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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  Great Car - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By papatony - February 17 - 6:16 am

  Bought it used with 92kmiles. This car is probably the best I have owned (VW, BMW, Toyota, Honda and Infiniti). The key is that it is a car that can be everything (sports car, station wagon, SUV, etc.). It drive fantastic and gives you a great sense of comfort and safety. It grips the road and goes. In the big snowstorm we just had, it sped forward regardless of the amount of snow on the road.

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  Expensive Comfort - 2000 Volvo S80
  By JohnnyBo - February 17 - 5:23 am

  This is a great ride. Smooth and comfortable. But the mechanical reliability is horrible. I have had all the same problems reported by others here; ABS controller; throttle, sunroof, universal joints. I rarely get in and out of service for under $300. Usually much much more. Ford reliability is showing through.

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  Volvo has outdone itself - 2008 Volvo C30
  By volvosmith - February 16 - 7:33 am

  Volvo has outdone itself in the styling department. I get people coming up to me all the time asking what I am driving and how do I like it? I have nothing but praise for this car from a person who has owned three Volvos of old and a Mercedes before this wonderful example of Scandinavian design. The Version 1 comes standard with a lot of features so I really did not feel the need to add anything much extra. Driving this car is a blast with great power. Get the manual transmission. You wont be sorry. And the whirling sound of the inline 5 turbo is fantastic. The build quality is on par with the competitors and the structure is as stiff as the old Mercedes, maybe better.

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  Fun to drive! Reliable? - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By PJM - February 16 - 6:23 am

  Enjoy the comfort, handling and many features. Very disappointed with fuel economy, tire life, radio (why do we have to press Enter when it picks up a dgital station) and other problems (a/c damper motors replaced, computer module which controls head beams and tail lights - at $400/ea plus labor, I hope the other 3 last longer). Cargo space is fine.

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  Love the XC so far - 1998 Volvo V70
  By pete_427 - February 15 - 10:00 am

  We bought a used XC a year ago and so far, despite a couple nagging bulb- related problems, we really like the car. The ride and comfort are excellent, it has plenty of power, it looks fantastic, and its great in foul weather. The "check engine" light just came on and we are scheduled to have it looked into. I hope were not about to enter "check engine light" hell (as described by other reviewers). Overall a really nice car, but Ill agree not what Id have expected for $40k when new (in terms of attention to build-quality details).

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  Never Again! - 2000 Volvo S70
  By autigergirl - February 15 - 10:00 am

  I had owned a 1992, 940 and absolutely loved it. Now I own a s70 and I am looking for a way to get rid of it. I have had numerous problems, electrical, leaking seals, faulty valves, you name it. Maybe I got a lemon, but my private mechanic tells me I am not alone! The last time I was at the Volvo dealership and complained about the number of problems I was having, the service rep. said, just be glad you dont own a S80! Those people hate their cars more than you do.

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  VOLVO XC90 -- SUPERB DRIVING EXPERIENCE! - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By DMT - February 15 - 10:00 am

  This SUV drives like a sedan. Its design, both inside and out, was well- thought out and both utilitarian and stylish. The safety features cannot be matched -- full side airbag curtains for all passengers, dual front and side airbags, ABS, the list goes on. Highly recommend this vehicle for anyone wanting an SUV, but also wanting a trustworthy name in safety.

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  I HATE this car! - 2001 Volvo S60
  By manofsteel05 - February 15 - 8:23 am

  This car is an absolute nightmare! Ive had this car for 5 months and its spent most of the time in the shop. This car has MAJOR transmission problems. $3200 to rebuild the transmission and its still not working properly. The front suspension stinks, it has major design flaws and wears out prematurely. I just replaced the right side CV joint, control arms, sway bar links and tie rod assemblies. $1000 plus. The cooling fan went bad (previously replaced in a recall) and blew out my heater core $1200. I havent dealt with my ETM but from what I heard its only a matter of time until mine dies. $1000 Do not read any of the early posts, the most recent posts are when the problems begin.

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  nice except for electronic glitch - 2003 Volvo V70
  By pittsburgh v70 owner - February 14 - 10:36 pm

  Overall, we are happy with the 2003 V70. The car handles very well, it is esthetically pleasing, gets good gas mileage, and has great storage. The main complaint is with a cold-start problem. The car would not start at temperatures below about 30 - 35F. Frustratingly ironic for a Swedish car. Left us stranded once. Eventually, Volvo tracked the problem down to a faulty engine control module after a few repair attempts. Since then, weve had no complaints. Would probably buy another.

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  200,000 mile car feels like new - 2000 Volvo S80
  By josh smith - February 13 - 8:40 am

  I recently bought my 2000 Volvo s80 t6 it had crazy mileage so i paid 2k for it body was in great shape motor is so quiet you cannot even tell its running. handles great! with more power than my A4 or A6. interior design looks great has a small issue with the seat belt buckle catching and tearing the leather on the door skin easy fix with one of those v seat belt support things. it does lack in the turning radius but it still handles better than any American car. a slight mod to the air box and the car is fast. over all it has been the best 200k car i have seen ill re review this car at 400k Im sure it will make it. as for costs with eBay and cl parts are no longer so expensive.