compared to 2004 S40 it replaced. Old car totaled in chain crash without injury to driver. 2004.5 feels even more solid. Rain sensor auto drives wipers when rain varys.

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  Good All Weather Performer - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By FlagstaffMeg - September 18 - 10:00 am

  The XC 90 is a reliable powerhouse especially when negotiating mountainous curves. Although, it cant compare to the handling capabilities of the original 1998 XC 70. That was a great vehicle! The XC 90 interior is very nice and comfortable as well as aesthically pleasing. The exterior is described as "cute" by most of my friends. My XC 90 is black with tan interior and custum wheels. I think it looks flashy in an understated way. It turns heads.

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  Great Combo! - 2005 Volvo V50
  By skier - September 17 - 5:56 am

  I loved the looks. The combo of turbo performance & mpg are great. The awd is good for handling & good traction in snow. I like the utility of a wagon. I get up to 31 mpg on the highway & 24 mpg around town. The passing power & smooth torque is what is so fun! My T5 has been very reliable.