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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  Disappointing Fiasco - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Disappointed Fiasco - August 24 - 10:00 am

  Volvo should be embarrassed with how this vehicle has seriously tarnished thier reputation. From day one, we experienced multiple electrical problems, such A/C staying on after shutoff, molding falling off, idiot lights that indicated engine trouble, malfunctioning locks, doors, batteries, etc. Everytime car brought in to Volvo 128, service department claimed nothing was wrong. This car & most importantly the dealer were a complete fiasco that sheds Volvo in a light different from what they spent years trying to develop.

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  Car is fine, Service is a Killer - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Jackie T - July 26 - 10:00 am

  The design of this car is fine, but the service in our area is terrible. We have incurred almost $10,000 in repair costs not including regular maintenance. Thank goodness for the extended warranty. Three of the lights, including one headlight have fallen out! We drove away from a regularly scheduled maintenance without oil! We cant wait to get rid of this car, which is unfortunate. We really like the car, but the cost to maintain is a nightmare. I feel sorry for the poor chap who buys one of these used. We will never buy a Volvo again.

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  Noisy & uncomfortable ride - 2008 Volvo S80
  By Gail - July 19 - 4:03 am

  I leased the S80 at the end of Sept. I have noticed that the tires made an awful loud noise when driving moderate & high speeds. The wind noise at 50+ mph is unbelievably loud. I have been back to the dealer twice, 3 tires were replaced because they were defective. The tire noise & vibration is still there. the tires are Continental. My owners manual had tire info for 2 other brands. I guess Continentals are cheaper for Volvo. I am shocked by the poor ride from a supposedly good company. My VW Passat rode much nicer. I drive the same highways to work an hour each way, so noise is very upsetting. I will try to go up the ladder for the tires I should have had. I was told the wind noise is norm

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  great when working - 1999 Volvo S80
  By volvo s80 t6 - May 21 - 8:53 am

  had this car over three years and when it was good it was great, but had a consistent throttle problem that even the dealer couldnt figure out and also a engine sludge problem even though the oil was changed at 3k intervals, thought maybe this was a t6 problem but as i see the base model has repeat problems that are common with other volvos, these are obviously not the volvos of yesteryear.I would purchase another volvo, but definitely not a turbo of any kind

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  volvos failure - 1999 Volvo S80
  By e-man - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Inexpensive relative to others in its class?? I remember that write up! What Volvo doesnt charge up front they sure make it up in maintaining this piece of crap. The "on board computer" has been as bad as Windows XP! It has given dealers a new weapon to charge you for things that arent really broken. To name a few sore spots.AC(do the Sweds know what its supposed to do?), transmission problems, fuel pump(60K miles?), sensors, light bulbs?why? Many share this view...as I recommended (months after I first bought my S80) to numerous friends and work associates of which I had three buy the same model! All have spent more money then I have on problems.

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  Major disappointment - 2003 Volvo S80
  By puchpuppy - March 20 - 6:40 am

  Purchased car with 33000 miles and have been beset with any number of very expensive problems. The most expensive problem was replacing the fuel pump at 43000 miles at a cost of $1000 dollars and suffering an overwhelming smell of gasoline for a month afterward. Now there is a check engine warning that shows a code of failure of fuel system. The estimate on replacing the sensor is in the neighborhood of $800 dollars. The suspension system needs realignment every two thousand miles or so. Am on the third set of tires. Continually replacing headlight bulbs and other bulbs. I am 82 years old and have drive Volvos for years and I do not misuse a car. Am bitterly disappointed with this car!

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  Ive Never Hated A Car Quicker! - 2004 Volvo S80
  By Rockman1 - November 21 - 10:00 am

  I have never hated a car quicker. Within the first 100 km the exterior chrome molding has started to come off. Within 200 km the gas pedal does not function properly, one must depress it a full inch before there is any response. This is most annoying, and the dealer tells us that nothing can be done about it, that its just the way Volvo makes them. For the cost, I am exceptionally disappointed in this car. It now has less than 2000 km on it and we are about to trade it in on an Audi. Remember its really no longer a Volvo, its an expensive Ford.

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  Dont buy - 2000 Volvo S80
  By ACT - September 27 - 9:16 am

  Worst car Ive ever owned by far. Great ride when Im not spending money on transmission, wheel bearings, rattling moon roof, rotors, etc . . . Stay away.

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  rolling blunder - 2002 Volvo S80
  By michael torres - July 19 - 3:30 pm

  volvo touts its safety features but its hard to have an accident when the auto is in the shop for repairs. acelerator module, struts, turbo seal leaks are common. volvo knows this and wont recall. do i hear class action lawsuit? save yourself some headaches and look elswhere. these autos suck.

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  No more VOLVO - 1999 Volvo S80
  By skipper - June 6 - 10:00 am

  Can you spell unreliable. Let me help you! VOLVO 1999 S-80 T6. If time and money are no object, here is your car. You will need both for your numerous trips to the service department. If you enjoy seeing your check engine warning light illuminate weekly this is the vehicle for you. What an engineering flaw. Obviously others have had the same problems I have experienced, yet no releif from Volvo exists. I have steered numerous friends and clients away froming buying this vehicle. Could be a great car but sadly isnt. Look to BMW, Acura for better value and more reliability.