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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  Favorite Car So Far - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Mom - November 10 - 3:36 am

  This car has exceeded all our expectations and is a pleasure to drive. Its safe, fun to drive, roomy, and stylish, too..other moms always express volvo envy.

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  Very Costly Driving Pleasure - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Joe Balasicka - October 30 - 2:30 am

  I love everything about this car except it is as reliable as a newspaper in a hailstorm. It only has 50k and the following already has had to be repaired: front struts, bearings and plates, ABS module, oxygen sensor, front bushings, motor mount,has oil leak that mechanic said to wait until I see oil on ground, engine light currently on?, just recommended tie rods to be replaced by mechanic-can wait on that.

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  Excellent Value - 2005 Volvo S40
  By chaz - October 30 - 1:46 am

  This is our first Volvo and so far I,m very impressed, The styling, both interior and exterior is very eye catching. The safety features are second to none and while the performance of the 2.4I is nothing special it does offer adequate power and above average ride and handling. I highly recommend the heated leather seats as well as the sport package which includes 17" alloy wheels. The base single CD player is more than adequate. On the downside the interior is a little cramped for me,(602,200lbs)and the back seat would be very tight for adults. Also, our standard sized booster seats did not fit in the back seats. Volvo does offer as an accessorie a booster cushion/ backrest.

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  Volvo C 70, Fun Car to Own. - 2001 Volvo C70
  By victor zammit - October 23 - 10:00 am

  Negatives: Takes time to warm up. The automatic shift is sluggish from first to second gear if not warmed up properly. Ride is a little too stiff. Feel every crack in the road to a point that steering wheel vibrates.

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  A Safe, Comfortable, Practical Luxury Car - 2016 Volvo XC60
  By Tom Keenan - October 20 - 4:05 am

  My vehicle priorities have included safety, comfort, durability/fuel economy, and carrying capacity (cargo, dogs etc.), in about that order. This is our 4th Volvo since 1990. The other 3 were wagons (a 240 and 2 V70s). The last one we bought now is about 12 years old with over 220K miles; until this past month it has required little more than routine maintenance but now it is starting to show its age. Good price incentives in July encouraged me to buy new. I chose the XC60 over another 70 series mostly for the styling and extra ground clearance in the XC60, and because cargo capacity isnt as big a priority for us anymore. The XC60 is a very comfortable car with supportive front seats and enough leg, shoulder and head room for my above average male body size. The drive-e engine delivers surprisingly good fuel economy for a car this heavy, yet acceleration also is more than adequate for my needs. The leather seats are beautiful, although I would have preferred the cloth upholstery that has held up so well in my old V70 for 12 years. Another thing I miss is the fold-flat front passenger seat in the V70, which allowed me occasionally to carry long items such as lumber (but then, I wouldnt want to do that in a car this nice). The infotainment system keeps me entertained and informed with more choices than I really need. Its a little more complicated than I would have preferred and Im afraid it will seem dated within a few years. The "premier" version is nicely equipped as-is, without adding expensive options. If youre comparing alternatives, Subaru is another (less expensive) make Id consider, especially if you want AWD. Volvo prices seem to run lower than youd pay for most Lexus, Audi, BMW or Mercedes models (unless you get into the bigger, more expensive 90 series, which wouldve been more than we need).

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  Not the Volvo it used to be - 2006 Volvo XC70
  By Notpleased - October 17 - 12:36 pm

  From the moment I drove the car off the lot new there was a thump in the rear end. It took 18 months to get the problem corrected. At 32,000 miles something internally damaged the engine head, and it needed replacement. It was repaired under warranty, but the car simply does not perform like it did prior to the problem. This all happened even after being religous about meeting service and oil change intervals, etc. I love the look of the car inside and out but the Volvo quality and service have alot to be desired. I say this after having six Volvos over the last 20+ years, the first four running over 100,000 miles with few problems. The last two (both XC70) with nothing but problems.

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  buyer beware - 1999 Volvo S80
  By rickyd - October 16 - 10:00 am

  I bought the car new and have had problems since it was 3 months old. Ball joints, 3 new computers, side lights fell out 3 times, check engine light always on, leaking valves, vibrating speakers, tires wear faster than any car ive owned before, etc etc. When it runs its great but it is always in the shop. Thank goodness for the extended warranty though i am 2000 miles from it expiring so the car goes. Cant afford to keep it.

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  Volvo Owner No More! - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By Edashcash - October 14 - 10:00 am

  When I first got the vehicle I loved it, but after having it for 2 + years, its not reliable..something is always wrong with it..had so much trouble with the Axles where it would shake rigourously 60-70 mph..the A/C stops blowing out consistently after 20 min..and when its on its too darn cold! The temp. gauge doesnt work so its either freezing or hot.

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  BLIS Problem - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Steve Auyer - October 14 - 10:00 am

  After 3 trips to the dealer when they insisted the RH BLIS was working properly, I complained to VolvoCars USA in NJ. That got teir attention. The dealer kept the car for 2 days and finally diagnosed a failed RH BLIS camera. Their software showed no diagnostics so they insisted the camera was working properly. It was only after being pressured by VolvoCars USA that they took the time to find and repair the problem

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  Lovely Car, Top Secret Repair Info - 1996 Volvo 850
  By janow - October 10 - 2:00 am

  I got this car for $6500 in January 2003 with 88K miles. Its lovely car and so far has needed only $500 for new brakes (local mechanic). But the seat belt needs to be replaced for about $185, and I worry about repair. Ive always bought real shop manuals for cars I own to spot BS and help me fix simple things without going to dealers who make a big deal out of everything. Volvo does everything possible to frustrate this: the real shop manuals are a set costing about $1000 rather than the usual $50 - $100.