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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  Major disappointment - 2003 Volvo S80
  By puchpuppy - March 20 - 6:40 am

  Purchased car with 33000 miles and have been beset with any number of very expensive problems. The most expensive problem was replacing the fuel pump at 43000 miles at a cost of $1000 dollars and suffering an overwhelming smell of gasoline for a month afterward. Now there is a check engine warning that shows a code of failure of fuel system. The estimate on replacing the sensor is in the neighborhood of $800 dollars. The suspension system needs realignment every two thousand miles or so. Am on the third set of tires. Continually replacing headlight bulbs and other bulbs. I am 82 years old and have drive Volvos for years and I do not misuse a car. Am bitterly disappointed with this car!

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  My Volvo. - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Mardi - March 20 - 1:53 am

  The head rest pokes out and isnt comfortable. Other wise the seat is very nice. The trunk is too small, especially from top to bottom. Love the 6 CD changer and sound quality. Love the exterior look. People stop me all the time. Come out from stores to find people looking at it. wish I had bought the turbo. feel very safe in it. wish there was more storage in terms of console space in front of car. like the old S40 glove box better. everything falls out. The air conditioner is too loud. In fact, the whole car is too loud.

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  Our Favorite that weve ever owned !! - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By James TG. - March 19 - 10:30 am

  We love the looks, drive, safety and reliability of this car !! Nothing negative to say !!

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  S60R - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Kim Viner - March 19 - 10:00 am

  Good looking car that has great performance and very nice interior. Performance very trong at higher elevations due to the high boost turbo(I live at 7000 ft). Litle turbo lag and the six speed transmission is well suited to the engine. Selectable suspension settings make a noticeable difference. Rie quality on interestate type surfaces is really smooth in comfort mode. The active suspension cures the body role problems of other S60s. Sapphire black metalic paint has a slight hint of purple which makes it look not "too" black. I had reservations about the "blue" leather interior, but when seen in person, it looks really nice.

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  Simply Awesome! - 1999 Volvo S80
  By here4u312 - March 19 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my 99 S80 for almost 4 years now and over 50,000 miles. Its incredible! Thats the best way I can describe it. I really cant find anything that is not perfect on this car. I did have one defect on the car which was warranty. Thats why I rated it a 9 and not a 10 for the build quality. I really feel this is a perfect car. Other repairs have been software upgrade (solves all issues with these cars) and ball joints replaced under a recall. If you want a good reliable, safe car, this is it.

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  Close to a lemon - 2003 Volvo S40
  By Consultant - March 19 - 10:00 am

  Car has been in repair an average of once per month since we got it. The gas gauge still doesnt work although Volvo made several attempts to recalibrate. Have blown two headlights and the list goes on. Cant wait to get rid of this piece of junk. My first ever car was a Volvo and this will be my last Volvo.

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  Competent but not outstanding - 2001 Volvo S40
  By Canuck2003 - March 19 - 10:00 am

  Bought it 1 year old from the Volvo dealer and paid 20% less than if we had bought it new. Excellent value at that price. Pretty good acceleration and handling, although the ride can be a bit stiff on irregular surfaces. Engine a bit noisy at low (parking lot) speeds. Braking is excellent, although I agree with other reviewers that they wear down prematurely. Well-designed interior; e.g. hook on the left passengers side (on which to hang a jacket)is placed so that the blind spot is not obstructed. Cruise control is easy to use. Cup holders though are useless. Not as well built as the A4 but we paid much less than the A4.

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  Good Car, Bad gas Mileage in T5 AWD - 2013 Volvo S60
  By frugal_car_guy - March 18 - 1:41 pm

  I have owned a T5 AWD automatic premier for 5 months. I have averaged 19 MPG combined! That is just plain awful for a 5 cylinder. And no, I do not have a lead foot. This is typical suburban driving and light commuting. (FYI: In 2015, the new 4 cyl engine is faster and gets 25 city, 37 highway.) Other than that the car handles great, is very smooth and comfortable and has very good acceleration. I have had no problems so far. Another negative is that the controls, radio, seat heater etc. are difficult to operate and poorly designed. This car is smoother, more comfortable, quieter, and handles better than my wifes 2012 Acura TL. I got a great deal on a demo, but I should have waited.

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  Mountain and City - 2005 Volvo S40
  By uhlr - March 17 - 10:10 am

  Brand new, only 500 miles so far: every mile sweet, smooth, fun driving. AWD and good power without killing gas mileage. I got over 29 mpg in high country mountainous (7,000 to 11,500 ft), snowy, +sunny driving. This is a replacement for an unreliable S60 AWD. Volvo made good. Confident driving feel even at high speed or on snow/ice.

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  S40 2000 - 2001 Volvo S40
  By vonts - March 16 - 9:03 pm

  Nice car except: 1. Paint on the hood leaches off when you wax it. Super soft paint still arguing over getting the hood repainted. 2. Its been in the shop twice for warranty work, nothing that stranded me, but still. 3. Better than the normally aspirated S60, I had one as a loaner while mine was in the shop and for that much money the dash and switches are cheaply done.