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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  Money Pit! - 2001 Volvo V70
  By pdxfamily - July 4 - 3:33 am

  Purchased this wagon just before the arrival of our 3rd child. I wanted something safe and reliable. Every 6 months were at the shop with an EXPENSIVE fix. The worst problem was the throttle body (it was eventually recalled and we were reimbursed). The car surged and stalled and you never knew when you pulled out into an intersection if the car would hesitate and threaten to stall. Each time I pay for an expensive fix, I decide to just keep the darn thing. Then, of course, another huge repair 6 months later. The most recent problem, a vibration in right front area, is apparently an axle. Last one for me - my husbands toyota costs a whopping $150/year for service/maintenance. Done with Volvo!

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  Long Volvo History - 2002 Volvo S80
  By Paul - July 3 - 1:06 am

  We just bought this car as an off- lease Volvo Certified Used Car, trading in a 1996 Volvo 850 with 139,000 miles on it. I also own a 1994 850 with 125,000 miles. This model has great pick-up, is extremely quiet, and has all the luxury "bells-and- whistles" Id ever want! Straight highway Im getting 28 MPG on regular fuel. At almost $3.00 a gallon, thats 50% better than my Nissan SUV.

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  Alls good! - 2002 Volvo S60
  By kzoomn - July 1 - 11:06 pm

  Having previously owned a V6 Camry, this Volvo seems slightly under powered. But one gets use to the power curve very quickly. The Volvo seems to corner very well and I think the seats have something to do with the cornering feel. Gas mileage stays aroung 22mpg city and 28+ highway. There are many small features that once you become familiar with, help to make this model a pleasure to own & drive.......

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  Good Car - Thought Not for the New Price - 2009 Volvo S40
  By EL - July 1 - 10:33 am

  My main beefs with the car is that the base engine is fairly weak for how heavy the car is. Throw that thing in a Honda Civic & it performs quite well. But you buy a Volvo for the solid build & safety ratings & it could afford a slightly more powerful base engine [~ 190hp?]... it shouldnt affect the fuel efficiency that much. The T5 isnt that much worse on the MPGs. Otherwise, I agree with most of the reviews & the main reason I bought this car is because I bought a loaner vehicle from a dealership for a third off the MSRP. And thats a 2009 with 10k miles. Volvos depreciate so much & that makes it worth it. That pretty much sold me. And my wife wanted it. Maybe that was the reason.

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  I Love My Swede - 2006 Volvo S40
  By Barbara - July 1 - 6:46 am

  So far this car has been awesome and incredibly so was the experience of purchasing the vehicle--they treated me like a Queen

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  Lightening Vault! - 2006 Volvo S60
  By visquci - June 30 - 11:06 am

  After a long research Volvo S60R was never in my radar. However, it is the most well balanced car. It is like a japanese katana blade, it has a fierce power in the torque, horse power and the AWD really really HUGS the road. S60R is not only a fast car but the safest on the road. Volvo has finally stepped up in its foundation in safe now they are moving into speed. i love it when you turn on the car the turbo sound really speaks to me like its telling me to drive me FAST! i top this car at 138 i would had gone faster but didnt bother too. Well done Volvo you really impress me.

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  I Love My S80 - 1999 Volvo S80
  By eyefixer - June 28 - 10:00 am

  In 1999 I decided to trade my 1996 Lexus and make the change to the new S80. I am so glad I did. This has to be the best car I have ever owned. The dealer upgraded the cars computer software and I think they also did some sort of recall, but besides that it has been completely trouble free. The maintenance at the Volvo dealership has been extremely cheap to do (especially compared to the high maintenance on the Lexus). I would have to rate this car more dependable than my last Lexus too! The seats in this car are a dream. I can go on and on..... I love driving my S80 every chance I get. Its just such an enjoyable car to own.

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  Dont let this happen to you - 1999 Volvo S80
  By LarryA - June 28 - 10:00 am

  A perfectly lovely car to drive when working, coupled with dismal reliability. Every major system has been replaced on this car, some repeatedly, (4 transmissions to date). Repair costs out of warranty exceeded the book value of the car (19K) causing the extended service contract company to deny claims. Ive owned it from new and its been a non-stop nightmare. Many reviews here from folks who bought the car used and drove it 3,000 miles. Just wait!

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  Good but not great - 1998 Volvo S70
  By ORBoys - June 28 - 10:00 am

  I traded in a 2000 Legacy GT Limited for the 98 GLT. Much prefer this car (seats awesome, stereo great and wonderful engine)but there is room for improvement. Windshield wipers to slow, brake dust, along with other minor mechanical things (Oxy sensor). No real problems and plan to but new model when piggy-bank is full.

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  My wife loves it - 2004 Volvo S40
  By Jeff Robinson - June 28 - 10:00 am

  My wife get her S40 5 days ago. She thiniks this the best little car for her 49" body. It is easy to drive and very good looking. She says she fields safe in it and it is speedy. The seats are my favorite I could sleep for days in them. I have had some hight end cars and now driving a Land Rover Disco and The little Volvos seats are above all of them.