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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  Like V70 2.5T - 2004 Volvo V70
  By Rich Tebbetts - January 29 - 5:26 am

  Nice car. Got used in 2010 with 91,000 miles. For major repairs only had to replace radiator in2012. Still doing well at 122,000.

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  Superb - 2010 Volvo XC70
  By Dbone - January 27 - 4:53 pm

  This is an extremely well put together vehicle. The perfect car for those not concerned with badge flashing (bmw, merc, etc)...A very understated luxurious ride...This car is literally an S80 inside...Same car with a cargo area... Cant say enough about how impressed I am with the quality of the ride and fit and finish. Fuel economy could be better but I knew this going in.... Sounds like a vault when closing the doors. Read comments about sloppy handling by some. Not the case with the adaptive suspension. I added 19 inch Volvo Erakir wheels as well so Im sure this improved handling too... Avoid the base 3.2 engine like the plague. Anemic compared to T6, which is very refined.

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  Great SUV - 2012 Volvo XC60
  By Andy - January 23 - 6:39 am

  This is a great purchase I made. The only thing I dont care for is the MPG but knew about it going into it so no big deal.

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  Completely SATISFIED! - 2006 Volvo S40
  By Molly S. - January 22 - 1:00 am

  From the test drive, purchase and every day drive to work. I LOVE this car. It has truly been a wonderful purchase.

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  Love that Volvo - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By Karen - January 19 - 5:56 am

  This car is solid and feels very safe. Its interior is classy, substantial. I have ridden in other, so-called more "luxurious" SUVs and find that they seem cheaply made, and plastic compared to the Volvo. On the freeway, I feel that I can hold my own in this very solid vehicle.

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  JB S80 - 2004 Volvo S80
  By jrb - January 18 - 10:43 pm

  The Volvo S80 is the most comfortable car I have ever driven and that is including virtually all production "luxury cars". The old design 2.9 engine is plenty strong enough for me. If I could change anything it would be to reduce wind noise although it is not bad but not as good as Lexus or S series Mercedes. It has a very solid feel and to this point I have had no problems with this car.

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  my favorite wagon - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By sindell - January 18 - 2:00 am

  look forward to driving this vehicle.it has great road feel, stability,enough pick-up for street and highway driving. far surpasses my BMW 528 wagon for all weather driving! your rating is too low.

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  Love my S40 - 2001 Volvo S40
  By LizAnd - January 17 - 10:00 am

  Great car for a long commute! This car is so responsive and tight. My husband drives a 2002 Passat, and recently drove my car on a long trip. He could not get over the quick acceleration and fun ride. His car is an absolute slug in comparison. I also get about 5 more MPG on the freeway than he does. Its a little small on the inside, but perfect for my needs, as I rarely have passengers. I wouldnt recommend it for a family sedan, but as a DINK car (double income, no kids), it really fits the bill. Reliability has been excellent, and service at my dealership is so stellar, I wouldnt dream of taking it anywhere else.

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  First Volvo owned - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By config - January 16 - 2:00 pm

  We love the styling and performance of the XC90 but it hasnt really been trouble-free especially considering the price and class its in. Although minor, we had to replace the horn, headlamp wiring harness, a bad sensor which caused hard starting and a transmission seal gasket (had minor leak). All taken cared by the warranty but it makes you wonder how reliable and expensive it will be to maintain after the warranty expires. Of course, nothing is trouble-free but overall we are happy with the vehicle

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  I LOVE my T6! - 2011 Volvo XC70
  By lindsayg - January 16 - 10:54 am

  Volvo has read my mind- all my "issues" with my 2008 standard XC70 have been completely corrected in the 2011 T6 model. It is absolutely worth the extra $ for the turbo version. I traded in my 2008 and a 2008 BMW M3 on this Volvo and I dont miss the BMW at all because the new Volvo is so much fun to drive. The best of both worlds. Way to go, Volvo!