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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  Love this car !! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By YOGIMA - August 13 - 10:00 am

  What a great car ! Having always liked Volvos for their safety and reliability..we have one with 165,000 and going strong.. This car has far exceeded my expectations. I find it very luxurious and nice to drive. The versatitlity with the seating is wonderful and easy to use. The only down side is the visibility with the 2 rear columns..I just had to get used to using my side mirrors more. I also just discovered that the car can be driven manually which is fun and has also increased the already great fuel economy. I highly recommend this car to any family.

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  C30 is a head-turner - 2010 Volvo C30
  By HoustonJ - August 12 - 2:16 pm

  Ive had scores of cars through the years, from Lexus, Infinit, Porsche, BMW, Audi and others. I have gotten more favorable comments about the C30 than any car Ive owned. Its a sort of cult classic already. Fun to drive, great for urban transport, I can even take adults in back without apologizing. Ive had it for 6 months and really love this car.

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  Ultimate Volvo Turn On - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Hilltop Volvo Fan - August 12 - 7:53 am

  Volvo epitomizes "safety" to me and most important feature in a car for me was simply a comfortable, safe, and affordable ride until I bought a used 2004 S60R that has completely rocked my world! What a beast! I love the way the car handles, drives, and looks. AWD and lightning fast acceleration and solid braking... man, I am in love!

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  The car just fits - 2009 Volvo XC70
  By Steve - August 12 - 1:03 am

  This car if very comfortable to drive. Very solidly built. Quieter and more comfortable ride than the 2006 that I really really liked. Every time I drive the thought "this is a pleasure" comes to me.

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  Excellent car! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By pschmid - August 11 - 2:28 pm

  I picked up the car at the factory in Sweden and kept it in Europe for 3 months to benefit from sales tax advantages then in effect. I only drive the car on long distances and it therefore has barely 30,000 miles on the odometer. A Volvo is for life , as they say, and at this rate it may hold true in my case. I have not had a single problem with the car, and it still looks just like the day I took delivery. However, for urban driving it is less suitable because of the rather generous turning circle compared to my other cars. Still, overall I am very pleased.

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  What a great vehicle - 2011 Volvo XC60
  By fabdog - August 11 - 12:06 am

  Moving out of a Lexus IS, needed more room. Looked at Lexus, Audi, BMW, Ford. Went with the Volvo. Sharp looking vehicle, AWD, great ground clearance. Drives very nicely, very comfortable front and back seats, lots of cargo room. Have most of the bells and whistles (NAV, backup camera, sound system) and they are very nice. Wife and kids love it. After 1500 miles am getting 21.5 to 22.5 MPG in mixed city/highway driving. Havent had a chance to test it out in winter conditions, counting on the Volvo pedigree there

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  Smooth Ride, but at what cost? - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Still ridin - August 8 - 10:13 am

  This car is amazing. Definitely an eye turner. Great acceleration in top gear when pulling away from traffic or overtaking slower cars. I have a geartronic and I believe that it needs to be six gears and not five (Volvo corrects this with the latest models). The front seats are comfortable for taller people. Theres a lack of storage space for things but otherwise not bad. I noticed fuel economy got better after approx 15K miles. Can somebody please do something about the turning radius and the wheels?

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  Volvo XC-90 SUV Review - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Jeff Dickens - August 6 - 6:33 pm

  The XC90 is the 6th leased Volvo in our family. We lease them because of the confidence we have in the safety engineered into the vehicle. I never anticipated just how safe the XC90 is, until I was offered and participated in the Volvo XC90 off road "Owner Experience" driving test. This car performed far better then my expectations. The Dynamic Stability and Traction Control along with the Roll Stability Control performed flawlessly, and gave me complete confidence that this vehicle is capable of responding well under a wide variety of hazardous road conditions. I spend much of my time in the XC90, and this is probably the most comfortable, enjoyable and safest car I have ever driven.

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  S60 step up - 2004 Volvo S60
  By skm - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I previously leased a Volvo S40 and with the lease coming up, my husband found a private owner of an S60 who needed to sell because of a change in circumstances. We test drove the car and what a step up from the S40. Dont get me wrong, I loved the S40 but my kids quickly outgrew the backseat. The S60 has so much more leg room I am sure I will be keeping it for a long time. The drive is beautiful with a tight steering wheel smaller than I am used to but feels like a race car!

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  WJMJ 2003 X-C 90 T-6 Review - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By wjmj - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Unbeatable safety features. A very versatile, roomy, quiet and comfortable vehicle that gives you an extremely confident road feel. All- wheel drive is excellent. Despite reviews in the press, my T-6 has shown plenty of acceleration ability, especially in 3rd and 4th gear. A very comfortable ride and excellent brakes. My vehicle has had no defects, a remarkable thing for such a complex vehicle. Gas mileage has been somewhat disappointing (15-16 around town and 18-19 on highway), even for a heavy 5,000 lbs. vehicle. Excellent climate control system. Wonderful vehicle overall.