Overview & Reviews

Among luxury sedans, the Volvo S80 has always been something of an alternative choice. Through two generations, Volvo's largest sedan has spurned outright luxury and serious performance in favor of cutting-edge safety features and in-cabin technology. And, in a class dominated by rear-drive sedans, Volvo continues to tout the virtues of front-wheel drive, while offering all-wheel drive as an option.

There are plenty of premium-brand sedans that feel more upscale than the S80. There are just as many that surpass its balance and grip on a winding back road. Yet the Volvo S80 is certainly one of the safest cars money can buy. It also boasts some of the industry's most supportive seats.

For luxury sedan buyers whose tastes diverge from the mainstream, the Volvo S80 is an interesting car to consider. And with a price tag that undercuts many European and Japanese-brand competitors, it can be a sensible option as well.

Current Volvo S80
Despite its appearance, the Volvo S80 is only midsize in dimensions, which means it can seat four adults comfortably but doesn't have yards of legroom to spare. It's about the same size as the Acura RL, the competitor it most closely resembles in personality and performance.

There are two versions of the S80. The entry-level S80 3.2 is front-wheel drive and is adequately motivated by a 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder with 240 horsepower. Buyers seeking performance more befitting a luxury car will undoubtedly prefer the S80 T6, which uses a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 good for 300 hp. It uses the same six-speed transmission as the base S80, but power goes to all four wheels via a standard all-wheel-drive system.

Both Volvo S80s come standard with the usual luxury amenities, including leather upholstery, wood trim, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, power-adjustable seats and dual-zone automatic climate control. Major options include front/rear park assist, heated front and rear seats, an excellent 12-speaker sound system, a navigation system, a rearview camera, a dual-screen rear entertainment system and (T6 only) a sport-tuned suspension.

On the safety front, the blind spot warning system and collision warning system (bundled with adaptive cruise control) are worthwhile options for long-distance commuters to consider. The City Safety system -- which can detect an impending low-speed collision and then automatically apply the brakes to avoid or minimize it -- is standard. Although the Personal Car Communicator (PCC) is basically a glorified security system, its transponder has a heartbeat sensor to let you know if someone is still in your Volvo after the alarm has been activated.

Useful features like these are the main reasons someone might want to buy a Volvo S80. The utter comfort of the front seats and a reasonable price tag are additional points in the car's favor. In other respects, though, the Volvo S80 comes across as tepid compared to its luxury sedan rivals. It rides comfortably, handles predictably and stops short, but otherwise does little to engage its driver. And although its cabin has all the expected amenities, it lacks the unrestrained elegance and exacting quality of competitors' interiors.

Used Volvo S80 Models
The current S80 represents the second-generation Volvo S80 that debuted for the 2007 model year. Although it didn't change drastically in size or appearance compared to the first-generation model, this newer S80 moved to an all-new platform and adopted a new pair of engines -- the base inline-6 and the V8 -- not to mention an impressive array of safety technology. At the time, the available 4.4-liter V8 produced 311 hp.

The following year saw the addition of the turbocharged inline-6, then rated at 281 hp. Strangely for a luxury sedan, the S80 didn't offer standard Bluetooth or xenon headlamps prior to '09. A mild face-lift with a revised grille (sporting a much larger Volvo logo) and chrome accents took place for '10, which would also be the last year for the V8 model. For 2011, the remaining two versions got slight power increases (the base version from 235 to 240 hp and the T6 from 281 to 300 hp). Not much has changed since, apart from those earlier S80s lacking the current version's newly standard Bluetooth audio, multifunction color monitor and City Safety system.

Driving enthusiasts should also know that the S80 V8 could originally be equipped with a Sport package, which provided 18-inch wheels, Volvo's sport-tuned "Four-C" adaptive suspension, speed-sensitive power steering and ventilated front seats. These items became stand-alone options on the V8 for 2010, while the sport suspension could be had on the T6 via a new Dynamic package.

Prior to this, Volvo sold the first-generation S80 from 1999-2006. This car was similar in dimensions and focus to today's S80. It heralded a new styling direction for Volvo's sedans, as its curvy body lines were a dramatic break from the company's boxy designs of the '80s and '90s. Even today, the original S80 has a Scandinavian coolness that keeps it from looking dated. However, significant concerns about reliability have driven down its resale value -- good for bargain hunters, but not so much for owners.

Volvo offered the S80 with three different engines, two of them turbocharged. The most interesting of these was the T6, a twin-turbo inline six-cylinder rated for 268 horsepower. (Initially, the T6 displaced 2.8 liters; in 2002, Volvo enlarged it to 2.9 liters with no change in output.) Volvo claimed a 6.8-second 0-60 time for the S80 T6, but even with a standard four-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels, the car felt quicker than that. Serious torque steer was the major knock against the T6 model. Volvo discontinued it after 2005.

From 1999-2004, a naturally aspirated 2.9-liter inline six-cylinder good for 197 hp motivated the base Volvo S80. It, too, was available only with a four-speed automatic and only with front-wheel drive. In 2004, a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder known as the 2.5T joined the lineup. Rated for 208 hp, it offered significantly more torque than the 2.9-liter, while engaging the services of a more sophisticated five-speed automatic transmission. The 2.5T was the only engine that could be had with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. And in '06, it was the only engine you could get on the S80.

Acceleration was modest with either of the lesser engines, but otherwise the driving experience was agreeable in the S80, with a comfortable ride and sure-footed handling. Those seeking added control should look for an S80 with the Four-C adaptive suspension, which was offered as an option on 2004 and later models. Dual-zone automatic climate control, a CD audio system and a telescoping steering wheel were standard throughout the run. Options ran the gamut in the first-gen Volvo S80. In addition to expected items like a navigation system (DVD-based from '02 onward), a high-quality Dolby sound system and xenon headlamps ('02 and up), Volvo offered a rear-seat refrigerator, a dual-screen entertainment system and even a fax machine ('01 only) in certain high-line T6 models, which were called Executive, Elite or Premier depending on the model year.

Still, the best reason to consider buying a used Volvo S80 is its high level of safety. It earned five stars in all government-administered front- and side-impact crash tests, as well as a "Good" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Additionally, a full menu of side airbags and dynamic front head restraints were standard throughout its eight-year run. The one feature to pay attention to is stability control: It was standard on T6 models but optional on all other S80s.

User Reviews:

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  Please stay away from this car. - 1999 Volvo S80
  By jd1isa2 - May 8 - 8:34 am

  I bought the car last year and has been a big vacuum due to all the repairs. from the transmission, to the airbags, to suspension. Everything went wrong. Stalled on me several times. Bought it because of the Volvo safety reputation, but totally not worth it. Heard the later versions are markedly better but Im staying away from this car.

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  In one word: "Unreliable " - 2001 Volvo S80
  By michaeloo - April 28 - 7:13 pm

  Unreliable and poor build quality describe this car. Always something going wrong on it. Consumes too much oil. Enough to catch you by surprise. 7500 miles intervals is not enough for a bi-turbo car. How could Volvo suggest such long intervals?? Torque steer in this class is simply unheard of. But the S80 has it by the loads. Dont buy this car. Stereo is poor. Cup holders are a joke.

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  Volvo wears out - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Jim - December 19 - 2:23 pm

  I bought mine used at 28,000 and have put only 14,000 on each of the last two years. At 56,000 miles the transmission went and the quote from Volvo was $3,500 to fix. since it was just past the 50,000 mile warranty Volvo offered no assistance and they lowballed the value of the trade-in, even though I was offering to buy a 2006 S80. Based on the unreliability of the car and the atitude of Volvo this was the first and only Volvo my family will be owning.

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  Sooooo disappointed in Volvo - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Bfriebs - September 2 - 10:00 am

  Along with making a monthly car payment to Volvo Finance, we also make a montly payment to the Volvo Service Center. This has been the most disappointing car weve owned. In one year, the car has required repairs on an average of every six weeks. Problems range from electronic sensors going bad to shocks blowing out. After finding out two days ago that there is now an oil leak, we have had enough. BMW, Lexus and Acura will be seeing us this week. In fact, I will be trading in the car, since I cant sell it in good conscience.

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  Once Upon A Time - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Once Upon a Time - June 4 - 10:00 am

  Purchased a 240DL had the car for 17 years, 350,000 miles...purchased the S80 Turbo used and it has been a nightmare, went to the dealer to obtain the cars history and it printed off onto the floor..everything from replaced transmission, Huge electrical problems which constitutes most of the cars ability to function. My 240s outside to the day is still quality while this cars fenders are loose, rubber stripping outside is falling off...Once Upon a Time Volvo was doing it right, for themselves as well as the customers. The biggest problem has been that the company doesnt rep the product. Scary situation unless you have more than sense...

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  Bad Ergonomics - 1999 Volvo S80
  By GaryOwen - May 21 - 10:00 am

  The S80 dashboard layout & ergonomics are a nightmare! so many little identical or nearly identical knobs for different features. Inst panel lights fade in bright light. "DRLs" are really headlights on at full strength - too bright & burns out bulbs real fast. The turbo sucks - too much lag. Give me an honest V8 (or even a full powered six). The power steering is overly sensitive. The traction control is a joke & gets you stuck in the snow even with premium snow tires. The only plus is a crashworthy design. I doubt I will ever buy another Volvo. What a screw deal!!

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  Last Volvo Ill Buy - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Tony - March 13 - 3:53 pm

  At first we loved the car. Over time it became apparent that the quality of the vehicle was lacking ranging from cosmetic to mechanical. The body dents easily from anything, small minor accessories stop working or just break, and we always seem to spend thousands a year on maintenance. We also own a 96 850 Turbo and do not experience any of the consistent problems with it. The information center stopped scrolling one item at a time. The dealership said it was not their problem to fix since no recall...1yr after purchase. I wont buy from the dealer even if we decided on another Volvo.

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  The worst - 2002 Volvo S80
  By tkatch - February 1 - 10:00 am

  in the shop more than its been on the road.

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  Do not buy this car - 1999 Volvo S80
  By sonorandesertlover - September 20 - 10:00 am

  I had a 93 850 and loved it. Very few problems. Bought this car as a "Volvo Certified" used car, have had nothing but problems. Has been in the shop regularly, i.e., almost monthly. Have had bushings replaced, engine mounts, electronic throttle module (not covered by the extended warranty), warning lights going off all of the time, it makes an annoying squeek when you release the brakes, but dealer can not find anything wrong. I am not waiting for extended warranty to run out. Am getting rid of ASAP. Highly disappointed in this flagship car.

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  Watch out: poor electrical system design - 2000 Volvo S80
  By craigs - May 16 - 2:00 am

  Used, 1 prev owner. Within 4 months, had the following electrical systems fail at separate times; I had second opinion for repairs: Air cond. control unit failure Antilock brake system unit failure STS (traction control) unit failure Exhaust system - faulure Intermittent light failure Transmission control unit -- failure When the STS and ABS control units fail, they cause the transmission control unit to fail. Spoke with other S80 customers who had similar experiences. 1999-2002 models are known for having faulty / poorly design electrical systems. Summary Make sure your warranty covers ELECTRICAL AND has rental car coverage. Youll need it.