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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  its a great car happy we picked it - 2006 Volvo V70
  By frankie - May 12 - 11:20 pm

  we looked at vans and other cars out nothing jumped out at us like it. we have a large family and was able to order the 3rd roll this gave us a total of 7 seat. we are happy to own it and if things keep going like it is we will never buy any other car but a volvo.

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  Six Months In, Still Pleased - 2011 Volvo S60
  By originalsix - May 11 - 7:37 am

  No other mid size luxury sedan can compete with the value offered in the S60 T6. Its faster than 2003 BMW 530, it has AWD, bluetooth and ipod, has 5-year free maintenance. All for around $15k lower than the BMW,Audi,Lexus, etc. On the last day of March 11, the dealer gave me invoice price (and preinstalled Bliss and keyless entry at no cost). - Drives more like a Lexus/Infinity than a German car.

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  One day, it may save my life. - 2004 Volvo S40
  By Darius - May 7 - 2:00 am

  Purchased a Cherry Red S40 w/ Sports Pkg for $20.3k. Good dealership, much nicer than Ford. The car is pretty quiet and fairly smooth. Im still in the break-in period so Im drying to push this puppy to 5k RPM after 2k miles. No real complaints except the seat adjustments are much different than the Lexus. Accidentally ran a red light on the other day and stopped before hitting another car at the intersection. Good brakes. Two thumbs up.

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  THE MOST COMFORTABLE MID-SIZE SUV - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By MattValerio - May 7 - 2:00 am

  Unless you want to cough up another $10- 15K for an Escalade, this is probably the most confortable mid-size SUV. It wont tow very much, but the T6 is great over the road, quick, quiet, comfortable, and responsive. It also is distinctive looking enough to get glances from even the most snobby of the folks who want to spend more than $40,000 on an SUV.

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  Best SUV - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By YBN2 - May 7 - 2:00 am

  I have had this vehicle for 5 months and enjoy driving it. I was loooking at the Honda Pilot and decided to get the XC90 because of the safety features.

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  Has the worst interior! - 2000 Volvo S80
  By msC - May 6 - 3:43 am

  I agree with previous reviews about the maintenance, every time I took it for maintenance was $300 or more. The leather has cracked and the door and window panels has totally come apart. Had window tint done at dealership it literally shrunk, they guaranteed it but when went to dealer, states they dont used that company any more and I need to find someone to replace it.

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  I love my car - 1999 Volvo V70
  By joemama - May 4 - 2:00 am

  My car is very quick! No major problems at 50,000 miles.This is my third Volvo , and although it is not as heavy duty, I would still expect to get at least 300,000 miles as I did on my last Volvo.( Car is still running fine, I gave it to a friend.)

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  Im Glad Its Gone - 2000 Volvo S40
  By Mrs. Showers - May 4 - 2:00 am

  I have never had so many problems with a car in my life. It has spent time in the shop (averaged out) every four months. It was in 33 days at one point for a cracked battery casing which caused battery acid to spew in the engine compartment. The control module and several other parts had to be replaced. The headlights also burned out frequently. The mileage never impressed me. Not enough room for more than 1 passenger.I took a bath financially to get rid of this leased vehicle and Im glad I did. I will say that I felt like I was in a foreign film when I went zipping down our narrow side streets.

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  NEVER AGAIN! - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By NYArtist - May 4 - 2:00 am

  I just purchased a 2003 XC with 130,000 miles. I have loved my 93 volvo wagon but decided it was time for something new. The mechanic checked it out but the fist day I drove it, today, the car wouldnt start. Low Engine Response. I may need a new engine. This is a the mother of all car nightmares. Never again Volvo. Im done with you!

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  worst car ever !!! - 2001 Volvo V70
  By Los Cabos - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Replace transmission 2 times going to third. Its worst car ever !! Avoid Volvo brand!