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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  Never Again... - 2001 Volvo S40
  By Car Owner - April 6 - 10:00 am

  Cant even begin to tell you how many problems Ive had. Bought at 91k miles, now at 100k. Within this time have had the tensioner, timing belt, motor mounts, alternator, brakes, spark plugs, coils, pressure valve, and some other hose replaced. Would love to buy a newer car, but cant get approved so I pay the costs to fix this POS. Dont buy this car. Has been in and out of the shop every month for the past six months. COstly to fix.

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  Good Car - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Jackchez - April 6 - 10:00 am

  We have the 2.5L turbo. It has been very good with only minor repairs. Tires and front brakes at 45000 miles. I dont know why others say tires every 22000 miles. A pleasure to drive and will keep it for another 10 years!

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  Rubber Trouble - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Rubber Trouble - April 4 - 3:26 pm

  Fun car to drive. Good handling and decent acceleration from anywhere except a stand still. Now for the horror: I have replaced 10 tires in 3 years. The car is not designed properly for the low profile tires that came with the car. I purchased a warranty on all tires from a national tire chain after the fourth $200 tire I purchased. Now I am swapping them out at $25 a pop on a regular basis. Annoying. Maintenance is expensive. Only other major problem is the discoloration of the strips that run across the roof of the car (along the top of the door). Very expensive to replace and after many letters to the company still no answer on why the body discolors on at $35k car after 3 years.

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  Upon further review... - 1996 Volvo 850
  By New Dad - April 4 - 4:20 am

  Originally submitted review of this car after 2 months of ownership. In one year Ive gone thorugh: brakes - 4 rotors, 3 sets of pads and 2 calipers; engine - 2 air mass meters, a set of plugs, wires, rotor, and distributor; gas - approximately the pre-war output of Iraq. When it works, its the greatest car Ive ever owned, but the brakes are a nightmare, and it is just too heavy - killing mileage, brakes, tires, etc.

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  Love the car, hate the navigation system - 2012 Volvo S60
  By beignetva - April 3 - 3:13 am

  I have had this car for over a year. I love the way it handles, its well built, it drives like a charm. Unfortunately, the navigation system is useless. More often than not, it gets me lost and wants me to get off the highway then get back on for no reason. Ive started using my Iphone GPS as a backup as I cant trust this. Also, the way the update to the navigation system is done is antiquated. After asking for over 6 months, I finally received the CD update that took over 6 hours to load while the car was running. This is 2014. There has to be a better way. Unfortunately, as long as Volvo does not improve their navigation system like Audi has, I will not buy another Volvo.

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  First Luxury Car Purchase - 2004 Volvo S60
  By mjsa196 - April 2 - 4:30 pm

  The Volvo S60 2.5T is a joy to drive. The smooth transmission and comfortable seats make city and cross crountry driving a pleasure. There is enough pep when you need to get around someone or something with the handling to supplement it. Great car.

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  15 + Years A Volvo Owner - No More !! - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Stephen J. Lalor - April 2 - 11:13 am

  Was true Volvo believer here for over 15 years but no more! I have always loved this brand and believed in but the XC 90 is the most unreliable, high maintenance auto I have ever owned. 60 k miles now, and am in need of (4th set of 4 tires)and front-end ball joints; heating and air conditioning system has never worked correctly (and they cant figure it out), passenger side front window has broken at least 4 times; wind shield wiper blades fly off car.... shall I continue? I just purchased a different brand SUV even though I have 3 months to go on my Volvo-KLUNKER lease! 2007 Buyers - beware and consider alternative, less expensive SUVs unless you enjoy visiting dealer service facilities.

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  My "Sheep in Wolfs Clothing" - 2004 Volvo S60
  By CHT - April 2 - 2:00 am

  To date, no issues with the vehicle. Build quality is excellent, as well as performance. 4C is great. Sport and Advanced have very different qualities. Comfort vs. Sport is not as great a change. The car tracks as if on rails in high speed turns. The car is just pure fun to drive. Best part is I can take it out for some spirited driving, then haul the kids to soccer. Its stealth, but (in my opinion) looks much better than an S60AWD. For the money, you will have to spend $10-15K more to get something comparable from Audi, BMW or Benz.

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  Poor quality control Not very relieble - 2006 Volvo V50
  By swedejunk - April 1 - 3:20 pm

  This car is most expensive headache you will buy. It has a lot of electrical issues. I have premium audio which gives me trouble intermittently and no one at Volvo knows how to fix it. Also navigation system is too sophisticated for volvo to trouble shoot. Besides that the customer care people are insensitive even if you make one trip a month to the dealership for fixing something or the other. NOW NO LONGER do volvo cars get top ratings in safety either.

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  Not an Auspicious Start - 2005 Volvo V50
  By R. Firenze - April 1 - 10:06 am

  Ive always wanted a Volvo turbo wagon. When I came across a left over 05 T5 AWD..I decided to take a chance on a non-Japanese made car. After only 3K Im not sure it was a wise decision. Car developed serious left pull,door hinge squeaked loudly,radio freezes on occasion, hinged door on cargo cover rattles so badly Ive simply removed it, armrest storage lid stuck and was replaced, as was the power steering pump..yep. It does drive nicely.Ample power.Good handling.Great in foul weather even w/17" wheels and stock all-season Pilots.Im averaging 20.2 MPG. After years of driving Japanese cars and dreaming of owing a Volvo I can only hope this doesnt turn out to be a nightmare.