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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  so so volvo - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Big D. - November 4 - 5:20 am

  Well with now 35000 miles on my XC90 numerous things have been addressed. New rear wheel bearings, Complete front brake job @25000 miles. Rattles coming from places that myself or the dealer cant find....still over all with the things that did go wrong(they were replaced under warranty) its been a good vehicle.

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  Just ok - 2002 Volvo S60
  By jambo - November 1 - 10:00 am

  The seats are very comfortable for tall drivers as they have a good range of tilt. The telescopic wheel is a great feature although a little more range of movement would help. The engine and airconditiong are a nightmare. It sounds like someone is gargling water when you accelerate. There is also a popping noise when the car shifts. The lousy dealers (and i do mean lousy) say it is normal despite the fact that the loaner car i had had none of those problems. The dealers are terrible. I live in south Florida and had to buy my car in Atlanta because they were so bad. Overall, comfortable car when not acting up.

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  Transmission Issues - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Tracy - October 30 - 7:43 pm

  Overall experience has been very good until recently when the RPM would race to peak levels while driving. Initial repair shop found nothing wrong. Towed car to dealer and they advised the transmission needed replacement to the tune of $3,800. I would expect this from a lower end vehicle, but not from a Volvo.

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  Not The Volvo of Old - 2000 Volvo S70
  By Drewber from Texas - October 25 - 2:00 am

  The S70 GLT SE is an excellent car. It possesses very good power, near-luxury comforts, stable ride on the road and good safety features. The sound system is unbelievable with an 8-speaker design. It seems as though Volvo is striving to imitate Japanese quality and apperance. Some of us still want boxy, heavy, classic car designs. Clearly, Ford is having a greater and greater influence on design - too bad.

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  Cant have it all - 2007 Volvo XC70
  By Volvoman - October 24 - 5:10 pm

  2nd Volvo XC 70 for us. Previous was 03, with better mileage (17/26). City driving yields 13mpg, highway never better than 22. Also have had repeated problems with the tire pressure monitoring system--car has been back 3x for service--each time, they tweak, but warning message comes on after 30 minutes on highway. Never in short runs in city. Earlier they changed sensors, told me to keep tyres infated to 43psi (!) Now they have changed some electronics-lets see.

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  Yes it is a Volvo but..... - 2003 Volvo S40
  By StuartL. - October 21 - 2:00 am

  Got a great deal on a demo model with exactly the features that I wanted. People in the dealership are great and not stuckup like Audi and BMW. Given Volvos reputation for building sturdy, dependable cars I have been surprised by the need for new break pads every 20K and the high maintanence costs.

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  Love the car but.... - 2008 Volvo XC70
  By antrow - October 20 - 7:06 pm

  The car only has 1950 miles on it and it was in the shop four times for a clunking/popping sound coming from the front end on turns and some rattles. I think they may have finally fixed it by replacing the front subframe rear bushings and both control arms. I love the luxurious ride and interior but the gas mileage is only averaging 18 at best and that is with 50-75% highway. The car has some nice features such as the Blind Spot Warning System, Personal Car Communicator and remote tailgate.

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  Well built superior quality - 2002 Volvo S80
  By John D - October 18 - 10:20 am

  Well built, still very happy after 5 years+ of daily usage. 67k miles with zero problems. A pleasure to drive. Good mileage on highways. Everything works fine, distinctive design, swedish engineering.

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  What Happened to Volvo quality? - 2001 Volvo V70
  By theodora Watts - October 18 - 9:16 am

  4th Volvo, nothing but problems with major systems on this one. Exorbitant repair costs. They want to replace catalytic converter, A/C, transmission, seat belt, clogged filter to the tune of $10,000. My Ford Taurus lasted much longer for 1/3 the purchase price. Last Volvo for me.

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  Overall, a good car. - 2001 Volvo S60
  By dimitris - October 15 - 10:00 am

  Volvo has opened up to a new segment with this new, less boxy style. The car has been both a pleasure and an annoyance. Pleasure is the feeling of comfort, safety, gas mileage. Annoyance is having the car die on us (battery & alternator) on the day our first kid was born! Dealer service is somewhat poor compared to the average German Luxury Sedan. Lexus is classes above in that area. Volvo does make good cars, with safety and comfort being the key points. However, be prepared to sporadic breakdown and spotty dealership service. Volvo wants to play in the luxury league, yet theyre not there yet...