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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  poor quality service - 2000 Volvo S80
  By james grifin - November 14 - 10:00 am

  Too many mechanical problems. More than all 4 of my Vorger Vans added to gether with many more miles. Service is very frendly and make efforts to be helpful. But the quality of their mechanics is questionable. It would be very helpful if Volvo would publish a manual for this car,(not an on line manual), so that the owner can show the mechanic how to find or fix the problem.

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  new V70 R - 2004 Volvo V70
  By JRL - November 14 - 10:00 am

  Ive only owned it for a couple of weeks so I ant podt any long or even short term problems. Car is neat except for the seats. Thsy made the R seats with very aggresive bolsters which make it VERY uncomfortable after only a half hout of driving. Ive already taken it to an uhpolstory shop and had the seat modified. (I removed some of the bolstering.) A shame to have to cut into a 44K car

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  Money Pit Stay Away - 1999 Volvo S80
  By ddddam - November 14 - 9:46 am

  I have had almost anything you can think of done to this car Trans, ABS mod, rack and pin, strunts, oil trap, ball joints, and Im still having computer problems my back seat head rest only flip down when it is cold out and when the car feels like it, about once every two months my turn signals will not work and my air bag light stays on. I will never buy another. Thanks for ruining volvo FORD!

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  S60 rattles and repairs - 2003 Volvo S60
  By Jon - November 14 - 3:20 am

  I bought the Volvo based on price (5 speed was deeply discounted) and the supposed reliability. Other than an 88 Tarus I had as a company car, the Volvo has been in the shop more than any car I have owned. At 500 miles the cam sensor went out. So the first 10 days I owned the car it was in the shop for 6. Its has been in for rattles three times. Bad oxygen sensor needed replacing. Fog light "plug" fell out of the bumper. Lug nuts are rusting. And the rattles are still present. I like driving the car the car, the comfort and fuel economy,32 mpg highway at 70, but you have to live with a lot of minor issues that are annoying. Oh, and the check engine light is coming on sporadically.

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  10 Months later: XC70 Impressions - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By whr - November 1 - 2:00 am

  Good car, superb engineering on seat fold-down method for use of full cargo area, driver door had an annoying rattle -- dealer fixed on warranty; poor design and material on console lid hinge...it broke quickly and cost $175 + installation to replace...dealer service tech installed wrong color (QC...?), causing another return trip and "discussion" with the service manager. Mileage around town isnt too impressive...about 15, but highway mileage improves significantly (25+), and its fast on the open road. Overall we like it alot and have recommended to a friend who also bought one and loves his.

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  My first but not last Volvo - 2005 Volvo V70
  By Bridgewater - October 29 - 6:26 pm

  We bought this car uses with 50000km on it. There is not a squeak or rattle anywhere. There are so many hidden features that dealer didnt even know. The built in child boosters are amazing. The rain sensing wipers work perfectly. Built into the back seat, cargo nets that hook to the ceiling to keep the dog in the back. Fuel economy isnt the same as my Jetta Wagon even when Volvo says it should be but the car is much bigger so it shouldnt be expected. The bonus of AWD just adds to the cars worth. I would buy another without a second thought.

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  reliable car - 2000 Volvo S70
  By Bill Wellman - October 29 - 11:26 am

  purchased used with 50K on odometer.. plenty of power in 5CYL engine...dont really need turbo feature..weakest interior feature is coffee holder built into the armrest. brakes are above average as in body.Very reliable car in all types of climate..great seats for long drives

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  volvo 2001 - 2001 Volvo V70
  By alex - October 28 - 4:10 pm

  I bought a Volvo when my wife told me she was pregnant for a 3 rd time, 3 kids I tough Volvo would deliver. Transmission problem than the heater radiator broke got it change now it stinks like hell when I put the heat on and it leaks oil too bad because it is comfortable and nice but I dont know if Im going to keep it now I have a message that says check brake lights I look at them and they dont work so I change the bulbs and still dont work what should I do?

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  Good Car to Drive - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Jose - October 27 - 4:16 am

  I purchased my first Volvo 280 as a certified pre-owned in September 2003. I had a few small gliches at the beggining of my ownership which have been fixed by the dealer at no cost, namely problems had to do with rough idle, and system required maintenance. For the last year the car has performed excellently with just normal maintenance performed

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  Not all that great - 2000 Volvo S40
  By tnava - October 25 - 10:00 am

  I have one more year to go and I am ready to get something else. I have had to replace the engine, front and rear brakes, and the headlamp bulbs numerous times.