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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  v8 volvo SUV - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Robin - May 27 - 9:33 am

  solid, safe and with surprising performance. did 20.6 mpg on an interstate trip of 800 miles [doing a steady 80].

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  Excellent Quality and Value - 2000 Volvo C70
  By bruneje - May 26 - 9:13 am

  I have had this car now for 4 summers, I still have not found a car better styled and as much of a looker car. It does get looks and compliments. So far the only real problem I have had is with the driver window operator. The car is incredibly reliable and I would highly recommend

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  Love/Hate Relationship - 1999 Volvo S80
  By DME123 - May 25 - 2:00 am

  This car is so much fun to drive, but is too unreliable to keep. Three radiators, 2 transmissions, 2 gear shift mechanisms, more bulbs and sensors replaced than I can count, etc.. Towed to the dealer twice within a month. It is truly a shame that an automobile that is this stylish and enjoyable to drive is so poorly engineered. UNRELIABLE=UNSAFE

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  T6 - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By Greg - May 23 - 10:36 pm

  Have T6 for 5 months. Replaced VW Passat 07 2.0T. Runs excellent, real fun to drive. Very comfortable. The worth thing is gas mileage. Not to bed on the highways (24-25mpg), absolutely poor in the city - never more then 12mpg, same super and regular gasoline. Comparing to Passat 2.0 - 25mpg in the city, 35mpg on the highways.

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  Love love love - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By linette - May 21 - 1:03 am

  This is my 4th Volvo and the best yet. Purchased over a year ago and it has performed substantially better than any previous Volvo models Ive owned. Volvos safety reputation is what keeps me coming back and the XC60 is no exception. I constantly get compliments on what a nice looking vehicle it is. Has perfect blend of cargo space, but does not look or feel like a full scale SUV (thats good in my opinion!). Only downside is the gas mileage. I am spending a lot of quality time at gas stations! I would still buy another one in a heartbeat.

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  184,000 Miles and still going strong!! - 1998 Volvo V70
  By ryan - May 21 - 12:26 am

  I have owned a lot of Volvos, this is by far the best one yet. My car has 184k miles on it and it still going strong. it has only had a few small problems, (MAF, small oil leak and o2 sensor) other then that the car has been great. I drive all the time and this in car is the most comfortable I have ever had. The AWD is great in the Snowbelt where I live. just make sure you keep ALL 4 TIREs with 2\32 of each other. If you dont you will have to replace the entire AWD system. and when you replace tires you must replace ALL FOUR at once.

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  If they could provide reliable service.. - 2000 Volvo S70
  By Shelster - May 20 - 10:00 am

  I am an original owner. I love how the car looks and how it handles, and overall I love the car -- but I have had problems. The blinkers took 5 trips to the dealer to get fixed, then I gave up. Also, bulbs burn out on this car every day it seems. Goes through headlight bulbs every couple of months. Also, I had to replace the fan in the air conditioning. Also the check engine light was coming on, and the dealer told me that hardly ever happens - it was a $900. repair and the car was out of warrantee by 5,000 miles. Thank goodness the dealer ended up fixing it for free. What a blessing. I guess you can say Volvo and I really have a love-hate relationship!

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  Great Deal compared with XC90 - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By jstspeedy - May 20 - 10:00 am

  It was down to the XC90 or 70 and I chose to save roughly 11Gs and gain fuel mileage to boot. Nimble enough for city driving (NYC) though would have appreciated more power assist. Have S80, 850 T5, 960 and 740 in the extended family and feel that this is the most versatile Volvo yet. Slight harshness under acceleration but can get used to it.

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  great with a few exceptions - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By sopsylisa - May 20 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my AWD 2.5T with prem, clim, and vers packages for 3wks now. It drives great, and the mileage has been good (about 20mpg overall). I like the split tailgate and that the third row seats fold flat. The handling in curves is amazing. My only major gripe is the poor visibility. The small rear window and wide A,B,C, and D pillars make seeing whats around you very difficult. With both third row seats up, the head rests hinder visibility even further. Annoying small stuff for a 40k vehicle: The 2.5T is a little underpowered when it comes to accelerating from a stop. Roof rack crossbars arent standard.

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  Birthday gift - 2005 Volvo S60
  By JudyW - May 20 - 5:50 am

  My husband bought me the Volvo S 60 for my birthday. It looks incredible and is the most fun to drive. The interior is plush and it handles like a dream. I couldnt be happier.