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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  This is a great little car!! - 2010 Volvo C30
  By Jessica - December 8 - 10:26 pm

  I am really impressed with my C30. It has the 6-speed, climate package, and sunroof. It handles well in snow and rain so far. I am averaging 28 mpg between highway and small town driving. I took it on a 2000+ mile road trip, and even with all the time in the seat, both my husband and I were comfortable. It does great in mountains, in 6th gear you can still accelerate going up hill w/o having to downshift. Everyone that sees it loves it. I have a 2010 with the previous style headlights (leftover from last year). I like that style better though so I was glad when I found one! Mine has the off black interior and the metallic titanium paint, and it looks great in that color!

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  If you take care of it, it will take care of you - 1999 Volvo S70
  By fastredponycar - December 8 - 8:46 pm

  first of all, for everyone whining about the thing breaking, its a 15 year old car at this point. You HAVE to stay on top of the maintenance AND preventative maintenance. Failure to do so will mean small things can add up to big problems. That said, if you take care of the car, you will enjoy it. I had a 98 T5 and still have my 99 T5 and both have been trouble free and dirt cheap to own. At this point in their age, a check engine light is not a big deal. Everything that CAN go wrong with the car is documented on google so the mechanically inclined owner can fix most stuff at home and save a lot of money.

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  4.5 years later 2.4 liter with Automatic - 2007 Volvo S40
  By volvo2007dgo - December 8 - 10:39 am

  My S40 will be five years old in June. I have 32500 miles on it. It is only used for personal use. This was an excellent purchase. I would buy this car all over again. I use 93 octane gas and the performance is much better. I think i get better gas mileage using 93 than 87. The seats are so comfortable. Everyone that gets in my car loves the comfy seats and the waterfall dashboard effect where you can store something. There is plenty of power in the 2.4 engine without the turbo as long as you use 93 octane. The engine also loves the fully synthetic oil. The car has been reliable and i found a great volvo specialist to service it. I love the brakes and transmission.

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  Best car for the price - 2004 Volvo S40
  By Ken Y. - December 6 - 10:00 am

  My 2002 Monte Carlo SS was totalled when someone hit me from the rear. I went to many different dealerships Honda, Acura, Subaru, VW, etc. I just thought I would stop into the Volvo dealership to see what they had. They made me a deal I couldnt refuse on a 2004 S40. It has everything except fog lights and a spoiler. The only complaint I have is that the steering wheel vibrates a little when traveling above 70Mph.

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  Awesome Car! - 2004 Volvo C70
  By ralpha - December 6 - 10:00 am

  There are 4 convertibles in the near- luxury class that all sell for about the same dollars: SAAB 9-3, BMW 3series, Audi A4, and the Volvo C70. Dont buy any of these cars without first checking out the Volvo! Ive had mine for 4 days now. It is the nicest car Ive ever driven! Even though mine is the lpt, it has plenty of giddy-up. Gives a nice smooth ride; softer than the 9-3 or the A4. Handles wonderfully. All the goodies (leather, CD player, heated seats, alarm, etc) come standard. The seats are especially confortable. I know this is a nice car because my wife and my 2 sons (18 and 23) all want to drive it!

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  Key Design Stinks - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By axey - December 6 - 10:00 am

  Excellent in every respect EXCEPT: (1) both remote control designs failed, and (2) the Fuel economy is well below Estimated ratings.

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  What a difference 10 years makes - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Diplomat - December 6 - 10:00 am

  We replaced our 144K 940 turbo wagen with the loaded XC. Our only complaint has been the Bose CD changer, which froze up...requiring a trip to the dealer to arrange replacement. As for what Volvo built, it is so much better than our 940. If it lasts as long, then we have made a heck of a purchase.

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  Best 4cyl Car - 2002 Volvo S40
  By Daniel - December 4 - 10:00 am

  This car is a very reliable car that meets all my requirements for a car. Small yet comfortable. I value the understated luxury, it lacks the pretension a BMW 318 or Audi A4 1.8t might have associated with it.

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  Nice Ride! - 2010 Volvo XC90
  By Kat1976 - December 4 - 10:00 am

  I bought this vehicle through the military/diplomatic sales in Bahrain and overall it exceeded my expectations. Dissapointments: the vehicle was delivered to DC/VA almost four/five weeks behind scheduled arrival date with wrong interior color (calcite seats...ouch...), my speakers are making weird bzzzz sound. I installed bluetooth and portable Garmin for Volvo navigation system and I am pleased with both. I especially like the portable navsystem, because you can use it with other vehicles;saves you $ when you rent on vacation. I really like how it handles the bumpy DC/VA roads and that there are no blind spots like in other SUVs. Also, the free service plan on 2010 models is a MAJOR perk!

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  GREAT CAR - 2007 Volvo S80
  By beach4 - December 3 - 12:06 am

  This was our first Volvo and we planned on keeping it for years but due to a relocation we will be trading it in for a XC 90 AWD. I hope I love that car as much as I love this one. We have taken the S80 across the country with two adults and two teenagers and everyone was comfortable. Well, as comfortable as anyone can be going across the country with two teenagers!!