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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  what a ride!!!!!!!! - 2001 Volvo S40
  By volvospd - August 13 - 9:33 pm

  Bought my 01 s40 with 25k on it in 06. Inow have 123k. This car has been my favorite car. Its sweet looking, comfortable, fast as well u know. I average 35 mpg I use moble 1,93 octan and perform maintenance as suggested. I have had only one problem and it was my fault. I had to replace the fuel pressure regulator. I kept loading my fuel lines before starting the car. It was not expensive to replace at all just a couple hundred bucks at the dealer. Love this car I want one for every day of the week.

• 

  perfect car - 2003 Volvo S40
  By Paul_pl - August 11 - 2:00 am

  Simply the best, can not be compared to japan or german cars....

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  A Convertible For Adults - 2006 Volvo C70
  By Steve - August 10 - 2:13 pm

  If top-down driving inspires you but safety, build quality and seating for 4 motivate you, then this is your convertible. A head-turner with the top up or down, the converting process is guaranteed to stop traffic. Actual adults can fit in the rear seat, and if you drive like an adult (i.e. - dont need to prove your manhood by speeding, snaking through traffic or excessive horsepower) the C70 will keep you smiling for years to come.

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  Im enjoying my new Volvo - 2005 Volvo S60
  By RLevy32 - August 9 - 3:16 am

  Ive had my Volvo for six months now and I enjoy every minute that I have driven. Its comfortable and very classy looking. It performs surprising well for a 5 cylinder auto. I got about 28 mpg on a trip from L.A. area to Phoenix area. It was a little more than I wanted to spend but I think its worth it. Also the navigation system is great.

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  Great European car! - 2007 Volvo S40
  By Sasha - August 7 - 12:36 pm

  Volvo delivers what it promises...it drives great, it looks great and it is built to last. Its a great choice for people concernet abour reliablility, style and fuel economy.

• 

  So far so Good - 2004 Volvo S60
  By my first new car - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car just over a month ago, extremely happy. Smoothe ride, great lighting, great standard features, awesome sound system. Handles very well. Feels like a solid, heavy, safe car. Havent had experience with service yet, thank god, so cant report on that.

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  Best Volvo yet! - 2003 Volvo S80
  By Nick in PA - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Besides the class-leading safety in this model, Volvo has perfectly balanced performance and comfort in the T6. This car is roomier than the BMW 5- series cars...both cabin and trunk. This is my 4th Turbocharged Volvo, and is the best one yet! I was surprised at how reasonable the cost was after all incentives were applied

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  Sporty with safety build in - 2005 Volvo S40
  By john H - August 4 - 3:13 pm

  The Volvo S40-T5 is a compact family car with the driving charactistics of a sports car. The adjustability of drivers seat and steering column make it even for a tail person like myself possible to be confortable in the S40- T5. Acceleration is impressive but will not set track records. The car is very sturdy built and the excellent reputation that Volvo has regarding safety was one of the factors why I bought the S40-T5. If you are like me and keep your vehicles for a long time (8-10 years)A Volvo is the car to consider.

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  Fast and Fun - 2015 Volvo S60
  By fordescortgt - August 4 - 2:04 pm

  This is a great highway car. It is very composed, fairly quiet, and extremely comfortable while commuting back and forth the 80 miles to work. The car is an absolute rocket, whether in sport mode or not. However what is truly nice is that you have an option. In normal mode the car will accelerate off the line with the authority dictated by how hard you press your right foot down, but you can also drive quite leisurely. Switch to sport and the car is absolutely manic, press the gas and hold on. The car feels like it will never stop accelerating. The only draw back in sport mode is it feels twitchy all the time.

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  The Gold Standard for wagons - 2009 Volvo V70
  By MSmith - August 1 - 6:50 pm

  Love it. Nobody does it better when it comes to wagons.