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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  couldnt be happier! - 2001 Volvo S60
  By peterson - June 16 - 10:00 am

  When it finally came down to choosing between the Volvo S60 or the Audi A4, Driving the car really made the difference. And the view of the front end. I chose black. And it still has an awesome shine today even though I park it outdoors. Too many people are still expecting the interior to be similar to the older Volvos. And every time my friends get in, theyre totally shocked. It defines clean lines and style. Now, I feel I have a much better car then the competing BMW as well. Plus, theres more hidden features the dealer doeasnt tell you about that makes the car a way better deal than anything else I could find under $50k.

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  Excellent cruiser - 2003 Volvo S80
  By Carbuff - June 14 - 11:16 pm

  Volvo has a fine automobile in the S80 T6. Mine has been trouble free; the key to which is regular maintenance. I also recommend a transmission service or flush every 40,000 - 50,000 miles at the dealer. If you plan to keep the car for several years, the servicing you do will pay dividends. This is a fantastic automobile for long trips and highway driving; especially good for moving people in comfort. Fuel economy is much better at cruising speed on the highway; youll see dramatic drops in start and stop city driving. Highly recommended!

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  Wasnt sure about this car at first... - 2015 Volvo S80
  By Joel H - June 12 - 1:14 am

  .., but I LOVE it & so does everyone else. The S80 e-Drive Platinum 2015.5 is under-marketed and you likely arent chomping at the bit to buy one. Do not make the mistake of believing what is said about the performance of the professional reviewer even if you are an aggressive driver. I wanted a car that met the following criteria: going to be around for 10 years, protect me from the bad drivers on the road today, deliver zippy performance, provide efficient gas mileage and be comfortable and fun to drive. I am so glad i got in the S80 at the dealer. I almost got the S60 but decided the 80 was larger and a better fit for me since im 62 and over 200. My son is already 6 at age 14 so space would have been tight for the family in the S60. I looked at lots of cars and realized im not the guy for those that look pompous. I wanted understated, classy, strong value and safe. Ive got 10k on this now and not one thing has caused me an issue other than figuring out how to setup my Volvo connection account. Their customer service solved the problem very quickly. Everyone that rides in it is amazed and says things like "well, I never" and "beautiful" and "what kind of car is this again?". The technology is significantly advanced over the 2015. I would purchase it again in a heartbeat. Two complaints. First, there is no defined place for sunglasses and they go into a compartment behind the radio or the central bin between the seats. The compartment behind the radio is most convenient but they fly out when you swing around a sharp corner fast. I do that a lot. Second, the cup holders for the front seat are too close together. As a result, my venti iced latte and my wifes drink like to pop the lid off one another. Take one for a nice long drive and see if you can return it to the lot. I could not and look forward to handing this off to my oldest when she graduates college in 7 years.

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  DON - 2004 Volvo S60
  By none123 - June 11 - 10:00 am

  The second day I owned the car I got stuck! Volvo has still not found the problem (2 months later). Certainly, things like car trouble will happen. But the truly concerning issue is the TERRIBLE customer service I have received from the dealership. (Another interesting defect I found was that the interior lights dim when the hazard warning lights flash...good luck looking at map while you are stopped by the side of the road.) My advice...dont make the same mistake I made. Spend a little more and buy a Mercedes.

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  great all around convertible! - 2003 Volvo C70
  By alex millman - June 11 - 10:00 am

  2004 hpt auto. very comfortable front seats for tall and big poeple. great engine and transmission. love all the safety features. sound system rocks. last but far from least, classic timeless lines and appearance. stunning looks!!

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  Good design but poor execution - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Tarheel - June 11 - 10:00 am

  The V70 T5 has reasonable performance, but it did not live up to its potential. I understand from my friends in Sweden that Volvo actually provided reprogrammed chips to V70 T5 owners because the 2.4T outperformed the T5. From the very beginning, we have had a number of problems related to poor quality control. Interior trim on the A-post fell off the first month we had it. Over 10 bulbs have burned out. The dealer has replaced them without charge up until now, but it still means we have to take the car in frequently. The biggest problem was complete transmission failure at 60,000 miles. Totally unacceptable in a car in this price range.

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  Fun times in the sun - 2004 Volvo C70
  By MOnty - June 11 - 10:00 am

  The C70 convertible is a dream to drive. Acceleration is smooth and steady from a dead stop. Acceleration from a moving start has a bit of turbo lag. Handling is above average. My only regret is not being able to acquire a manual transmission with the high pressure turbo to see how this coupe really stacks up.

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  Love it - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Kat - June 9 - 11:53 am

  Love the car and very comfortable. Its a luxury car with a reasonable price tag. I have Japanese cars all my life and this is my first European car. And I love my decision. It’s not too big or too small for a woman driver.

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  Great Vehicle! - 2008 Volvo XC70
  By Cottonwood - June 9 - 1:33 am

  I love this vehicle! Was a bit hesitant as I moved from a Mercedes E500 and thought Id miss the HP & luxury but the Volvo has far exceeded expectations. I drive through Colorado about 50K/year and with Blizzak tires, the Volvo is extremely dependable & secure. I will drive 600 miles in one day and finish refreshed & happy. Averaging 24 MPG on non-premium gas. Certainly not a race car - but you should know that going in. Two thumbs up. Only complaint, the key stinks.

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  Owner of Two XC70s speaks - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By mbrown - June 8 - 11:30 am

  We purchased 2 XC70s over a year ago and have only excellent things to report. Purchased the ext warranty on both. Had a problem with the transmission on one, but the dealer stuck with the issue and eventually changed the entire transmission for a new one, not a rebuild. Since then we have clocked over 50K each on both vehicles and have only had routine service done. I have run through snow so deep that it was at the top of my tires while hitting remote areas for cross country skiing and snow shoeing. Cars sit out all winter and both start at first crack of the key. Winter temps of -28C so far. A/C works great, sometimes above 40 C in Kamloops summers.