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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  An all around great ride - 1999 Volvo V70
  By v70owner - November 23 - 2:00 am

  We had some minor problems with the headlights and some other things, all of which were covered under the warrantee. Just routine maintenance otherwise. The wagon is great for long trips and the safety features work great -- if you happen to get rear-ended.

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  Stylish and fun to drive - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Carol - November 23 - 1:43 am

  I have had my XC90 nearly three years and love it as much as when I first got it. Reliability and dealer performance have been excellent. Car very solid and secure-feeling. We bought this car when our son was appraoching driving age, beacause of reputation for safety. Minor complaint: Tires wear out quickly due to heavy weight. Major complaint: Gas mileage has never approached Volvo projections.

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  V50 Fun Sportswagon - 2005 Volvo V50
  By gdsommlier - November 23 - 1:16 am

  Great sportswagon with attitude. People think Volvos can not be fun to drive only safe cars instead. If that what you think, I recommend that you try this vehicle with the T5 and AWD. Get it out on a highway and a curvy country road and you will agree. gdsommlier

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  Better than expected - 1999 Volvo S70
  By Ad - November 21 - 11:33 am

  I have read many reviews of people complaining about Volvo reliability. I found my car to be trouble free. It is the base model without the turbo, so that could be part of the reason. The car feels very solid and is very fun to drive. My other car is an 80s Porsche and I enjoy this car just as much. It is comfortable after a long day at work, and I dont mind driving it in rain or snow. Aside from normal oil changes, I am replacing my original struts that have 134,000 miles on them. Everything else seems find and I plan to drive this car for a very long time. If I were to sell it, it would be for a T5 S70. The best fuel economy I received was 32mpg. This is excellent considering the safety.

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  Great year round car! - 2000 Volvo S70
  By jomaja - November 21 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 2000 S70 used. This is my 6th Volvo. I had 4 740/760 turbo models and they treated me great. I bought a 99 S80 T6 and traded it for this one. The 99 T6 was the worest car I have owned. Lots of problems and outrageous repair costs! The 2000 S70 All wheel drive turbo is a GREAT CAR. Mine now has 108000 miles and runs and looks like new! I will keep it for another 10 years and pass it on to one of my kids as I did with my 7 series. As with any thru winner Volvo ended production in 2000. So buy one when you still can!

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  A Head Turner - 2005 Volvo S40
  By alanfl - November 21 - 10:00 am

  Body exterior and interior totally revamped. Finally gives Volvos some pizzaz. Turns a lot of heads.

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  A Year of Heaven - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Patzapper - November 21 - 10:00 am

  This is the most comfortable and smooth riding SUV I have been in. Love the stereo equipment and its excellent surround sound. Terrific styling,,,,I receive loads of complements from bank tellers, fast food drive thru personel to carwash jockeys. Just the right height for great visibility. Appeals to all ages. My college age son wants to the drive it all the time!

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  Volvo XC70 - 2006 Volvo V70
  By Dale Cohen - November 19 - 8:20 pm

  Great car, lots of seating room and ample cargo space. Fun to drive. Its like having a station wagon and SUV in one!

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  Stealth performance and style - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By myob - November 19 - 6:23 pm

  This is our first "crossover". After years of sport sedan driving we wanted more space for things and a higher driving position for traffic. The engine is super smooth, it is quieter inside and smoother riding (even with R design) than previous Infiniti and BMW vehicles weve had. The interior looks great in two-tone leather, ergonomics are fine, and at the present it is rated the most reliable of the European brands. The 5 year warranty and free maintenance, including wear items(execept tires) is a plus. Safety is unequaled. I am not thrilled with the lack of steering feel, but the vehicle will take fast corners and sticks to the roadexcellently. Plenty of room for us.

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  Sleeper - 2006 Volvo S60
  By Acer - November 18 - 10:43 pm

  After a long research period and a slew of test drives (shucks) I finally selected the S60 R. My selection criteria were: 300 hp, AWD, and convertible; and I looked at GS300 AWD, G35 AWD, Z Roadster, M3, 330 xi, C55 AMG, SLK 350, WRX STi, and S4. None of the cars match all three criteria, but the S60 R did the best at the most affordable price. I also like the fact you dont see them everywhere like you would with a BMW. And aside from a few small "R"s there is nothing that readily identifies this Volvo as the hot rod version. The S60 R is the atheltic WRX STi that has grown up and wearing a suit and tie.