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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  Love the car, but it costs a lot - 2001 Volvo S80
  By MplsKen - January 14 - 10:56 am

  Ive had this car now for six years, and have loved it from the first day I drove it off the lot. It has been a good performer, but has not been trouble-free: - leak in the coolant reservoir * - radiator fan didnt work * - sway bar broken twice (* first time) - lots of position light bulbs burning out - oil leaking from the o-rings - dismal AM radio reception (never fixed) * = covered under warranty. I have also found the maintenance on this car to be painfully expensive. The doors also get dinged VERY easily. My old Honda never cost anywhere near this much, but I never loved it like I love my Volvo!

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  fantastic car searching for its soul - 2004 Volvo S80
  By milano-michigan - December 31 - 10:00 am

  This is a remarkable car. Outsatnding MPG on the highway (29 @ 80 miles per hour), above 20 in town...very comfortable (a little bit "spartan", though) easy to drive, cruises very nicely, does everything right....it just does not have the "solid" feeling, nor sporty feeling of a BMW or Mercedez. It always gives you the impression the "power is not going to be there...but it is.

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  The new standard - 2008 Volvo S80
  By Isam - December 31 - 8:10 am

  I have owned this car since 6/2008. What a pleasure to drive! I have adjustable suspension option and the car handles very well even on the comfort setting. I do not know how a BMW can beat that but I can tell you that the advanced setting will glue the car to the road. The ventilated seats are something very dear to my heart. The inside beige color is very elegant. I have an option that lets you change the degree of stiffness of steering. So you get Lexus soft and BMW stiff if you want. I have about 12,000 miles on it without a single problem so far. The xenon lights that move at night give the impression that this is a more expensive car. I truly believe that all Volvos now are the best

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  2-Year Update: After Two, No More - 2008 Volvo S80
  By dgreer - December 29 - 8:33 am

  This updates comments from 2 years ago, as the lease nears expiration. After 30K miles the suspension creaks and pops just as my 2000 model.Replacement parts by dealer never fixed the problem, Its built in by design flaw. Gas mileage has improved to 21mpg, mixed;and 27hwy.But my 04 Jag XJ8 is better:22/30, and much more fun to drive. Engine and transmission have been great, but small problems mount up, including warped brake rotors at 28K. Maintenance is relatively expensive, but is included on 2009-10 leases. Overall, a nice car; but at in this class,over $40K, I wont lease another, and would not want to purchase for the long term.

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  Hell Yeah! - 2001 Volvo S80
  By DavinK - December 7 - 11:13 pm

  I recently purchased a used 2001 S80T6 and have been nothing but pleased with the car. My only complaints are that it could benefit from AWD and a 5 or 6 speed transmission. The manumatic transmission it has is still good and fun to use though. It has been well maintained and only accumulated an average of 9k miles per year. I previously owned a 98 S70 T5 and that car was enough for me to trust the reliability and quality that Volvo provides, the S70 has over 200k miles and still going! All it takes is following Volvos regularly scheduled maintenance.

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  Not so Reliable after all - 2000 Volvo S80
  By Ian - December 2 - 6:13 pm

  I had always heard Volvos were reliable Safe cars and I came across one and decided to buy it because it was a good value for that price. Its really the most luxurious vehicle you can get for the price. There were many issues from the start for me. First the interior started to fall apart and that wasnt any fun because the prices for parts are ridiculous. Eventually my entire motor blew because Volvo decided that A plastic radiator hose was appropriate for a $55,000 vehicle and it broke off and blew the entire engine. Basically It is a very nice, fun, comfortable car to drive, but it is not worth it for the horrible reliability and price of parts that comes with the ownership of this car.

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  1999 Volvo - 1999 Volvo S80
  By jimvino - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Have enjoyed this particular vehicle but am disappointed with the computor system...too many problems with engine warning signs, etc. Also, sound system is not very good. A very comfortable auto however.

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  Keep a 2nd car (Japanese) as a backup - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Abhi - September 14 - 10:36 am

  My S80 was/is a fun car to drive. Hands down its one of the better vehicles to drive and responds well to tight turns, sudden accelerations, etc. However, it has been very unreliable. Ive spent a small fortune trying to keep this car alive and it has only 87k miles on it. Small niggles like oil leaks cost upwards of $500 to fix. The upper engine mount has broken thrice in 4 years. The emmissions error message kept coming on till I replaced the abs module. And now Ive a transmission error message which has been diagnosed as an electrical issue in the comntrol module but it cant be repaired and the whole transmission needs to be replaced ($5k).. Ouch ! Save the money and buy a Lexus or Acura

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  Not Bad Once you get it set correctly - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Dolphin - August 28 - 10:00 am

  This is a luxury car. Quiet, huge interior space, and great luggage capacity. Volvo sure did upscale their product with this vehicle. Absolutely the BEST seats I have ever been in, excellent for extended trips. The ergonomics are fine. I had to install a new cable for the am radio, earth fault on the original, and I am getting a spurious ABS STC light message. Oh yes, the message display screen seems to have a dark section in the middle of the display. Sometimes cannot read this display at all if the sun is hitting the display.

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  Horrible Experience - 1999 Volvo S80
  By crode22 - August 26 - 5:03 am

  I purchased this car with 70,000 miles on it. I had it for 3 months when the power steering column broke that was 1k to fix, a few months later I have to get brakes fixed, this costs 1k for all four brakes. Now it is leaking oil and though I bought it for 15k two years ago I cant get more than 3k for a trade in. This car is fun to drive but not at all reliable.