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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  From BMW to Volvo - 2004 Volvo S60
  By drhixson - June 26 - 10:00 am

  I went from a BMW 5 series and a BMW Z4 to the Volvo 2.5T. Let me just say wow. From 198HP in the BMW to 208HP on the Volvo, plus the turbocharger... It is a no brainer.

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  Fantastic Car - 2004 Volvo S40
  By lkw15 - June 26 - 10:00 am

  This car has been fantastic so far. The gas mileage is excellent, the ride is smooth, the acceleration is quick. With the premium package and climate package, this car comes loaded for a price right around high 25,000s, low 26s. I commute a long distance each day and this car has been a pleasure to ride in.

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  S80 to an XC90 - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By MIKE - June 24 - 9:23 pm

  I traded my S80 T-6 for an XC90 T-6. the XC90 is easier to get into due to the seat height, which i like. It drives very well but is some what sluggish compared to the S80 T6. The interior is very nice and comfortable. I never have figured out the radio, I guess I need a teenager. A simple radio would be nice. Gas... boy it does like gas. My S80 T-6 got 26 mpg the Xc90 does good to get 18 mpg on the highway and about 14 mpg in town

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  Keeper - 1996 Volvo 850
  By gmac - June 24 - 10:00 am

  Have enjoyed everything about R! Great acceleration, handling good for sedan. Been smacked 3 times by poor drivers....great protection, never close to injury! Safety plus. Seats are best...cannot stand other luxury seats..especially for long trip, replaced radio xx 3 (all on warranty.) A/C fine for 6 years, then leak in heater coil. Ride harsher than GLT sedan, but wouldnt trade ddue to other features. Love it at 207K miles....hate the "soft" 17 inch wheels, bend...but saved life once so....! Cannot find a replacement with all features I like ...keep it til 300K or 400K.

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  S70 Best Car I have Driven - 2000 Volvo S70
  By Ramesh Veerappan - June 24 - 10:00 am

  I have owned several Japanese cars but this is the best car I have ever owned. I is solid like a rock and I always feel very safe driving on my volvo. The main reason for changing to a volvo is for my son and maintenance. Life is important and we need a car that protects us. I was involved in a Japanese car accident an suffered bad injuries 5 years ago. The car involved was a volvo and noone was hurt in that car.

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  Great Car - 2006 Volvo V50
  By Gryphon - June 18 - 11:13 pm

  Went to by a "SMART" car. Ended up with my Volvo. For the mileage I put on it was the vehicle for me. Lots of room for my clubs, skis, mountain bike and weimariner.

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  grrrrrrreat - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By McGrady - June 17 - 2:00 am

  this is a great car with sooo much traction control and safety and u feel in it that u own the whole steert

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  Volvo SUV Review - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Rcnee - June 17 - 2:00 am

  Unreal Suv. The best and compared to the BMW a lot less $. The 3rd row seat is great and easy to get back to them.

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  Amazing Performance from a Wagon! - 2005 Volvo V70
  By Satisfied - June 14 - 10:00 am

  If you want a daily driver/safe family vehicle that will wrap you in comfort, give you the sure footed handling and stability in every condition and also smoke you neighbors Porche, this is the car to get...

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  Excellent - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Cai - June 12 - 1:00 am

  The best and most fun car I ever owned. It runs so well in all conditions that I dont know what to do to make me lose control.