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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  Amazing Vehicle - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Sageman - December 18 - 3:40 am

  This is a phenomenal vehicle. I have 3000 miles on my T8 Inscription and could not be happier. I drove BMW, new Audi Q7, new MB and Porche; the T8 is the true winner. If you are considering a T6 or T8, the first option I would recommend is the air suspension. It is a gamer changer offering a smoother, quieter ride and improved handling. Going for the Inscription package raises the interior seating and finishes to an extremely high level. Then of course Intellisafe safety features are wonderful. And finally, if you are into music, the BW sound system is uncompromising. Wow. The T8 plug in hybrids battery cost 50 cents to charge and it provides enough electric only miles for most of my city driving needs. We charge between 1 and 5am using a timer to get the lowest electrical rate of 4 cents per kw (here in Arizona). In the electric mode, the car it incredibly quiet. Really magical.

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  Great Value - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By CDA IDAHO - December 16 - 6:10 pm

  So my wife and I spent 3 weekends looking for the perfect midsize SUV for our newly expanding family. Liked the Murano - but too small, really liked the new 08 Highlander - but a little too expensive, Acadia - a little too expensive. We looked at the 04-05 Infiniti, Acura, and BMW.... all were a little too small. We drove the XC90 the same day we drove the Acadia and couldnt help but notice the difference a V8 makes, both in pickup and engine noise. Very happy with our used purchase-- only 22k miles, all the bells and whistles. So quiet - compared to other test drives.

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  Fun all around - 2008 Volvo C30
  By bas3 - December 15 - 10:04 pm

  Purchased my C30 in 2008 as a Dealer promotional model (traded in a 2004.5 S40). Now has around 70k miles and is holding up well. One issue- HVAC fan was replaced under warrenty before 15k miles. Excellent commuter vehicle with enough zip to manuvre in heavy (Chicago) traffic with confidence. Very comfortable long range cruiser (I take at least eight 8+ hour trips each year) even with three in the car. Plenty of leg room in back for 6 footers even on long trips, though taller passengers might end up feeling cramped after a few hours. Fuel economy is average (I get about 23/ 24 mpg in city and stop and go rush hour traffic, up to about 26/ 27 for long freeway cruising). FYI, auto tran.

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  Good as a sportswagon gets... - 2015 Volvo V60
  By matt1122 - December 15 - 4:34 pm

  If you want a wagon that goes fast, handles very well, and is still a great daily driver, it doesnt get any better than this. If you want to spend twice as much, you can get the rocket ship which is the E63 AMG wagon, but it is a much larger car. If you want the odd styling a Cadillac CTS-V, youll get a car thats probably more fun and is certainly faster, but I didnt find it nearly as comfortable as the Volvo V60 R-Design. This car is the perfect 20-year sequel to the 1995 Volvo 850 T-5R less a bit of boot space. Unlike the T-5R, it rides comfortably (no crash-iness), has All-Wheel-Drive, and isnt just fast by 20-year-old standards.

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  Seven Years Now - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Ed - December 15 - 2:16 am

  I have had this car since new. There were two initial issues. Both were addressed. The car has had some performance modifications by IPD so it is faster than the average V70R. Other than above I have not had any major issues with the car. It has been a pain to pass DEQ not because it has high emmissions but because the computer has a long drive time to re-register data after a battery change. For me it was nice to carry items but think you are in a pretty fast sedan otherwise. Gas mileage is not great. I should also mention that I was T boned once by a car doing and estimated 40 MPH and drove it home. Granted the steering was way out of true. After 7 years I am tired on it though.

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  I had such high hopes.... - 2017 Volvo XC60
  By Nicole - December 15 - 12:43 am

  1500 miles driven so far...encountered three issues (all were "reset" by turning the car on and off again.) First, the power lock on the driver side door decided not to function one day, but hasnt repeated yet. During a heavy rain, the auto folding mirrors would not fold back out after turning the car on and off several times. It later reset after being parked for an hour and I was told by the dealer to push the left and right mirror command buttons at the same time which should cause the mirrors to fold out if they are stuck. Best of all, I believe the parking break malfunctioned, triggering the check engine light to come on and the car to be undriveable. After I safely rolled into a parking lot and turned the care off and on it appears to be fixed for the time being. Ill be making my first trip to the service department before I make my second car payment! There are some good things: Acceleration is great for a 4 cylinder and size of the car; Tons of cargo space + panoramic sun roof made for some luxury car camping; Very comfortable (and great gas mileage at about 30 mpg) on a 8 hour road trip; Bluetooth integration is fairly seamless (wishing the car had apple play) and the navigation system has a very nice feature where the next turn displays in the instrument panel so you dont have to keep looking back at the screen. There are many things I really love about this car, but the reliability issues have me feeling pretty disappointed. Im glad I leased.

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  great drive - 2004 Volvo S60
  By georgina - December 14 - 10:00 am

  I love this car the way it drives and how solid it feels, but the leg space in the rear is very bad. The radio system I did not upgraded and the sound is very poor

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  Why did you sell to Ford - 1999 Volvo V70
  By rlsams - December 14 - 10:00 am

  Great wagon. On weekends I use it as my truck...plenty of power for hauling small loads of buiding and landscape material.

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  All Youll Ever Need ... - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By buddy c - December 14 - 10:00 am

  We took delivery on a metallic green 2003 XC90 T-6 about a month ago, and have found it to be everything as advertised -- and more. Volvo managed to maintain the unmistakable look and quality "feel" of a Volvo, with room GALORE in the vehicle and -- not incidentally -- a magnificent sound system, kid-friendly features, and in my opinion, sure (if unspectacular) performance. A big-time winner in my book!

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  Luv that R - 2004 Volvo S80
  By zen823 - December 14 - 9:20 am

  I’ve owned my Volvo S60R for a short time, but I love this car. It’s a blast to drive, a sports car in a family sedans skin.