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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  Great so far! - 2010 Volvo XC70
  By trailguy - November 23 - 8:40 pm

  This is a solid, well built car. The fit and finish is excellent. Considered a new 2010 Outback, but the Volvo won the day. Better financing, better trade in offer and more features and interior space. More comfortable interior, nicer design. True, its not as sporty a ride as the Subaru, but it still feels pretty solid. Engine is a little underpowered for the size of the car but seems to run better with higher octane fuel.

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  V70 T5- Not a Bad Car - 2001 Volvo V70
  By TEF - November 23 - 10:00 am

  Bought new in 2001 through Volvos Diplomat Sales as special order with cloth interior (vice leather) and 5- Speed MANUAL transmission. Car has been very reliable and aside from usual wear items such as pads and rotors, have not spent more than $1K over last 10 years for repairs that included replacement of a pollution device plus new timing and serpentine belts. Perhaps having the manual transmission thats made the difference, but has been dependable and decent on gas. Would not buy another Volvo because Ford pretty much destroyed the company. Current Volvos are just too expensive for what one gets. Current models offer old technology.

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  Like it, but frustrating - 2008 Volvo C70
  By Rick - November 22 - 8:36 am

  Did a lot of research on convertibles before I bought this one. In general, I think it is a very functional and stylish car. Good driving position and room for the kids. I have had to take it to the dealer 4 times to get rid of the intermittent annoying rattle in the center front of roof and between the front and back right windows. Seems to be a very difficult thing to diagnose and fix.. Hopefully we are getting to the end of the issue. Once resolved, I will love the car.

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  Junk After 120K miles - 2001 Volvo V70
  By jmg1977 - November 20 - 8:58 am

  This is a Volvo, right? It is actually my 4th. And my last. Too bad for what used to be a great Swedish product, but not anymore! Nice styling, great handling on the interstate and sips gas. All ok until about 120K miles. Then literally every electronic and fuel injection component, even the seatbelts started to malfunction. Thousands of dollars. Not the typical older car reliability failures and certainly Bosch doesnt make anything reasonably priced for replacement parts. My next car will be American or Japanese. Not as unreliable or expensive to fix.

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  Experiences With My Current Volvo S70 - 1999 Volvo S70
  By Vivian - November 19 - 10:30 pm

  This is a stick shift car which is going strong at 92,000 miles. I use it for both business and personal use. It is roomy inside, handles beautifully, and I feel very safe when Im driving. I like the design better than the new Volvo sedans design. Fuel economy is impressive - better than the published figures (my driving is about 50% city and 50% highway). Trunk space is more than adequate. We generally keep our Volvos for fourteen or fifteen years and they are always manual transmission cars.

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  Just a great car - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By Jim - November 19 - 11:53 am

  Its just a great comfortable and reliable car.I have put 150,000 miles on this car and it has never let me down. Amazing room for three kids and large dog which I bought a Walmart gate to keep him contained in the back.The very best car in snow, Ive had jeeps and all others and nothing compares to the xc.

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  volvo is hard to beat - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Stephen Dixon - November 19 - 2:00 am

  I have had 3 volvos,, they last, they are safe,, and now they are sporty and fast. This one turns heads. AWD is perfect in Colorado. A blend of a sporty car and a reliable sedan. I dont see anything else on the read that compares.

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  Volvos60 AWD Impressed! - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Kym - November 19 - 2:00 am

  Havent owned very long but have owned Many cars & Minivans & I have to say this is my FAVORITE!!! This car gets up and goes, and safety...well need I say more than its a Volvo! Looks GREAT! Handles well in and out of snow, just A++++ Car!!!

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  Love my S40! - 2001 Volvo S40
  By woodsprite53 - November 18 - 4:01 pm

  Wow - saw all these bad reviews.Too bad. Bought my 2001 S40 used in January 09 - just under $5,000. I love this car. Turbo...broooommmm. Mechanical, nothing outside of regular maintenance or wear and tear...even very little there. Only "problem" is the fan blower for the climate control does not work on "2" setting so you either go with very low at 1 or with 3...no problem. Had to replace her battery last week...okay it is a 10 year old car. Replaced the timing belt at the interval recommended in the maintainance manual. In about 2 years I will be looking at a "new" used car...it will be a 2006 or newer Volvo S60 or 80. S40 has been great but she has small interior. Love this car.

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  Great Drive - 2008 Volvo C30
  By sweethome - November 18 - 3:16 pm

  Terrific car. Went in to replace my 2001 Cross Country with the new model, wasnt crazy about the feel, and ended up testing the C-30. Cant believe I went from all that space to this 2-dr hatchback. What a good decision. With the back seats down, I can put my golf clubs, my wifes golf clubs and all the luggage we would ever need for a long trip. Comfort, ride, sound, all spectacular, and you gotta love the BLIS - no more neck craning to find that truck hidden in my blind spot. In my travels on the east and west coasts and the south, I have yet to see another C-30 on the road, so the uniqueness is a plus as well. People do stare.