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 happy after 9 years - 1999 Volvo S80
  By nyindallas - December 15 - 5:33 am

  This car is a good example why one should not get too wrapped up in reviews. After 9 years I can say this car still is a dream to drive. I love taking it on country roads where the handling is amazing. I have also driven a Mercedes E320 on the same road and while the E320 has more power, it does not handle turns as well and does not come close in comfort.

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  Defective Shocks - 2007 Volvo S60
  By Len - December 13 - 10:03 am

  Car was delivered with 2 defective rear shocks, Dealer could not replace them because they are on national backorder. After a month they received replacement units they were installed, Brought car back to dealer. The replacements were also defective

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  Overall Happy - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By xcreddy - December 9 - 5:26 pm

  Have driven for a week. Overall happy with the purchase. 32,900 w/ metallic paint and premium package/sunroof. Smooth ride, quiet. Could use a few more hps as tranny has to shift often. Design is nice. Interior is luxurious though there are a few shortcuts (cheap plastic interior door pull)

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  2001 V70 XC AWD - 2001 Volvo V70
  By InAgony - December 9 - 2:00 am

  Love the car BUT.....3 transmissions replaced all under warranty (good luck XC90 owners, you got the same lemon trans but a much heavier vehicle...see you in the shop!!!!), engine rear main seal failed and had to be replaced, vibration, excessive tire wear, headlights burn out every 6 months, squeeks and growns from suspension, soft leather tears very easily with kids. Parts prices are ridiculuously expensive.

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  1999 Volvo V70 - 1999 Volvo V70
  By GMRBimmerBoy - December 8 - 10:00 am

  I now have close to 90K miles on it and it is still running pretty good. However, there are a few problems that I have run into. The electrical system is a joke. I lost count of the number of times I have had to take my car to the dealer to have a headlight/tail- light/turn signal bulb replaced or rewired. If you buy this car, be ready to take it in for service on the electrical system frequently. On some cold mornings, the engine would not start for me. I have had to keep my foot on the gas at intersections (I have a manual tranny) to keep it from stalling. That usually fades away after about 5 minutes after starting the engine. Beside those bugs, an excellent car.

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  Worth the Money for the Seats - 2006 Volvo V70
  By David - December 6 - 11:50 am

  My wife had decided she wanted more than a Japanese car, one that will go over 200K (like all our other cars). We looked at Outback, Camry, Accord, and Passat. Camry and Accord no longer come in wagons, and we didnt like the Subaru. Saab, BMW and Audi were overpriced. We were so impressed with the seats and the Volvo reputation for safety we bought it. Absolutely no problems, 25 MPG city, 31 MPG highway. Not too shabby for a turbo. The 5 cylinder is a little rough compared to a V6, but the car has a smooth ride.

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  Check your rims - 2006 Volvo C70
  By Jeff - December 3 - 8:23 pm

  We love the C70 but it has been in the shop a number of times due to the tops sensor going off while driving in the rain and when someone is walking behind the car as I back out of a parking space. Basically I have to reset the top by opening and closing it. Not a fun experience in the rain. Another ongoing issue is both right rims seemed to have gone oval for no reason. One rim was even cracked on the interior. The dealership and Volvo USA say they are not responsible. The top rattles, water gets in at the car wash. The battery died which unlocks the car and rolls down the windows. Its a safety feature.

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  Safe Luxo wagon - 1997 Volvo 960
  By David B - December 2 - 6:30 pm

  We purchased our 960 wagon because my uncle got 375k miles out of his 93 960 wagon, so I figured there must be something to be said about the build quality and the reputation of Volvo. This car is a comfort on long drives and handles surprisingly well for a wagon. The big soft leather heated seats are wonderful and welcoming on cold days. This car is very classy and understated. We have not had any serious repairs other than routine service. Remember as with any European luxury car, you have to pay to play. If you want a car that you can feel really good about driving your family around in and not worry about who will steal or scratch it this is the car.

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  Great used car purchase - 2004 Volvo S60
  By KeepKeysAwayFromWife - December 1 - 4:50 am

  Purchased 04 S60 2.5T in May 09 with ~60k miles for ~$10k. Although not as tight or responsive as 91 Jetta GLI, car is fun to drive with adequate hp. Suspension is firm, but steering feedback is less than GLI. Seats are very comfortable, but not as snug as Recarros of GLI. MPG settling in around 21.5 with mix of very short daily commute with 1 hr drives to airport. Even with STC on, the car will squeal tires. Wife would not drive Acura CL, but regularly absconds with the S60!

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  The Last Volvo I Will Own - 2000 Volvo S80
  By hiram - November 29 - 10:00 am

  My S80 T6 is the seventh Volvo I have owned. This is also the last one I will purchase. At 31,000 miles the steering rack and most of the front suspension failed. Since the car was Volvo Certified these repairs were covered under warranty. However, the delays, fowl-ups and outright lies by the dealer service staff have forced me to demand the dealer (Transatlantic Motors in Hyannis, Massachusetts) buy back the car. The car is going on its sixth day out of service, primarily because of the service departments ineptitude in ordering parts properly. Frankly, I find more respect and consideration in the service department of the local Hyundai dealer.