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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  Fingers crossed - 1999 Volvo V70
  By daveyvolvo - February 20 - 2:36 pm

  My dad has had Volvos since I was a kid, both his 740 and 850 have 200k+ miles and only some odd repairs... not my 1999 V70. In one year we replaced left door latch, light dimmer timer, alternator, oxygen sensor, cleaned some part that got oily gunk in it, and the cam position sensor. It has taken 9 months to finally get the check engine light off. Fortunately for me my father-in-law owns a local mechanic shop and charges me parts only (still have put in $1200). My advice - if considering buying this car, drive it for 30 mins, stop for 30 mins, and drive again for 30 mins to see if anything shows up. This car is not very reliable and Im really disappointed in Volvo.

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  Mixed Results with the Volvo S80 - 2003 Volvo S80
  By Ronald Jay - February 18 - 2:00 am

  Overall, a good car but with some notable problems. The car failed to start when almost brand new and the dealer asked if I had another set of Volvo keys on the same keychain! It appears that their keys contain a microchip that has caused starting problems if together(this was not the problem in my case and they couldnt diagnose the cause). The dealer never mentioned this problem when I bought the car. Windshield wipers are weak and the car is not nearly as good as my old 1997 Saab 9000 in the snow. I have had difficulty making it up some very low inclines with very little snow on the ground. Comfortable seating in front and back.

• 

  Attractive car, but technology needs improvement - 2012 Volvo S60
  By rayg34 - February 17 - 5:06 am

  Ive been driving my new T5 sedan for about a month now and so far I am mostly satisfied with my choice. Overall, the car is attractive, comfortable and a competent performer. The engine is powerful, albeit a bit noisy when revved. The suspension is not a sporty as the new ads for the S60 would make you believe, but it will satisfy most drivers. The gauges are simple and fairly intuitive, but they are a bit small and are not well lit at night. Gas mileage is admirable - 23 average mpg so far on regular gas.

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  2 years with my S60 T5 AWD - 2014 Volvo S60
  By quattrofan74 - February 16 - 4:01 am

  My wife and I decided to downsize with the aim of lowering our overall car payment. My previous car was a 2008 BMW 335i coupe. I loved that car - its performance, handling and appearance endeared itself to me daily. However, I live in Pennsylvania and winters in it were never really "fun". Also, getting the kids to school became a chore - and a sedan made sense. I decided to lease this time around. Long story short, I got a S60 T5 AWD with Premier and Sport packages. Overall, the car has a decent amount of "go". Its no 335i, but it pulls off the line well. It gets a little asthmatic as the revs climb. The Sport package definitely made a difference in handling too.

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  If I were the Germans I would be paying attention - 2017 Volvo S90
  By Dr. Mark Sachse - February 15 - 12:14 am

  This car exudes confidence and luxury, less stoic than Audi and less "bling bling" than a Benz and hands down a much better cabin to spend time in than a BMW 5 series. Volvo is undergoing a revolution always a premium brand pushing further upmarket and not loosing their vision, if you are in the market for a midsize luxury sedan you owe it to yourself to check out the Volvo S90, get it loaded to the gills and youll spend thousands and thousand less than the competition and in many ways get a better car.

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  Headlights crack - 2003 Volvo S80
  By headlights - February 7 - 10:00 am

  I do love my S80. I have two complaints. I need more lumber support, and the headlights keep cracking!!! I had one crack in April, and figured somebody hit it. The other one cracked two days ago. That time it was just parked in the sun. If you have had this problem, or any other, seriously, dont just post to this board. Go to WWW.NHTSA.COM and enter a complaint. If that transmission slips and the brakes fail, THEY need to know about it.

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  My 1999 Volvo S70 sedan experience - 1999 Volvo S70
  By David - February 4 - 12:23 am

  Bought the car new and have ever since. Volvos are not worth original luxuary prices. Overall experience is okay. The 162 hp engine is too small for the car. For 172 hp, one needs to add turbo($2000 extra). At high speed with A/C running, it has no power left to pass. Interior noise and engine whinning at low speed are annoying. Suspension is too stiff and you feel all bumps. It has been pretty much trouble free and dependable so far. Good looking and excellent paint job and A/C. Master brake failed at 55000 mile. Repair is very expensive. Depreciation of all Volvos are abominable for European automobile. As bad as Jaguar.

• 

  A Lemon - 1996 Volvo 850
  By Pinny - January 30 - 4:03 am

  The 850 GLT is a money pit. When it works the car is fast and stable. It handles great and looks sleek, but I have had to sink 2500 dollars into the car just to keep it on the road. Each time I do it is reliable for about 3 weeks before something else happens. So far, I have had trouble with the fuel evap, both strut mounts (the 96s are famous for this), brushings, brakes, radiator, thermostat, entire front axle and tires. Broken but not repaired are the odo, antenna motor, failing dash lights. The leather seats all cracked. Aside from safety, there is no reason to get such a money pit.

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  A admirable luxury sedan, with a kick! - 1998 Volvo S70
  By lurking - January 22 - 2:26 am

  Driving this vehicle is quite pleasant. I am satisfied with the interior appointments and the head/leg room are adequate for my 62" frame. Even the rear seats provide comfortable accomidations for myself or other passengers. The T-5 high pressure turbo engine is rated at about 235hp which is enough to propel the 3,300lb sedan to speed quickly. Passing is accomplished with ease, however torque steer is evident when piloting the vehicle under moderate to full throttle.

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  Overall good, WATCH maintenance $$$ - 2001 Volvo S60
  By CB1 - January 21 - 10:00 am

  Bought for safety, performance, style and strong $$ value for features standard. Ride quality good, not very sporty handling (leans too much) and turbo lag with excessive torque steer. 5spd "adaptive" automoatic isnt your average automatic. I was told that the tranny shifts into neutral at a stop. When your foot releases off the brake, it shifts back into gear, creating a buck or feel of drivetrain slop. It is a strange feeling, but appaently normal according to Volvo.