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:

• 

  Like the Germans Used to Make. - 2004 Volvo S80
  By freeheit - June 15 - 10:00 am

  Despite its attractive exterior, the Swedish Volvo S80 is a sensible no- nonsense sedan like the Germans used to make. Yesterday my neighbor and I were noting how much more my 2004 S80 is like his old Mercedes than the current Mercedes are, both in the Volvos sturdiness and high-quality and in its lack of Jaguar-esque friviolity. If Volvo could have completely refrained from its (admitedly minimal) use of fake wood (or any wood) in the interior, the S80 would be the worlds most perfect car.

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  Volvo is synonymous with quality - 2002 Volvo S80
  By giocondo - June 10 - 10:27 pm

  I have my car for over 4 years currently has 104,000 miles and am very happy and satisfied with my s-80-t-6. 2002 driving my car every day and have never had problems of any kind. I give her maintenance when touched, very fast, good sound, stylish. is a car made ​​with quality. not by much.

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  Great ride - 2003 Volvo S80
  By vikingpwr - June 8 - 7:46 pm

  Best car ever had,worst dealership!nothing major yet,replaced the oxygen sensor,4 times the headlight bulbs ,trunk lock.Very fast break rotors replacement and they(the dealer) wouldnt turn the rotors.Radios AM very poor reception,problem with the A/C but it got fixed during warranty and knock on wood warrantys expired and hope not to see a mechanic for a long time.

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  Better than expected - 2002 Volvo S80
  By cb - June 7 - 6:50 pm

  I was familiar with the bad rap the early S80s received and bought a 2002 anyway for my wife. It was under warranty and I figured the bugs should be worked out by now. So far the car has been wonderful to drive and own. Weve had zero problems and my wife absolutely loves it. The 2.9 NA motor has decent power but is by no means a hot rod. Fuel economy is superb for such a large car and it is extremely smooth and quiet.

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  Better than expected - 2002 Volvo S80
  By cb - June 7 - 5:10 pm

  I was familiar with the bad rap the early S80s received and bought a 2002 anyway for my wife. It was under warranty and I figured the bugs should be worked out by now. So far the car has been wonderful to drive and own. Weve had zero problems and my wife absolutely loves it. The 2.9 NA motor has decent power but is by no means a hot rod. Fuel economy is superb for such a large car and it is extremely smooth and quiet.

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  Worst Car Ive Ever Owned! - 2000 Volvo S80
  By s80nightmare - May 26 - 10:00 am

  How I wish I knew what I was getting into three years ago! I have had nothing but problems with my 2000 T-6 and the first one (a 99 T-6) was taken back by the dealer. Volvo tried to make a really awesome car but put it on the market to let the consumer find the bugs! Shame on them! Mechanically, it is by far the most unreliable car I have ever had. My advice: SAVE YOURSELF A HUGE AMOUNT OF TIME, MONEY, HEADACHE, AND HEARTACHE AND DONT BUY THE S80!

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  Nice car - 2004 Volvo S80
  By Fred Burson - May 23 - 10:00 am

  I have been very pleased with the car. Rides nice, gauges easy to read. Cell phone built into the steering wheel very handy. Very easy to find yourself speeding down the interstate well over the speed limit.

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  Volvo Verity - 2014 Volvo S80
  By marshall burlingame - May 22 - 3:36 am

  A terrific car; attractive exterior, elegant but not overstuffed interior; controls are logical and strategically placed; very good handling for a non-sports car, very stable; very good excelleration in passing mode (300 horsepower turbo with AWD); leather, wood and all other materials are high grade; and with all this, a reassuring and obvious focus on safety (backup camera, blind spot warning and many other safety features).

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  volvo ownership - 2004 Volvo S80
  By La Vonne Stewart - May 14 - 10:40 pm

  Sitting in this vehicle is comfortable but Ido not like the center console. It is not convenient to have a cup of coffee while driving. And that mickey mouse pop-up console drives me baty as it doesnt hold anything properly. i also dislike the control for the side view mirrors. Your 1986 model was much more efficient. I hate having to hit the right or left first then adjust. Ive had better steering wheel adjustments. Take the 1983 Tyota for instance. I dont really feel I have complete control of this vehicle. It in a way controls me. And I would prefer push button passing gear..like the 91 240for instance. Also theres not enough room for C.D storage nor does it fit properly.

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  Good buy! - 2000 Volvo S80
  By nlhopki1 - May 14 - 2:00 am

  We have really been thrilled with our S80. It is fun drive, looks sharp, is incredibly safe, and has been very reliable.