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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  Bad Tranny Was The Last Straw - 1999 Volvo S80
  By WSV - June 19 - 1:33 pm

  After buying the car used from a Volvo dealership, I had traction control module and transmission service urgent warnings within about two months. The car must have been rode hard in a prior life and had some serious electronic/mechanic issues. TCM was replaced after losing control and ending up in a ditch. Followed up by a near-fatal loss of power due to a faulty Electronic Throttle Module on an expressway surrounded by semis going 75mph (dealer replaced on recall). Last straw was another bout of Transmission Service Urgent warnings that the dealer claimed meant needing a new transmission at less than 80K miles. Knock on wood, my 2005 S80 T6 has been problem free for 8 months cross-country.

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  A Little Disappointed - 2000 Volvo S80
  By LGC - June 17 - 10:00 am

  Car has been in the shop over 11 times in the year that I have had it. Little things, nothing real serious. Steering, vibrations, suspension. I will probably buy a BMW next.

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  This Car is Possessed! - 1999 Volvo S80
  By wmscox - June 8 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car 2 years ago with the check engine light on and spent the past two years replacing everything trying to get it to go off and stay off. The car stays in the shop more than it stays on the road...it is a joke at my job, that my car is in the shop AGAIN!!! I can not afford to sell it, because I owe almost twice as much on it as the blue book value. It was wrecked and it cost $8,000 to fix it...my insurance company didnt want it either...Volvo should be sued for such shotty workmanship. This was my second Volvo, the first was a charm. I am very DISAPPOINTED and I tell everyone who admires how the car looks, not to buy a 1999 model.

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  Wish I never bought this - 2001 Volvo S80
  By nikjer - June 1 - 2:40 pm

  Light bulbs need changing monthly. Cup holder, rear ash tray, seat belts, 18 undercarriage bolts, and center console all have fallen off. Suspension had to be repaired twice. Now have a new message that the gear selector does not work. Noise from windshield is very high. Cannot get radio fixed, static is constant on am and fm. If I hit the lock button it will improve temporarily. Front leather seats are cracking badly although I have attempted to maintain them. Although car is paid for, I think a payment on a new one would be cheaper than keeping this one. We drive our 98 Dodge Ram with 160K miles on it if we go anywhere more than 50 miles from home. It is more reliable.

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  Overall good ownership experience - 2000 Volvo S80
  By DaveF - May 30 - 2:00 am

  Generally a pleasure to own (lease) and drive. Dependable all-weather vehicle. Love the twin turbos, combined w/ an excellent manual gear selection mode. Exterior styling, as well as the quality of paint/trim, is excellent. Interior fit/finish is just o.k. Disappointed by fake wood molding & squeeky interior panels.

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  Love/Hate Relationship - 1999 Volvo S80
  By DME123 - May 25 - 2:00 am

  This car is so much fun to drive, but is too unreliable to keep. Three radiators, 2 transmissions, 2 gear shift mechanisms, more bulbs and sensors replaced than I can count, etc.. Towed to the dealer twice within a month. It is truly a shame that an automobile that is this stylish and enjoyable to drive is so poorly engineered. UNRELIABLE=UNSAFE

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  Has the worst interior! - 2000 Volvo S80
  By msC - May 6 - 3:43 am

  I agree with previous reviews about the maintenance, every time I took it for maintenance was $300 or more. The leather has cracked and the door and window panels has totally come apart. Had window tint done at dealership it literally shrunk, they guaranteed it but when went to dealer, states they dont used that company any more and I need to find someone to replace it.

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  s80-t6 review - 1999 Volvo S80
  By yousef - April 29 - 10:00 am

  the best, most diltitful Volvo i owned, its fast and comfotable, it makes you feel wery well preserved from outside elements in this car. The suspention and steering has alot of room for inprovments.

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  I have a bad feeling... - 1999 Volvo S80
  By lynnetta - April 23 - 10:16 am

  I have had this car for a year now and have been satisfied but recently small problems have been arising and I have a bad feeling about it. There is a warning about the emission system that is quite alarming and though the car was advertised as a gas saver Im averaging about 21 mpg. I love the car but am thinking about getting rid of it because for the price I dont feel it is going to hold up like it should.

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  Not Too Shabby - 2002 Volvo S80
  By GG - March 30 - 8:03 am

  Its comfortable, safe, plenty of cupholders, plenty of leg room, gorgeous interior. You cant really ask for much more as far as the interior goes. I love the heated seats in the winter. It handles nicely, and its pretty fast for what it is. Im not sure if Id go as far to say that its the best car Ive ever owned, but it is a beauty. Ive had some problems with the tail lights, when I shut the trunk theyll go out and I have to whack them a bit to get them back on. The winshield wiper fluid got disconnected, not sure why. I poured fluid in the resevoir and it just poured out onto the driveway. Car wont start if the gas gauge needle hits the red area.