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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  Second XC 90 - 2010 Volvo XC90
  By kfrgolf - October 11 - 10:53 pm

  This is the first time in 40 years that I ever got the same exact vehicle that I had been driving. Bravo Volvo - safe , efficient, quiet and has all the amenities

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  Volvo XC90 Review - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By John - October 11 - 2:53 pm

  My Volvo XC90 defiantly rides smooth and quiet. The only complaint about the whole car is the pickup speed and acceleration. It is jerky sometimes when you go to accelerate. Other than that everything else makes up for that one flaw.

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  Practically Fun! - 2004 Volvo S60
  By cade8 - October 8 - 10:00 am

  Build quality is much better than the 01 model I had sold. The power feels great and the clutch is not as bad as I have read in the car magazines. The engine feels smooth to me up and the car is deceptively fast...was touching 100 while passing a row of trucks without realizing it. The ride in sport mode is also better than I expected. Had the opportunity to run with (blow by) a 330i with sport package...looking forward to the snow with all-season tires!

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  soooooo fun to drive - 2001 Volvo V70
  By E4fire - October 8 - 10:00 am

  I bought my T5 from a woman that ordered her car and picked it up in sweden. when she returned to the states she decided to sell her car. My volvo is a 5 speed manual trans. It is so fun to drive! No real mechanical problems, a turbo boost sensor went out, but replaced under warranty. Just returned from a 1200 mile road trip to Yosemite. I loved driving through the mountains. I cant wait to test drive a new AWD T5. The 2001 stereo is lacking, radio signal pick-up is moderate at best & I had to have the CD changer replaced twice (warranty). San Diego Volvo is very good to deal with.

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  From Mercedes ML320 to Volvo XC - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By Scout7 - October 8 - 10:00 am

  Loved the comfort and ride of this car. Went from Mercedes ML320 to this. Improved gas mileage, comfort and relability. The car handles great and has great creature comforts. Went for safety and proven track record and longevity. I feel I will get it in this car.

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  Im Rattled - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By Denny - October 7 - 11:26 am

  This vehicle drives great. Feels like a real luxury machine. Bought it for its level of technological sophistication.

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  Excellent SUV - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By patriot - October 6 - 2:00 am

  Had a T6 test drive. Car-like handling. Assuring brakes. Great and very comfort seats. Simple, but very functional instrumental layout. Very quiet riding and safe feeling inside. Easy access to the thrid row seats. Great cargo space even with all 7 seats up unlike Acuras MDX.

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  My Sexy S60 - 2011 Volvo S60
  By ravidas - October 5 - 9:40 pm

  When I first test drove the car here in Michigan, I did not want to stop driving it. It felt that good! It was a pure monster with poise, elegance and personality. Then I went to Gothenburg to pick the car up in late Oct 2010 as part of the Overseas Delivery Program. I was blown away by the entire deal: great Swedish hospitality and the truly satisfying factory delivery center experience. Due to timing, I could not drive it around Europe, but was more anxious to have it shipped back to the US! I received it in December, just before Christmas :) To summarise the S60: It is a pure engineering marvel, that blends sportiness and safety in one outstanding package!

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  Volvo, not for old geezers anymore... - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Marc A - October 5 - 5:16 pm

  My wife and I had considered Volvos several times over the years and I finally got tired of the lousy mileage in my truck and traded it in on a Black Sapphire, S60 2.5T with sport package, gorgeous beige leather interior and premium package (including cool wood steering wheel). I thought I would miss my truck but this car is such a pleasure to drive that I havent. Nicely refined, good acceleration and surprisingly good fuel economy. Theres a little too much body lean and the turning radius is a bit wide but other than that, I am extremely pleased. A GREAT alternative to the 3 series BMW, which are a dime a dozen in south Florida. I get lots of looks and compliments. Highly recommended!

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  Love this vehicle - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By scottnhouston - October 4 - 12:46 am

  After shopping and researching for a month we settled on the xc90 (rx330 was second choice). We love the vehicle. The luxurious interior and the stylish exterior. Gas MPG has been spot on with estimates (18/23). We do 80% city and 20% hwy thus far and have been averaging 20.2 mpg (self calculations). Am anxious to go on a substantial hwy drive as mpg will definitely be in the 23 range which is not bad considering the weight of the vehicle. If you are concerned about the power of the base engine dont be (unless you buy an SUV to go from 0-60 in under 8 seconds). The power has been more than adequate.