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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  XC90 set back - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By nathan - June 8 - 4:13 pm

  I was number 11 when i bought my volvo when it came out. i love the truck but here are some problems i experienced. Turbo lag @ 3000 rpm, leaks in tail light allowing water in, misaligned steering wheel slightly, an unusual sound in my engine that led to a broken transmission that needed replacement a year ago, depleted steering fluid @ 20,000 with reason unknown, engine hose leaking that needs replacing @ 30,000 miles, 4 tires worn out @ 30,000 miles, 2X changed front brakes, front rotor change last December. I have a Toyota that does not have most of his problem. Despite of everything I still like my truck, probably due to safety and looks, who knows

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  I thought this was a volvo - 2004 Volvo S60
  By androidv11 - June 7 - 10:00 am

  Nice exterior styling and sleek interior, though the back seat is a little crampled. 5 speed very responsive and quick. Sound system good though not as good as Japanese models Ive owned. Three significant events in first week of ownership; fuel line coupling broke rendering the car inoperable, Volvo would only tow the car 25 miles free (dealership was 31 from my location, right rear shock absorber squeeks loudly. Might consider another car next time.

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  Turbo Volvo S70 - 1998 Volvo S70
  By RKL - June 7 - 10:00 am

  very reliable car, sporty, relatively quick and handles well for the price.

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  better than most - 2003 Volvo XC70
  By mabess - June 7 - 10:00 am

  XC is a very nice car. Electrical not Volvo forte- three times in to fix door locks which locked for no reason- dealer claimed it might be loose change in my pocket! Scorpion tires must go-very poor wear. Steering is too loose. With that said, Im picking up my new XC 04 end of month!

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  Very Happy So Far - 2011 Volvo XC90
  By copsdoll - June 6 - 4:14 pm

  I purchased my 2011 XC90 in July 2010. I had a 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor that was totaled and I wanted something even safer. (Endeavor held up well) I have been very pleased with the comfort, the added accessories and the overall drive of the XC90. When I initially read the reviews before purchasing it, I saw many complaints over the gas mileage. I have not found any difference between the gas mileage of my Endeavor and the XC90. I am happy with the gas mileage. The comfortable (heated) seats, the sophisticated look and other added features I didnt have in my Endeavor, make me very happy.

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  Wed buy another....and we did. - 2001 Volvo S60
  By Volvofamily - June 3 - 2:53 am

  This car has been a joy ride....literally. No problems whatsoever and we just turned 105,000 miles. The only issue to date has been a factory recall on a throttle sensor. Rides smooth, great pick up, and has been a good car for long road trips. We upgraded to the XC90 for kids and our 75 pound English Bulldog (hope he can make the jump to the back seat). Well report on that later...

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  fun to drive, but only when it works! - 2000 Volvo V70
  By drj20 - June 1 - 2:00 am

  The car is not that old and I have had to replace, as far as I can tell, everything. The turbo (!), the brakes, the catalytic converter, and lots of things with mysterious names and big price tags. I think the car is really fun to drive and it is the most comfortble car in the world. I also think whoever designed and built it was having a bad day. As much as I love the car when it is working, I would say that this is a car to stay away from.

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  Great car, but noisy? - 2006 Volvo C70
  By David Murphy - May 27 - 8:30 pm

  Love the C70-design,ride comfort, power. Agree that displays could be better. Mine however seems to be a noisy car. Maybe because I have not had a convertible in a long time. Heavy sounding rattles have been hard to isolate. Dealer replaced bearings on the struts. Recently seems to be noisy at the roof connections. Would not give it up but am a little disappointed at the noise.

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  Not Bad - 2001 Volvo S60
  By freeworld - May 26 - 2:00 am

  Lots of squeaks, rattles, clunks, and electrical glitches. Otherwise it runs nicely, looks nice, and is EXTREMELY comfortable.

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  Awesome car with a few trips for repairs - 2000 Volvo S80
  By pmerch - May 24 - 11:40 am

  This car is very powerful and performs excellent. I purchased this used a few years ago with 85k miles. The issue has been the repairs such as suspension and the throttle body but that was covered from a recall. I must say its a comfortable car and looks great but it makes me nervous that a very costly repair is about to happen in the near future. Replacing the timing belt was not too expensive though and I recommend going to an independent shop unless you like to pay double the price and that can add up since this car goes in the shop every three months!