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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  Superb with few exceptions - 2004 Volvo S60
  By New Englander - June 23 - 2:00 am

  This car is extraordinarily comfortable (in the front seat) and very handsomely styled. The back seat legroom is tight, but not uncomfortable. Open road performance is quite good in acceleration and braking. Holds curves well at higher speeds. Advanced suspension setting is unusable for roads in my area - other settings are good. The premium sound system is very average. Why anyone would want Dolby Prologic for their non-Prologic encoded music is beyond me. H.K. should have offered a better surround mode.

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  I love this car! You dont need the T6 - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By jsal - June 23 - 2:00 am

  The safety features are endless. I have small children and thats the most important. With this car I get that, along with pep, performance, fuel economy, style and everything else youd want in an SUV. You dont need the bigger engine to have the "get up and go". You can have it and better gas milage with the 2.5T.

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  Awesome Car! - 2002 Volvo S80
  By VolvoDriver - June 22 - 5:33 am

  This car has a better ride, maintenance, than my other luxury cars. I own same year Lexus GS430 and a 2000 Mercedes S600 and this Volvo tops them both.

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  Family Transportation - 1998 Volvo V70
  By 19north - June 21 - 10:00 am

  The best family transportation you can get: safe, economical, and sporty. Great resale value and excellent reliability too.

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  If Youre a DRIVER, youll love this car - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Salesman - June 21 - 10:00 am

  I am on the road 150 nights/year. This is by far the best road car Ive ever owned. Bought it with 10,000 mi on it and have never had a regret. Only in the shop for scheduled maintenance. I thought the 30K check was a bit pricey... Not many improvements to make; and its sure fun to show the BMWs (3s and 5s) your taillights on the expressways! Only the M series can beat you.

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  Unsuspecting S60R - 2006 Volvo S60
  By righter - June 21 - 5:43 am

  We had never even considered looking at a Volvo and were looking primarily at Audis when a teenager mentioned that we should try the s60r. Best advice! We loved it and bought it. More luxury than we expected, handles amazingly and so damn fast! It was a surprise to us and we are so happy with it - yes we agree about the turning radius though, a sacrifice we are willing to make.

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  Loving the s60 I saved from salvage yard - 2004 Volvo S60
  By John - June 20 - 9:48 pm

  This car was sitting for almost 2 years... With that in mind along with 230+k on it, this has been the best car Ive ever owned.. I purchased the S60 2.5t awd for $1,000 with a blown engine and radiator. After the radiator and head repair, surprisingly the beast fired right up... Runs like a dream.. Best investment Ive ever made.... My husband an I absolutely love it.. Body and interior look brand new...

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  New to Volvo - 2004 Volvo V40
  By jsb1970 - June 18 - 10:00 am

  This is my first Volvo and I love it. The design inside and out is fabulous. The turbo engine is very smooth and the power and torque are very good. I was pleasantly surprised by the kick that this engine has (way more than the Toyota Camry I traded in)! The seats are great and were designed by an orthopedist (find your "sweet spot" and youll never want to get out of the car).

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  Great car to be seen in! - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Naseem Helms - June 18 - 10:00 am

  I have had more compliments on this car than any I have ever owned. I have the atacama leather with black exterior. What a combination! Every drive-through I am in, someone comments on my gorgeous interior. This car is so much fun to drive. It handles great.

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  Exceptional Automobile - 2004 Volvo S80
  By ondre - June 18 - 10:00 am

  Ladies and gentlemen this is a wonderful car that I am glad I purchased. Non only is it a head turner but a fun car to drive and like they say Volvos are a great built car. Check it out for your self