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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  Just couldnt cut it - 2006 Volvo V70
  By William - November 2 - 10:10 pm

  Purchased pre-owned to replace XC90 which died. Low mileage example, super clean. Had to have the extra room afforded, but just couldnt handle the minor issues over the two months of ownership. Drove 6000 miles in those two months with dash and dash VIN rattle. Incredibly rough ride for a "luxury" wagon. Traded to a 4Runner and it has a smoother ride. After only two months simply had to give up and eat the depreciation. I avg 35,000 miles/yr.

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  Volvo 850 Turbo Wagon Platinum Ed - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Pat Downey - October 30 - 10:00 am

  We purchased our 850 Wagon off a three year lease. It currently has 80K. The car performs well, gets good gas mileage is very comfortable, and has been fairly reliable. Repairs include rear main seal and ABS control at 50K. Radio at 70K. Otherwise maintenance has been routine. Has had pinging noise which was explained as a relief valve on turbo since purchased. Interior plastic seems a bit cheap. Has squeaks and rattles.

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  LOVE IT - 2001 Volvo S40
  By g75401 - October 30 - 10:00 am

  I bought my S40 to be a work car. I drive 90 miles round trip, mostly highway, and wanted a car with better fuel economy than my Expedition. So far, the Volvo fits the bill. Its very fun to drive and gets great gas mileage. I compare it to a Scirroco VW I had in the early 80s...very peppy without the requirement of needing to sleep in the back seat overnight on the side of the road due to breakdowns!!! Plus, my stepson has already informed me he likes it more than his dads S60!!

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  Suprise S40 - 2005 Volvo S40
  By Bob H - October 30 - 9:50 am

  I am very pleased with the price - value ratio of the Volvo S40. The performance of the T5 is nothing short of incredible. The mileage is also a pleasant surprise. I am averaging 27.5 combined city/highway mileage on mid- level gas. This is particularily nice since I last owned a Expedition. The new style with a set of crome wheels really sets off the fire-engine red body. I would highly recommend this vehicle.

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  LOVE this car - on my second one at 167K miles - 2005 Volvo S80
  By volvocandy - October 28 - 1:26 am

  This is my second S80 and I absolutely love this car. Its the perfect size, gets really good mileage and is Swedish non-nonsense luxury personified. No Lexis toys in a toy, just quiet and comfortable safety that you can trust, all in understated elegance. It also had the ability to lock in car seats for my twin grandsons that many cars to not - which is still another safety feature.

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  Great Family Car - 2001 Volvo V70
  By tracprod - October 27 - 3:16 am

  Wouldnt recommend this non-turbo version. It is underpowered if you do a lot of travelling. Good city/short mileage car. Solid, no problems. Most room for a wagon youll find.

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  WHAT A LEMON! - 2001 Volvo V70
  By v70owner - October 25 - 11:23 pm

  Bought this car in Sept of 2005 with 50K miles on it. We have had nothing but problems. Full transmission replacement in 08 under warranty, locks failed, seatbelts in back all failed had to be replaced, throttle control module, battery issues. You name it, weve had it with this one. As soon as were able, we are getting rid of this car!

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  XC60 became inoperable 2 wks post purch. - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By mhollowell - October 25 - 6:06 pm

  Im in the same boat as EX-Volvo (reviewed 6/11/09). I drove my XC60 for two weeks when it broke down, showing a transmission problem. Today makes 8 days since it broke, and I still do not have my car back (nor do I want it back, really). Ive been passed from the dealership to corporate and back a handful of times and am still waiting on some resolution. Volvo says that the valve body needs to be replaced and that my car is not the first that has had this same issue. Make sure to ask about this before you purchase.

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  S60R Delivers! - 2004 Volvo S60
  By John2 - October 24 - 10:00 am

  The car has been a delight to drive. The handling is excellent, acceleration and torque are as advertised. Brakes offer amazingly short stopping distance. The interior is great, especially the really soft leather (I have the navy blue and I would highly recommend that color)and the seats are the typical Volvo--very comfortable. This car combines sportiness with practicality quite well.

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  tire sensors - 2007 Volvo XC70
  By stella - October 24 - 5:36 am

  Only owned vehicle for 3 months, Applied winter tire package. There was a problem with the auto accepting the sensors. Dealers could not find out why. The sensors were removed and now have winter tires . They will refund me for the ??sensors??? Car drives well in snow.