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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  OK but not good for $38000 - 2001 Volvo S80
  By johnbull - August 11 - 2:00 am

  51000mi replace rear shock not warr. sun roof raddles at 75mph to 80mph not warr door locks broke at 22000mi. This car has the worst AM radio reception I have ever had in a car with a factory installed radio, and the dealer will not fix it! Normal service is too expensive. Every 30000mi. it requires more than a Cadi does at 100000mi.

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  It - 2000 Volvo S80
  By shakeitup - August 11 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned more than 4 new Volvos I purchase my 2000 S80 used becaused the S80 new seemed a bit over priced. The 2000 S80 seems a bit noisy (excessive wind noise) at highway speed), not to sure about the transmission it behave "quirky". I am concerned about the longivity of this car. All my other Volvos I was able put at least 250000 miles without any problems

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  Best Volvo yet! - 2003 Volvo S80
  By Nick in PA - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Besides the class-leading safety in this model, Volvo has perfectly balanced performance and comfort in the T6. This car is roomier than the BMW 5- series cars...both cabin and trunk. This is my 4th Turbocharged Volvo, and is the best one yet! I was surprised at how reasonable the cost was after all incentives were applied

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  Wont Go Back! (To other makes of cars) - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Volvo Family - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Bought car after driving a Volvo rental. Just loved it. The car just wants to be driven! Its been in for service for minor things and did get the software updated which solved alot of computer messages. This was first year for this new body style/model and there were some bugs to get out. Ive been driving it over a year and have taken it halfway across the country and back (among other, shorter trips) and have never been so comfortable as I have in this car.

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  Run away! - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Sherrill - July 31 - 6:40 am

  I wish the reviews had been available before we bought the car because we sure wouldnt have. It has been a nightmare. We have probably paid half as much on repairs as we paid for the car. We just keep pumping money into it because it is paid for and we dont want another car payment so we feel trapped. The body parts are even falling off (headliner, etc)

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  Volvo S80 Performance - 2003 Volvo S80
  By Brandosdad - July 30 - 10:00 am

  The VOlvo S80 is the finest car I have ever driven. Thle styling was new, starting with the 2002 model year. Car is roomy inside and holds 4 to 5 people. Steering, power, acceleration, placement of instruments etc. is great. Seating is extremely comfortable and is posture friendly. Well designed. Thlley thought of evereything.

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  At 138,000 miles,Ive put it to the test - 1999 Volvo S80
  By KenFuller - July 30 - 10:00 am

  Okay, heres the scoop, this car is great! I use my S80 for business and I generally run about 30,000 miles per year. I bought my T6 new and I now have about 138,000 miles. This has been my favorite of any car Ive owned. The first year I did have some reliability troubles. Volvo released the new software which the dealer loaded in for free. Ever since then, the car has been remarkable. Only repair after that was a light bulb and regular maintenance (oil changes,filters,etc.) Maintenance has been very low priced. Without a doubt, I would certainly buy another 1999 S80 T6. Its been the best car Ive owned!

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  Best car Ive ever owned, minor problems - 2000 Volvo S80
  By swsteckly - July 30 - 10:00 am

  This car is, bar none, the most fun car Ive ever driven. The combination of the good handling, lots of power, and immense interior comfort all add up the the best driving experience ever. Ive had a few issues, with this car I purchased at 44000 miles (with Certified warranty plan). The radiator fan controller stopped working, the sunroof mechanism needed minor repairs, and the front brakes needed repair. There were all kinds of sundry items that needed to be repaired (trim panels, stuff like that), but that is true with any used car. The problems were solved quickly and efficently by my dealer. I would wholeheartedly reccomend this car.

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  CHUMPMOBILE - 2002 Volvo S80
  By Master - July 22 - 2:00 am

  I was loaned an 2002 S80 T6 (loaded) while my older Volvo 900 series car is in the shop. The S80 goes when you step on the gas, but so what? A car in this price range should have ample power. Take some friends out for a round of golf? See what happens when its time to put the bags in the trunk. The seats are so inferior to the 900 series seats, its as if its not a Volvo (definitely unacceptable for tall drivers, the seat bottom is to small for long legs). The plastics used in the engine bay are totally inferior when compared to older Volvos. The glove box lever, the hood release lever, door handles, and dashboard knobs are unacceptable for any Volvo.

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  Excellent car - 2001 Volvo S80
  By Jonnie44 - June 26 - 12:36 pm

  I have owned the car for 3 years now (purchased as a used car), and have had no problems. The car now has 150k miles on it with the original transmission, and it hasnt missed a beat. I have only had to have the DSTC unit replaced ($800.00) and the brake master cylinder ($550.00), and I was able to do both jobs myself (neither was very difficult). I get 27 mpg hwy and 22 around town. I liked the car so much, that I have just purchased another one. I did have a problem with the radio reception, but I was able to fix it with a Volvo TSB that involved adding a brass strip to the antenna module, and now its crystal clear. Also have not seen any corrosion problems with any of these models.