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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  One Bad Hombre - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By swan23 - May 17 - 10:00 am

  This is the SUV for folks who hate SUVs. More like a station wagon on steroids. The most well thought-out car in years, every detail considered down the center arm rest which fold back to hold a sandwhich for the driver. The brakes a smooth as butter, better than my A6, the engine shifts smoother than any car I have ever owned and the only negative I can find is reduced visibility over the left shoulder due to the reinforced pillar which was a trade off for increased roof strength which I would trade anyway. The only car that comes close in price is the Touareg and the rear seat in that is claustrophic.

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  I love this car - 2006 Volvo S60
  By chicagoangel - May 11 - 11:46 am

  I traded in a 98 S70 with hesitation. I love this car. My husband loves to drive my car and he hated my S70. I only wish given the price of gas, it had better mileage. At the same time, I have gotten better mileage both city and highway than what is on the specs. Highway I get 32 mpg. It seems like Volvo listened to their customers in what they wanted/needed in their next generation Volvo. Now, all they need to do is get better gas mileage.

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  Best Volvo yet - 2001 Volvo S80
  By kenvolvo - May 10 - 10:00 am

  Having owned Volvos since 1972, finding the S80 to be so comfortable to drive demonstrated Volvos continued improvement. Though the improvement from my 1990 760 was not as striking as I thought 10 years would bring. Could be because I loved that 760.

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  Overall, best luxury and perf for the $ - 2001 Volvo S60
  By fish man - May 10 - 10:00 am

  I am a car guy, and I tested a lot of cars. Narrowed down to Lexus 300 (balnd suspension) Infinity I35 (tons of power, boring looks) Mercedes C320 (inferior car) and The BMW 330i (road manners are excellent, but lots of $ with similar options). I chose the S60 2.4T because the 2.4 is a slug and I did not notice the extra horses or torque in the T5. Lag is about what it should be, and torque curve is good. I bought every option imaginable except for the navi system, because its just not worth the $$$. Outside looks are awesome, much better than the others I considered. Definitely recommend 17 inch wheels. Enhances ride and looks nice.

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  No longer waiting - 2007 Volvo C70
  By larryh - May 10 - 6:13 am

  I already have 1300 miles on the car and have only had it since 11/30. I have been able to put the roof down twice and have experienced no problems other than my seat belt flapping. I also find the brake pedal to close to the gas pedal, I constantly bump it when moving my foot to the gas pedal. This car is definitely worth the money that I paid for it. I bought the flint gray with off black interior, the combination really looks great. The most annoying problem is getting into the back seat, I just dont like the seats work, would be better if manual.

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  All-around Family SUV - 2015 Volvo XC60
  By very41 - May 10 - 12:42 am

  iI never regret to buy this car. There is nothing I disliked about this car! Engine is powerful, handling is more than enough from me (dont usually drive on the rural roads, so dont do sharp turns). Fuel Economy is not a strong suit, but it is well above 22mpg for mine, which is not bad at all for a turbocharged V6 engine. Interior design is elegant, I got black dash with creme leather, also a contrast color steering wheel which I love, the infotainment system is well designed, no stupid touch screen, and I love buttons, its just so easy to use! Also, there are many little features that make you happy about this car, such as the interior lighting while driving and a lot more.

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  "I now take the LONG way everywhere I go!" - 2016 Volvo XC70
  By DRS - May 9 - 7:53 pm

  For my 40th birthday, my wife surprised me with a trip to the Volvo dealership. You see, a couple of years ago I had to bite the bullet and trade in my 08 XC90 for a Chrysler Town and Country minivan because of the kids. As minivans go, its great, but... its a minivan. So for my 40th, my wife said that we could trade in her 15 Subaru Forester for the new XC90! I test drove the 90 and it was great - really nice, but just a little too fancy. See, Im an avid fly fisherman and I was having trouble picturing this very fancy SUV with muddy boots and waders in the back and mud all over the sides. Besides, I think the new 90 lost a lot of its "Volvoness". The XC70 on the other hand - beautiful classic Volvo. Just as comfortable on the side of a river as it is going out to dinner and a show in the city. So I test drove it and fell in love. The whole experience made it feel like the car was made for me. So we traded in the Forester, which I never quite fit into comfortably (Im 6, 280lbs, but I carry it well ;) ), and leased the XC70. I picked up the car on New Years Eve, 2015 and have been loving every bit of it for about a month now. The built in booster seats are awesome for the kids, the fold down passenger seat means I dont have to break down my fly rods to get them in the car, the iPhone app is ridiculously useful, I drove it in the Blizzard of 16 and it handled it like the "blizzard" of 15, I was a little worried about the lack of touch screen but having gotten used to the controls on the steering wheel I found them to be so much easier - especially with the rhino hooves that I have for hands! Every time - Every single time - I get into it, I smile. I smile, and I take the long way everywhere I go. Hey, with these gas prices, whats stoppin me?

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  I love my Volvo! - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Marcia B Howard - May 7 - 5:16 pm

  I have almost 65,000 miles on my 2004 XC90. It has been a great SUV. It handles well in traffic and can carry 7 people comfortably. I usually have the 2 back seats down and use the extra room for hauling 2 kids and their "stuff " around town. There are blind spots but I purchased small mirrors that I put on the side view mirrors and that has helped considerably.

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  Great little cruiser! - 2002 Volvo S40
  By RQ - May 3 - 10:00 am

  Cant beat the lease on ths loaded S40! Nicer than my 98 Maxima SE. Already had the oxygen sensor replaced after one week/100 miles but otherwise a flawless luxury sedan. Definately recommend a Volvo to anyone researching Audi, VW, Lexus or Infiniti.

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  volvo-the car for the pensionars - 2002 Volvo S60
  By eugene - May 3 - 10:00 am

  nice car , no engine performance in standard 2.4