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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  Very Good Til the Expensive End - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Sandy - October 31 - 5:30 am

  My beloved 98 Volvo V70 XC AWD , purchased at 170K miles, made it to 230K without ever breaking down and stranding me. It always started. The ride? Silky smooth. Visibility? Great. Room? Plenty for passengers and 2 big dogs. Safety? Top rated. The heated seats? Ahh! The maintenance was average cost at Mavis, very expensive at the dealer, though. If you can put in your own light bulbs, youre fine. However, the fuel pump died and they want $1,900 to $1,300 to fix it. I now realize that this car, new or used, is better purchased by wealthier individuals. If I could buy new, I would certainly do so.

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  Great Car!! - 1996 Volvo 850
  By josh63 - October 30 - 4:18 pm

  I bought this car about 2 months ago. It had about 144,500 miles on it when I got it. I just hit 150,000 today! I have to say the one downfall of this vehicle is the gas mileage I average 26mpgs. I willl say in the short time that I have owned this car I have been pleased, I commute about 1.5 hours to and from school so its holding up to about 150 miles a day, which is very good for a car of its age. The interior is very comfortable, and very well designed, my driver seat heater quit working, that is the only downfall I have seen on the inside. The car also handles very well in the rain, I hate to say it but I almost enjoy driving in the rain now!! When this one dies I WILL have another one!

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  Everything I hoped and more - 2006 Volvo S40
  By osxboi - October 30 - 3:26 pm

  Had mine built to order -- about 10 weeks from order to delivery, and it was sure worth the wait. This is an awesome vehicle. With the 218/236 turbo, power is great. With the Sports Package, handling is superb -- 17" wheels and sport-tuned suspension. This little baby puts out when you most need it, like dodging lanes in rush hour traffic and on-ramp merging on interstates. Build quality is excellent. In three months I havent had a single problem. Everything works. Design is far superior to anything American, Japanese or German. Get this car if you want a good price, performance and lots of stares.

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  The Real Deal Rocket - 2006 Volvo V70
  By drcjj - October 29 - 12:30 pm

  Wow, Ive had this car for 5 mos. and over 8K miles and its only been in the shop for the 7.5k service, tire balance and a headlight aiming (set way too low for mountain driving). My previous car was a Porsche Cayenne S, always in the shop for visits, now Im free to just drive, YAAY! My friends were curious why, well its way faster, better gas mileage, equal brakes (Brembo) and the controls for HVAC and audio actually make sense at a glance. As for driving, Ive enjoyed the glaring looks from hot rod sounding mustangs etc. I stay with them as they grind and wail along attempting to show off a bit. My V70R just makes this humming sound, not very impressive I guess. I Love it!

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  Wow! - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Dave - October 29 - 11:26 am

  What a great car! I chose this car over the Subaru Legacy as I wanted an AWD vehicle. This car has plenty of power and feels very sporty. I love the exterior styling and the Volvo emphasis on safety. You will not be disappointed with this car at all. I chose the Leather, convenience package, Climate Package, Bi-Xenon headlights and 17" wheels. The seats are very comfortable even after having spent 3 hours in the car today. The only negative is the rear visibility. It is a bit smaller than what I am used to. With Volvo offering $1,850 cash back on the T5 model, it was an easy choice.

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  My S70 is my woman - 2000 Volvo S70
  By Titus Henley - October 28 - 12:20 pm

  The S70 is very reliable, comforable and unique. With its new 2000 braking system I can get out of anything.and the slogan "For Life" is true. I and am Only 18 and prayed every night to have an S70 and I finally got it. So theres no reason why a smart car buyer would not consider buying a volvo

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  S60 is the car to have - 2005 Volvo S60
  By Rick - October 27 - 10:43 pm

  WOW! This is the best purchase that I have done. I feel extremly safe and if I had the money I would buy another volvo for my wife. One of the reasons that I bought this car is for its safety feaures.

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  Early Failures - 2000 Volvo S40
  By Dave - October 27 - 9:10 pm

  I bought a Volve for safety and reliability. Safety I got, reliability was poor. Changed out both front strut assys at 60K miles, turbocharger leaked costing over $800 to repair before 80K miles. It is parked in my garage now because there is a front suspension problem. I am going to get rid of it and never buy a Volvo again. The check engine light comes on more often than not without a defineable cause. Shift handle now fails to lock in park position.

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  Freds Volvo V50 - 2006 Volvo V50
  By Fred Torres - October 27 - 8:43 pm

  I bought this car from Power Volvo Irvine. Picked up the car in Gothenborg, Sweden. Drove it for 4,800 miles in Northern Europe (Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, France) for five weeks. Its Autobahn certified. Lots of fun. This car is as good as claimed. Lots of get-up-and-go, extremely brisk. The car is now garaged here at our home in California and it has become a precious and memorable souvenir.

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  Reliable Fun - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Jay - October 27 - 8:36 pm

  I started out loving the car. Right after it went out of warranty I had a number of small issues. My dealer recommended that I contact the regional manager and I complained to him that all my miles were expressway and I was unhappy that these problems occurred. He authorized the dealership to take care of these and I was not charged. Thanks Volvo customer service! I have had very few problems since then and currently have 238,500 miles on the car. I have driven and would buy a new 2007 Volvo S80, but I do not like the new center console and the way my knee hits up against it is uncomfortable. As much time as I spend in the car comfort is important so I am now looking at a competitors car.