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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  YIP E - 2011 Volvo C70
  By thirdwiley - March 25 - 8:36 pm

  After one month, this is my favorite Volvo in initial quality and design. I have owned a 850 GLT and currently own an S80. The C70 is quieter at interstate speeds than my S80 and my wife and I feel like we are in a snug, safe, comfortable cocoon when driving. Its just plain fun to drive and we also like the head-turning effect.

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  volvo - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Lisa - March 25 - 1:26 pm

  Great car for the family! I have had Mercedes, Navigator, multiple explorers... Great car- dont like the gas mileage even on the 5 cyl. and was really surprised at how poorly even with Traction Control the car was in the snow.

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  Nice little wagon - 2000 Volvo V40
  By ddelise - March 25 - 10:00 am

  This is a nice little wagon. It is kind of small on the inside, especially with a baby car seat. But the car is quick, good looking, and fun to drive. If it were a little bigger, it would be perfect.

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  Glad its gone! - 2001 Volvo S80
  By rose - March 24 - 5:00 pm

  I had a 1999 S80 that I loved. it was a dependable car had over 150K when I got rid of it. I bought a used 2001 S80 it had 70K on it. During ownership I experienced lots of problems-transmission, faulty air valves,sway bars, sensory issues, headlights burning out, suspension problems. I was thrilled when I finally sold the car. I had it almost two years, 22K miles and thousands of dollars later! I would not recommend a Volvo car.

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  I love it! - 2017 Volvo XC90
  By Jack YM - March 24 - 4:37 pm

  This is my third week of driving Volvo XC90 and both my kids and I love it! I have been searching for a replacement for my Honda Odyssey for a while. I have compared Acura MDX, Audi Q7, Mercedes GLE, and BMW X5. Eventually, I decided to have the XC90 and have to say that it has exceeded my expectation so far. Initially, I was thinking to buy a MDX given I have had a Honda before and for the value. However, I think the interior of the MDX is not as luxurious as one would expect and with all the options, it is not that "value" anymore, so to speak. Sometimes, people may have experienced "buyers remorse" wishing you have bought a different car. It never occurred to me. As I said earlier, my kids love riding in this car and I feel good driving the car. The security features are excellent and are one of the main reasons I chose this car. The technology is super and the touch screen central display is very good, simple, clean, and works. One may need take time to learn how it works, just like using ipad or iphone. My car also comes with the "red" key which is nice if you have younger ones driving the car (additional safety features like limiting the driving speed). The only thing it took a little bit more time to make it work is the "Homelink" button for garage door opener. The instruction comes with the car doesnt help much. I went to the "Homelink" website and downloaded the instruction for this specific car. It worked on my first try. I wish it had come with the car a separate sheet/instruction on how to program the "Homelink" button given this would probably the first thing people would do once they drive the car home. Overall, I am very happy and pleased with the car.

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  Buy a BMW or Audi instead - 2004 Volvo V40
  By George M - March 22 - 10:00 am

  We purchased this car recently...back brake pads needed to be replaced, it is a common problem according to the service people at the dealer but they refused to cover under warranty. The paint on the car is very soft and scratches very easily. Overall is an okay car, not worth the money. It is our fist and last Volvo, customer service is a joke! Dont buy this car, the BMW is going to be our next mini wagon, a much more solid car that only costs a few thousand dollars more.

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  Beware of Customer Service - 2002 Volvo S60
  By Savvy Driver - March 22 - 10:00 am

  We bought this car new coz we loved the look and reputation of Volvo. However, weve had major customer service problems as well as electrical problems. Also, it is very difficult to see to change lanes due to the head rests in the back and the way the car frame is built.

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  New 2014 S60 R-Design and online reviews - 2014 Volvo S60
  By spmatl - March 22 - 3:47 am

  I just purchased an S60 R-design and hope to pick it up today. Has the same specs as an Audi S4 but costs much less after negotiation. I assume the S4 has better driving dynamics but they just wont come down on price much for the car. I will update my review after spending a few weeks with the S60. Does anyone know where to find a good online video review of this car? Volvo has done a really bad job of getting this car in front of the car mags.

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  Great, apart from parking brake problems - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Hugo F - March 21 - 8:57 pm

  Bit spoilt also having a tesla (hence the infotainment system seems slow and buggy compared to the tesla, even though its miles ahead of typical cars) but the interior is really nice as is the lane follow and adaptive cruise. Very relaxing on long journeys. Had problems with the electric parking brake locking on, stranding my wife in the school parking lot. Volvo said the car needed to be towed to the dealer; I found this thread and someone mentioned pulling the parking brake fuse to reset the system (open hood, look inside fusebox cover to identify the fuse, pull, leave a minute, replace, done) - this fixed the issue totally for us. Going to get the dealer to check for a firmware update for that component at the next service.

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  T6 - 75th edition - 2002 Volvo S80
  By northland - March 20 - 10:00 am

  no comparison to the S80 of a few years ago, this car is much improved. little noticeable torque steer and like glue on the road when you punch the throttle from stop or at highway speeds. this car is growing on me like my old box shaped Volvos ... skeptic at first but its carrying on that traditional feel of another solid, quiet, dependable and SAFE Volvo!