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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  Fabulous car - 2006 Volvo V50
  By amo - December 12 - 1:06 am

  I was torn between the BMW X3 and this car. However, after I drove the Volvo V50 there was no more competition--you have to drive this car to believe how great it is! The seats are extremely comfortable, it comes with a whiplash protection system, the storage capacity is huge (you wouldnt believe how much stuff this car holds), and the back sets have a lot more leg-room than the BMW 3 series wagons.

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  The Lilttle Engine That Could - 2003 Volvo S40
  By zackyson - December 11 - 7:46 pm

  What a super little car, Ive owned other Volvos, but this is amazing built. Outstanding throttle response for such a prize machine. Imagine driving from Torrance, Ca to San Diego, Ca on ten dollars worth of gas in 2008! Wow! I love this car, my Cayanne S was fast, but nothing compared to this little speed demon. Thanks a lot Sweden.

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  Volvo comes up with the times. - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Nick - December 8 - 10:43 pm

  I was in the market for a good reliable family car, and I found it! This is a very fun car to drive (with manual tranny), room enough for 4 adults, or 2 adults and 2 kids, excellent gas mileage, and the Volvo reliablility.

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  Got what I paid for, Volvo XC90 - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Jose Cuartero - December 5 - 4:50 pm

  Best SUV out there. It is very good looking, reliable and comfortable. It does consume more gas than I would like to, but all of them do anyway.

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  Best All-Court Player - 2003 Volvo C70
  By Jlinwood - November 29 - 10:00 am

  An all-court player, the C70 combines luxury, performance, and comfort in a stylish package thats fun to drive. While there are a lot of good-looking cars on the road these days, it still turns heads and we can still tool around town with tall friends in the back seat. Youll feel a lot of confidence on the on-ramps, and maintenance has been oil and gas.

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  A nice family SUV - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By acyu - November 29 - 10:00 am

  Most practical and functional internal design for SUV.Drive smoothly. Price jump rapidly with options.

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  Great Suv! - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Zdub - November 29 - 10:00 am

  After waiting 6 months for the vehicle it was definently worth the wait. We bought the car for our baby looking for mostly a safe vehicle that had utility uses. With the T6 we were pleasantly surprised how well made it is and how "smart" the vehicle actually is. The anti roll, reverse warning, climate control, retractable mirrors, rain sensors are all great features that surpassed our expectations and made this not a typical suv.

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  A good old traditional station wagon - 2008 Volvo V70
  By Steve in Minnesota - November 29 - 6:46 am

  Interior comfort is the best feature of the V70. There is plenty of space for both passengers and cargo in a relatively compact package. The power train is generally refined. The transmission is very smooth but the engine growls a tad too loud for an almost 40,000 car. There is way too much shudder and noise when going over bumps but otherwise it feels solid. The highway ride is quiet and serene. We purchased for 25 grand as a rental return. I believe the MSRP was about 38 grand, which is a little spendy. Were getting 22-34 mpg in mixed driving. The heated seats are the best I have ever felt. Very welcome in Minnesota.

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  Fun wagon! - 2006 Volvo V50
  By CO Yogi - November 28 - 10:23 pm

  This is am awesome car! It is a great combination of power, fun & economy. Passes even better than my old Olds jetstar with a 425! Cruises at 90 across S. Colorado & N. New Mexico & gets 27.5 mpg while doing it. If I keep it at the speed limit on the highway I get 31 & around town 25. Carries my 2 dogs or lots of gear easily. Perfect size for my wife & I. I love this car!

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  Volvo S60 2.4T - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Roger LeVine - November 28 - 7:26 pm

  Generally happy with the S60. The only complaint I have is an excessive amount of wind noise comeing from the front pass. door. I took it to the dealr once for a repair. They changed out the window front pass. window but there was no improvement.