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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  A lot of hype - 2000 Volvo S80
  By judy spiegel - February 28 - 10:00 am

  Had problems from Day 1. My first S80 T6 had to be shipped back to Sweden for diagnosis. On the replacement,the sight lines are so bad that these are dangerous; there is not a blind "spot," there is a right blind side. Transmission doesnt always shift properly; it sometimes reverses when it says "drive," parks when it says "reverse," etc. And the car shakes when one goes from 0 to 5 on a dry surface! (Like pulling out of a red light.) The doors do not close tightly. All in all, a lot of hype.

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  Should be as reliable as Volvo used to be - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Jimmy - February 27 - 6:30 am

  I purchased this car with 54k on it, mostly for volvo reputation of durability and reliability (not any more). I have to change the power steering rack ($900) Cooling fan (before they make a recall). Every visit to volvo dealer is like going to HELL, they charge you for the aire you breath. Every thing typically cost you 10 times compared to the same issue in an american or Japanese car. I am already looking for either Honda or Toyota.

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  Beige leatherseats - 2011 Volvo XC90
  By leatherseats2 - February 26 - 1:44 am

  Reporting XC90 interior leather seats. I am very satisfied with the performance of this vehicle. I am surprised about quality of interior seats. I drive the XC90 every day back/forth to the train station; 10 miles p/day. Leather seats are beige and middle section of leather seats look extremely worn and veined, wearing business attire. Leather in the middle section of the seats looks smoother compared to surrounding areas of seats and scares easily. This flaw will impact resale value. Had to replace the frame of the passenger seat once because it cracked with my weight of 145 pounds. Used to own a XC70 for five years and its beige leather seats looked like new.

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  Trouble in Volvoland - 2004 Volvo S60
  By Clyde Beck - February 21 - 10:23 pm

  In may of 2004 my Fiancée and I traveled to Sweden to pick up my new S60. It was a wonderful experience and most of it was paid for by Volvo. Im in to my forth year now and early last year I had an issue that never got resolved. While driving one day my side view mirror glass began to wobble. I quickly pushed on it and that prevented it from falling off. Five days latter while making a left hand turn my passenger side view glass mirror fell of and crashed to the ground. I contacted my Volvo dealer where I had been taking my car for service for four years and they replaced the mirrors and charged me. I thought that wasnt right because it had to be a manufacturing defect.

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  Nice but Trouble - 2001 Volvo S80
  By Capecodman - February 19 - 10:00 am

  I love everything about this car except the continuous maintenance problems so I am giving it back at the end of lease. In 36 months, I have had at least 12 problems including failed fuel pump; keyless lock system; heater; air conditioner; bulb outages; imploded sunroof (that was big!); engine idle problem; failed ball joints; failed rubber moldings on doors; cup holder falling off; Loose bracket in the undercarriage; etc. The design is good but the quality just isnt there and if not under warranty (after 50K) then it is time to move on.

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  great ride - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By LMD - February 14 - 5:33 pm

  This SUV rides like a car. It handles corners like no other SUV I have owned. This winter it had plenty of opportunity to show me excellent handling in bad weather. Fun features inside (like the windshield wipers that detect moisture) only add pleasure to a great driving experience. Still waiting on reliability as this vehicle ony has 4000 miles so far....

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  Not as fun as my X-5 but not bad - 2005 Volvo XC90
  By Michael D - February 14 - 4:16 pm

  For the value, the vehicle is great. More than enough interior room to sit comfortably. Sluggish off the line but once you are up to speed, keeps up very easily with traffic. My biggest issue with the XC-90 are the blind spots on both the drivers and passenger side. Even with a quick turn of the head to look for traffic next to you, you do not always see it.

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  Love it! - 1998 Volvo V70
  By charming - February 5 - 10:00 am

  I have always wanted one and finally I got one. I absolutely love it! There are a few things that I dont care for. The cup holders suck and the rattling I could do without. It also drives a little bumpy but other than that heaven. A buddy of mine even took it off roading out in the sticks and it did surprising fabulous.

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  Overall, best value - 1999 Volvo S70
  By Dez - February 4 - 8:20 pm

  Overall, I would rate this car as having exceptional value for its age. Bought a year and a half ago, at 125000+ miles she is still going strong mechanically and electronically, and still looks like she just left the dealership. I have had offers to trade/sell for a new Volvo because the demand for used S70s is high (great car to pass to the kids). The only issues have been the oil system, which needed repair once one month after purchase because of insufficient oil flow to the cams, and replacement of the coolant resivoir. Repairs were due to normal wear/age, and not derived from poor build quality. Quick and smooth performance, intuitive interior layout, and timeless design.

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  Eats Wheel Bearings - 2002 Volvo V70
  By run4fun12 - January 30 - 12:26 pm

  This car has had 6 wheel bearing replacements in 130,000 miles. Spoke of record with an engineer at bearing supplier. Said the bearings are not adequate for parts of North American market. Inner wheels fill with mud and harden creating vibration when driving. I dont recommend this car if you live or travel on dirt roads.