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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  Fun, but not the quality expected - 2000 Volvo S40
  By senoj - July 5 - 10:00 am

  The S40 is excellent with road perfromance, but the continuous maintenance really takes away from the fun. This car, in 2 years, has been in the shop more than any other car Ive owned. Very disappointed - 2 brake sets, four new headlamps($15.00 each), malfunctioning engine maintenance light, stuck cup holder (thats useless) and thats not all. Good car for people with lots of money and free time to spend in the shop. I hang on to it because it is a pleasure to drive.

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  I WANT TO CRY!!! DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY AND TIME !!!! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By xc90w - July 4 - 11:57 pm

  VOLVO YOU HAVE SOLD A LEMON TO YOUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS AND THAT WILL CAUSE YOU TO SUFFER GREATLY. This 2004 Volvo xc90 has been a nightmare for me. I spent over $2600 dollars this summer and it continues to add on up. my dash board turns off and i lose power to the rear of the vehicle. This makes this AWD car become FWD!! doesnt make sense but its true and i cant even open my gas door and i have to open it manually from inside. THIS IS THE WORST CAR!! Yesterday the tail light on the passenger went out and some of my front right lights too. "multiple bulbs failure" today i start it and they are all working. WHY do this to your customer VOLVO! VOLVO IS LIFELESS!!!

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  Outstanding - 2009 Volvo XC70
  By mark - July 4 - 5:00 am

  Just about perfect in every way. Looks good, drives like a luxury car, lots of power, quite, and large. well thought out vehicle.

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  My Dream Car - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Ed G.H. - July 4 - 2:00 am

  Always wanted a Volvo; finally got one! My 850GLT is the cats meow. Wouldnt mind parts costing less and more repair facilities willing to work on Volvos. My Volvo is mint condition and gives me the luxury ride I like for half the price of most alike competitors. Would gladly buy Volvo again!

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  Stylish, comfortable performance - 2002 Volvo S80
  By Volvo lover for life - July 4 - 2:00 am

  I love my S-80! This car has it all. I was torn between a BMW 5 series and my S-80, Im so glad I went with the Volvo. When i drive this car, I drive long distances. You cant beat it for comfort. Styling? Its a head turner. My problems have been so few and so minor that theyre not worth mentioning. Buy this car, you wont be disappointed.

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  Excellent Car - 2002 Volvo S60
  By har - July 4 - 2:00 am

  While this car may not have a true sports car feel like a BMW, Lexus, Acura, etc...., it is a solidly built, head turning car in a class by itself. It is very confortable to drive. The seats are second to none. Interior is well layout and trimmed. The 2.4t which I drive comes with a long list of amenities. If you are thinking buying any of the cars listed above, seriously consider looking into this one as well. You will not be dissapointed.

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  Our V70 saved my husbands life - 2001 Volvo V70
  By mandagabby - July 3 - 10:10 am

  My husband totaled our V70 last week. He hit an interstate wall at 70 mph after being clipped by a tractor trailer. He was rushed to the hospital but walked away five hours later with a bad seat belt bruise and a cut from his sunglasses. The car did not survive and Ive already bought a new Volvo to replace it. We bought this car at 5 yo and 65000 miles. Got a great deal, local family had all the service records. Besides being in the lightbulb of the month club, there was one issue with the throttle module that was replaced under warranty and never acted up again. We had the car for 12000 miles and only had to change the oil changed and replace two light bulbs. Man, do I miss that car!

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  Nice Car - Couple concerns - 2010 Volvo XC90
  By lhos315 - July 3 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the car about 8 months. I replaced a minivan w/very squeaky brakes. I was disappointed that within a couple months the brakes were already squeaking in this car. Ive had it in the shop a couple of times but they have not been able to fix it. The ride is a little stiff as has been mentioned. The V8 is great with a lot of power. I got the nav package and this system is pretty poor. The rt traf is helpful but this system cant find big time retail stores without typing in an exact address. I wouldnt rec buying this nav system. I too have experienced the buzzzz in the speakers which hasnt been fixed. Does anyone know what this is? Overall a good/fun/safe car to drive around

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  New S40 - 2004 Volvo S40
  By Dude 5 - June 30 - 2:00 am

  I love it. Drives like a luxury car with all the amenities you could want.

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  Great car with some problems - 2001 Volvo V70
  By j lion - June 30 - 2:00 am

  Love my car. It has had a good number of repairs over its lifetime. some attributed to high mileage and a lot of driving time. Some to what I believe to be poor design. The transmission has been our biggest issue. It has had issues with slipping in and out of gear. Overall I would buy another