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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  BOUGHT A VOLVO BUT GOT A LEMON - 2001 Volvo S40
  By jaykap - January 21 - 10:00 am

  We bought this car for my wife. Thought Volvo meant reliability and safety. Headlights had to be replaced 4 times. Check engine light would never go off. Brakes wore out after 15,000 mi. Ashtray door jammed shut. Cupholders were an afterthought. Tires wore down after 20k miles and had to be replaced. This car became very high maintainance. Ive had less trouble with my Jag. Dont buy this if you need a reliable car. I never got response from Volvo North America after I wrote them 3 times about my c

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  My dream car - 2006 Volvo XC90
  By Denise - January 20 - 10:24 pm

  Easy to maintain. Safest car Ive ever own.

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  I Love This Car - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By Laura - January 19 - 12:26 pm

  I got this car mostly because I needed a change from my previous black MDX and black RX300. I got the passion red V8 Sport because it looked terrific and drove nicely on the test drive. I love this car because 2 months after I got it I was in a collision (head on with air bag deployment) with my two toddlers and elderly parents on the way to my daughters birthday party and we all walked away with a few minor bruises. The tow truck driver and police officers all said to me "thank God you were in a Volvo." The dealer made my car perfect again and I love it more than ever.

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  S-80 problems - 1999 Volvo S80
  By WCG - January 19 - 6:46 am

  Lots of computer problems. Not my usual experience with a Volvo.

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  Five reasons to get a Volvo S60 2.5T fwd - 2004 Volvo S60
  By vooman - January 17 - 10:00 am

  1) The leather seats that come with the sport package are incredible. 2) The power of the car is right sized for the specific front wheel drive version. 3) The S60 receives a one rating in the five star ratin system with five being the worst, meaning that the Volvo S60 has the highest rating for maintaining the value of the car 4) Sleek and sporty looking but still a four dour sedan that makes the car very versatile 5) An incredible 8 speaker sound system and radio, even at the stock level. Volvo works very closely with Dolby Labs, Bose, Harman Industries, Nokia, Dynaudio, Alpine Electronics, and Mitsubishi Electronics.

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  2004.5 T5 - 2004 Volvo S40
  By bharkins - January 17 - 10:00 am

  I havent had this car for very long, but I love it. Its a really smooth and responsive ride. I got the sports package and the premium sound and Im really glad I got both. In particular, I find the aluminum to look much better than the fake wood. While there are a number of little things Id like to see added in this car, they are little. Overall, Im really impressed.

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  XC90 - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Maryland Volvo Owner - January 17 - 9:00 am

  After driving a Volvo 940 for about 11 years, I moved to an XC90 last fall. I am impressed by the handling and the safety features are typically great Volvo items. Wet weather mode and rain sensor have come in handy this winter.

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  Dont listen to the experts - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By V Hencken - January 16 - 8:30 pm

  When I read the reviews I was leary about the power of this vehicle. What they dont mention is that if you live at a high elevation where horse power suffers, the turbo charged engine is huge plus as you dont lose any horsepower. Also I have been averaging over 18 MPG in the mountains. Sure beats my Yukon getting around 13.

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  Stylish, Clever, Fun, Safe - 2001 Volvo V70
  By BHL220 - January 16 - 10:16 am

  I love my V70 2.4 Turbo. The clever packaging, stylish looks, great handling and fun to drive factor. Not to forget that Im not embarrassed to drive a wagon since it looks sporty and more upscale than most grocery getters. Reliability? Running great at 131K w/ some problems along the way. But cmon, this is no Honda/Yota. My Benz that cost 2x as much has 2x the issues and my new BMW has been in the shop more than not, and like my V70, is a first year production model. If reliability is top priority over form, fun and function then go Japanese. Maintain these cars and they last forever, not without faults though. Swede love.

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  The car that does it all - 2007 Volvo XC90
  By deb - January 12 - 2:50 pm

  I love this SUV - always wanted it for my family of four. Finally got it!! Because this is our main car (the other being a rusty "station" car) it must covers all bases. And, it does so perfectly with its capacity for 7 passengers, plush and comfortable interior, all wheel drive, built in booster seat (gotta love it), safety features that Volvo is known for, decent mpg, and first class looks for a night out on the town. What else can you ask for? Really?