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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  1996 Volvo 850 sw 5 speed manual - 1996 Volvo 850
  By mec12 - August 8 - 6:26 pm

  As of 11/13/2014 car has 213,888 miles. Recently replaced ABS/Traction control module myself. Recently had drivers seat reupholstered. Overall car has been reliable. Since I am 60", the excellent headroom and speed control has made long distance driving a joy. I use semi synthetic 10W-30 motor oil to reduce or minimize oil consumption. No oil leaks. Car has original engine, original transmission. Would not hesitate to recommend this car to anyone. Plan on keeping the car until a minimum of 300,000 miles.

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  Factory pickup - 2010 Volvo XC60
  By uncleo - August 8 - 2:10 pm

  We just returned from picking up our XC60 at the factory. What a wonderful experience. We were treated royally and toured the factory. We then took the Volvo and drove in Scandinavia. We drove super-highways, cities, narrow mountain roads, rough roads and smooth ones. The XC60 performed superbly! The safety systems are wonderful. The handling on winding roads is stable and comfortable. The car is quiet and responsive. We drove in snow flurries without any problem. Of course, at nearly $10 per gallon for gasoline a bit more economy would be nice. We anxiously await the stateside delivery.

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  My 2nd XC 90 - 2008 V8 - 2008 Volvo XC90
  By eastcoastjim - August 6 - 1:36 am

  We leased our 2nd XC 90 in August 2008, and couldnt be happier. Our first lease was a 2006 XC 90 with the 5 cyl. turbo, and it was a mediocre performer. Way underpowered, it worked so hard all the time it got horrible gas mileage and forget trying to get it to do a 50 to 70 pass on the highway. It had some warrenty work, but none of the horror stories I have read elsewhere. Based on the improved reliability cited by consumers reports, we decided to lease a new V8. It is light years better - it feels like a completely different car, and the gas mileage is about the same between the two. There are only minor differences between the model yrs, and the incentives made them the same price!

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  Love my Volvo Wagon - 2000 Volvo V40
  By Leah M - August 5 - 8:43 am

  I love this wagon and sadly now looking at having to replace it soon. I drive a lot, have over 208,000 miles, and have had three to four minor crashes in this car. However, I have never been injured and walked away fine. Three times I have been rear ended and the next day, no neck pain or injury, I felt nothing. The first time I found out the frame was bent from the impact! This has been a great car for driving and on gas mileage, with a few issues, but overall I love it and it has served me well.

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  Gas and Tires - 2007 Volvo XC70
  By crh - August 4 - 5:30 pm

  solid ,no mechanical fault with 36000k I get 19 to 21 in winter and sum.20 to 24,5 all hwy drive,you get better mpg at 77 then 74 or 65 ,uses more 68 to 74

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  5th Volvo - 2003 Volvo XC90
  By SK Love - August 2 - 9:13 pm

  The XC90 was my 5th Volvo. I have loved every Volvo and have but good things to say. I rarely have had to go to service in between my maintenance service. The XC90 is so much fun to drive and get around in. It is quick & a VERY smooth ride. Love it!!

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  First New Volvo in 20 years - 2005 Volvo S80
  By louc - August 1 - 6:26 pm

  The S80 is a tremendous improvement over by last 240. The interior is much more comfortable, guages and controls are excellent and the front and rear seat room is much improved. The ride is firm but very supportive, with very little road noise. The performance is very good, the turbo operates without lag, fuel economy has never been below 24 MPG. The car is a tremendous value whencompared to a BMW 5-Series or Lexus. I have not had any initial build problems, but have had many on my SAABS and BMWs.

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  happywithmyvolvo - 2004 Volvo S60
  By volvoforlife - July 28 - 2:00 am

  very good value compared others with similar equipment, does not stand out in one area as much as this car just does everything very well. The exterior styling along with the value and safety component make it the best car in its class in my opinion.

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  OSD and a great car - 2004 Volvo XC70
  By XCRubyGal - July 28 - 2:00 am

  First: be sure and buy your Volvo through their Over Seas Delivery program, you save $, they treat you like royality and you end up with a FANTASTIC car ! I love my XC, summer was great, now in the snow the AWD is wonderful, I feel so safe ! The seats are the most comfortable in the world. To me this car is a luxary car in the front and a very practical wagon in the back. The fit, finish, design, quality are all first rate. The only minor negatives I have so far are the Xenon lights (too dim) and the lack of USA 7 pin wiring for your trailer towing. Mileage could be better.

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  love my s80 - 2004 Volvo S80
  By asammyschulz - July 28 - 2:00 am

  love this car, the smooth ride and handling and all the safety features included. had a 2001 s80 and when that lease was up didnt hesitate to lease another s80. my husband is still driving our first volvo a 1990 740 that still rides as good as it did when we bought it almost 14 years ago. my daughters each ahve a jeep and a honda accord and always want to drive my volvo no way get your own!