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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  Good all-around value - 2006 Volvo S80
  By fca - March 10 - 7:30 pm

  Bought for reasons of safety and value at end of model run (before the S80 redesign for 2007). Wife had bought our first Volvo (2004 XC70) and was pleased with Volvo ownership experience (good ride, solid, secure feel, and attentive dealer service.) Same engine (5 cyl turbo) as XC70, but quicker and better handling (17" wheels).

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  Near the top of this Valets list. - 2003 Volvo S40
  By jeffj-nj - March 7 - 10:00 am

  700 characters is just NOT enough room to sing this cars praises. I work as a valet, so Ive driven, oh, about everything. That said, there is nothing on the road today offering this cost/quality ratio. Everything about the car is just so... right. I had originally prepared a several paragraph essay about this, but I cant post it or even figure out what to cut from it. So, Ill sum it up with this: Ive put 25k miles on this car, and enjoyed every one of them. Considering several hundred of them were accumulated in one sitting, and/or during the worst winter NJ has seen in some time, thats really saying quite a bit. If youre looking elsewhere, stop.

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  truely a volvo! - 1998 Volvo V70
  By XC lover - March 6 - 10:56 am

  I love my XC. Has there been some issues not that Couldnt have been prevented. people Complain about the tires. honestly its AWD you MUST ROTATE THEM EVERY 5K other wise they wear uneven and cause strain on the AWD system! Breaks. its a volvo thing they tend to go through break pads. but if you Change the oil every 5k have tune ups done with OEM parts these cars will keep going! I have 122k now and have no issues, I also have another one that has 236k that i use for camping trips cus it has dents and dings oh and the whole going trough head light bulbs is easy fix just turn the daytime running lights off!

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  Comments - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By RM - March 6 - 8:13 am

  Love this car.

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  Drive to Believe - 2011 Volvo C30
  By BarentsBlu MA - March 6 - 1:40 am

  I use to be a SAAP 95 owner. After 10 great yrs, I was looking for another reliable and stylish car. I did consider the Acura TSX, Mini and Audi GTI. I am so glad I got the Volvo C30 instead. As a previous SAAB owner, I really like the drive of the C30 and the thoughtful European design. And, it costs less than 30K!

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  Availability of parts - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By sportette - March 4 - 9:40 pm

  I bought my XC 90 used, 29,000 miles on it. I hit a deer December 26th. It is now May 9th and I am still waiting for parts that the dealership says are on order. I do have the car because the missing parts do not affect the drivability. I still find this amount of time excessive. I do love the car and have always wanted a Volvo. I have had electrical issues with the radio changing stations by itself, doors locking by themselves or not wanting to unlock. I have not been able to figure out how to program the visor buttons to open our garage door. I cannot find the section that covers this in my owners manual. I am also disappointed in the gas mileage.

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  Its a beast and perfect! - 2016 Volvo XC90
  By Marc Korody - March 4 - 8:29 pm

  I wasnt a Volvo guy but the new design brought me right into the showroom. Then I drove all three models, and by far the inscription seats stood out at me. These seats are the most comfortable I have experienced. Overall the car has 21" wheels which make the ride a bit rough, but the seats and interior make up for it. XC90 is a family hauler and not the fastest off the line, but it makes up for it in technology, comfort and value. For $62k you get act that in MBZ would cost you $80k, plus its totally unique looking (I get compliments) :-) Be warned - the sales experience is not as refined as the car, just ignore the idiots and do your own research. Service & Parts department so far has been excellent.

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  Love it - 2002 Volvo S40
  By mormit - March 4 - 2:06 am

  We were looking for a new vehicle for my wife and had good luck with her older car, a 1985 245 Volvo wagon. She wqanted something small, reliable and easy to drive. We looked at the S40, VW Golf, and Honda Accord. Picked the S40 both on its own merits and our past experience with this brand. We both really love this car. It has a high quality, comfortable, safe-feeling ride with sporty handling.

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  Disappointment S80 - 2002 Volvo S80
  By s80 - March 1 - 9:20 pm

  I have been really unhappy with the purchase of this 2001 S80 Volvo. I have had numeriuos issues with the car. Transmission faulty, engine block was cracked on delivery. Volvo did stand behind the 2 new cars to replace these two duds!! However things did not improve..leaky, squeaky sun roof, dash rattle, must I go on! I am selling this car this week. I really thought that buying the Volvo would be a great investment. This is not the Volvo of the past.

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  Watch out after warranty. - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Mixed Feelings - March 1 - 8:33 pm

  I bought a demo with 6000 miles. Just after the warranty ran out I had to replace the oil filter assembly. Then I had to replace the sensor that controls the valve timing. Total cost: over $1000. Software is buggy after many "upgrades" under warranty. Clock resets itself. Stereo will refuse to play, but will come back on its own the next day. Bad idea to mix the entertaiment system with the car computer. No way to add aftermarket gear - such as an iPod (use FM they say - doesnt really work well at all). Advice? Buy a Honda.