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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  T6 Has It All-Performance+Comfort for 7 - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By bajt - September 18 - 9:50 am

  We wanted a car that could accomodate up to 7 people (4-5 kids in back), that had plenty of room in the rear (with seats down) for transporting stuff but that was not too big overall. It handles beautifully under all conditions and has been very reliable to date.

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  Just love it - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Dan - September 17 - 10:00 am

  This pass July, my wife and I drove out to Yellowstone from Long Island NY. We stopped off at many places along the way. The XC60 was by far the most comfortable vehicle I have ever owned. The first day we drove to Chicago and not once did I feel tired or any back pain from this 11 hour drive. The XC was getting 26 mpg, whick really surprise me. The car handles great and we feel very safe inside it. Its quite and rides very very well. I would advise anyone looking to buy a new car, closely look at the Volvo XC60

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  Have Loved This Car for 9 years! - 2000 Volvo S40
  By happy owner - September 16 - 11:26 pm

  To make this short, I love the car! I purchased it new at the very end of 99 & have been driving it since 1-00. I really dont get the negative comments. Maybe, as one person mentioned, mine hasnt had the same issues because I ordered it before they came out & it was delivered from overseas?? But, it is NOT the first year for the car; they had been out in Europe for a couple of years. Ive replaced a few things, but for a car with 100,000 miles, thats typical. The headlights did seem to go out too quickly at first, but doesnt seem to be an issue now. Theyre about $12 at PepBoys & theyll put them in for free, or for $5 if theyre not feeling generous. Id buy this car again

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  Great car if you have some mechanical aptitude - 1998 Volvo V70
  By johnhondrogen - September 16 - 8:55 pm

  I own 2 Volvo XCs. Both with 165,000 mi. Ive owned them for 6 years and I think they are one of the best cars Volvo built, aside from the 240 series. A lot of people dont like them because they are expensive to keep and I agree with this if you have someone else do the work. I do most of the work on my cars; Im not a mechanic but the internet can tell you how to do anything. Ill tackle anything as long as I have the time (even a head rebuild on one of them) If youre looking for a maintenance free car, this isnt it. If youre a shad tree mechanic this is a great car.

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  I love this car !!! - 2004 Volvo S40
  By Ozgur - September 13 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car I`ve ever had. It sporty, elegant, and reliable. I used to had couple of Japanese cars before, they were also good but I can not compare with this car. She got 1.9 litre small engine, but enough power. Built quality is much more better than most Japanese cars. Its reliable, safe and the most important, IT IS A VOLVO !!!

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  2004 XC 70 six -month review - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By Gregg Corey - September 13 - 1:20 am

  Went to Volvo in August 2004 after very unpleasant ownership regarding a Jeep Grand Cherokee LTD. The Volvo has good styling, interior appointments are good- exceptional (leather quality), with the seat comfort exceptional. Fair to good performance, with handling very good. There does appear to be certain "blind spots" when turning sharply or backing up. Interior noise levels are minimal.

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  So far so Good - 2007 Volvo S60
  By blawdog - September 12 - 9:13 pm

  Sports package really makes a difference. I test drove a premium without the sport upgrade and was disappointed. When mine arrived on the back of a carrier with 2.7 miles and a surprise sports package I was delighted.

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  Very Impressed - 2012 Volvo XC60
  By OutdoorzDude - September 12 - 10:40 am

  Owned two BMWs before this, our first Volvo and will not be going back. Quality of materials and reliability much better. Cost of ownership for 4.5 years and 75,0000 miles has been terrific. Now nothing drives like a BMW but I am not missing the expensive maintenance and breakdowns that go with it. Safety is second to none and plenty of room for my tall family of four. Looking forward to the XC60 upgrade hopefully next year for our next one. Update: 92,000 miles and still performing well, with nothing but routine maintenance required.

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  Volvo for Life - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Bonnie - September 11 - 8:46 pm

  Ive had several cars in my life. When it came time to look for something new, we went to the typical dealers. Just by chance, we stopped in at a Volvo dealer never thinking we could afford one. Well, we were wrong .. but most importantly, I wound up in my Volvo S40. This car kicks. I call it my zippy car. Its so comfortable and fun to drive, Im now Volvo for Life. My husband had just bought a Pontiac Bonneville a month earlier and wishes he could get into the Volvo S80, but he would be up-side down, so well have to wait until his car is paid off in 2010 ... bummer. In the mean time, Im enjoying my Volvo and recommend it to anyone. My Dad always said they are the safest car out.

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  Hard look at a great car. - 2002 Volvo V70
  By Stormin Norman - September 11 - 10:00 am

  One of the smoothest cars Ive ever owned. The engine is barely noticeable when running. The interior lights dim slowly when going out. Doors close with a quiet click and require little effort to operate.Braking is smooth, quiet and give a secure feeling when deaccelerating. When driving, the car has the feel of a sports car. The engine is more than adequate for all driving conditions. The shifting of the automatic trans.is barely noticeable.Great car fun to drive.