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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  2004 S60 2.5T - 2004 Volvo S60
  By germayne Holland - October 3 - 5:53 pm

  I just bought this car and it currently has 206,000 highway miles, which I figured out but running a car fax and whoever the owner(s) were prior to me, took very good care of the car. So far I absolutely love my car. When I purchased it, the only thing I had to do is change the spark plugs (NGK Iridium), front sway bar links/stabilizer & the drivers side outter tie rod, with a wheel alignment afterwards. I repeat do not go to the Volvo dealer to service this car. If you have a regular licensed mechanic, that knows Volvos, thats sufficient. I purchased my parts online and then took the car to my mechanic just for the labor. I use mid to premium grade gas, it runs better with the turbo.

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  The T6.... The Best Choice! - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Ray_Travis - October 2 - 2:00 am

  Ive read some reviews here from people complaining. I cant understand it! I drive a lot and I now have about 78,000 miles on my T6. If I remember correctly I only had a recall done way back after I bought it. Ive done regular maintenance (very low cost) but I just dont remember having any repairs performed. I cant speak for anyone else, but I would have to say this car is extremely reliable. The only complaint I can find (and really not that bad) is the range on the transmitters. Theyre really not too bad but I owned a Lexus and it had a little better range. Overall, in the $50,000 range theres no other car even close. Very Satisfied!

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  Peppy Car Heavy On Safety - 2001 Volvo S40
  By RandyK - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I really enjoy the S40; it was quite peppy with excellent breaking for my driving style. I was especially impressed with the parking breaks grip on steep hills; no pressure against the transmission. I have had several of the problems others had: check engine light, brake/tire wear and headlight blowout. The check engine light was a recall upgrade, the headlight bad luck. The tires/breaks were understandable. Performance rated tires higher than H wear on all cars at 12-15K. Cheaper tires will last to 45K. Swift breaking usually means fast wear. Ill pay the extra for safety, as luxury cars in general are not cheap to upkeep.

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  One rockin hatch - 2009 Volvo C30
  By Colin - September 30 - 9:50 pm

  Great all-around car, exceptionally well-executed and excels at what it was designed to do -- turn heads! Love the power even with the auto trans, especially the down-low torque, and all the electronic goodies (Dynamic audio, sat radio, iPod). And oh, those Volvo seats! Incredibly comfortable on my 1-hr commute. My wife and I both get lots of compliments on the cars appearance, especially the all-glass hatch. I hate driving cars that everyone else has, and to date Ive only seen two other C30s on the road. Huge cache factor. Respectable gas mileage (23 mpg avg on a mix of city/hwy driving). And no need for premium! Get the R-design package, it really makes the cars appearance pop.

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  Still a very nice automobile - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Erics Volvo - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I truly enjoy driving my 2000 S80. I recently purchased the car used with 34K miles. I drive between 70 and 100 miles a day and the S80 makes my commutes a pleasure. I love the way the car looks, interior is incredible, and the stereo, its like being in a concert hall. The seats are superb. I feel very safe and confortable driving the car. The gas mileage has been very good as well, averaging around 25 MPG.

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  a smooth ride - 2004 Volvo XC90
  By Philly-XC90 - September 27 - 2:00 am

  The XC90 5-cylinder seemed a little sluggish at first, but now that weve got a few miles on it, its more than quick enough. The ride is so smooth that you really have to watch the spedometer to keep at a reasonable speed. Size is good; more than the RX330 at a better price.

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  Great Fun to Drive and looks good too! - 2006 Volvo V50
  By Brian d - September 26 - 1:03 pm

  I have owned my V50 since May 06. Have already done a few good road trips with it and am not disappointed. 15,000 km so far. Had mine special ordered due to wanting the base model (no sunroof, no traction control etc). Was worth the wait. 5spd shifts like butta and although a high speed pass on a 2 lane hwy may need a downshift, its a small price to pay. The ONLY beefs I have are a small wind leak in the drivers door, a squeaky clutch pedal, poor drivers side blind spot and useless door pockets (cant even fit a map in there). Great car for the money (better than others in that price range), awesome resale value and a really nice ride. Go try one... youll like it.

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  This is not the 144 my dad drives - 2002 Volvo V40
  By guy.sherr - September 25 - 10:00 am

  V40 rides very quiet. The difference between windows open and closed is just jaw dropping. Seating is comfortable, nice appointments, excellent finishing. 1.9L turbo accelerates strongly into traffic, although a little slowly with the A/C on. Mileage, windows up and A/C, highway was about 31.8 on cruise control in hilly terrain. Handling is good for a wagon. Swerves dont alter the lean much, and the car feels ready to turn at speed. Overall is well crafted and toughly engineered. This car may well outlast the oil reserves.

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  SUV lover converted - 2004 Volvo S60
  By ManhattanJ - September 22 - 10:00 am

  I am extremely happy with my 2004 S60 AWD. I have owned Jeep SUVs, with the comfy leather and such...I decided to convert to a car and test drove the Mercedes C320 4matic and BMW 330XI - I LOVED the Volvo. Also, you get more "bang" for your buck with the Volvo...This car is SOLID. Made the mercedes C320 feel like a piece of tin.

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  Cool car, Qick too - 2004 Volvo S40
  By jgold95 - September 22 - 10:00 am

  Recently purchased the new t5 for my wife and i have to say it is a pretty cool car. we traded in an audi a4 3.0 and to tell you the truth i like the volvo better. i never thought i would say that but the overall look and feel of the car is great. it handels the road well and has great pick up. so far the only issue i have with it is when storing two specific stations in memory they sometimes like to revert back to one another but volvo is aware of it and they are awaiting a software fix. But i do have to say the dolby prologic surround sound system is worth the upgrade. It sounds great.