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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  Poor Engine Performance - 2000 Volvo S80
  By lbyers - April 13 - 10:10 am

  My 2000 S-80 has 87,00 miles on it. I purchased it in Oct of 2000 with 18,000 miles on it. The computer was replaced about 2 years later and thats when the problems started. My car was never the same. Now I am having problems with the mass air flow sensor. Every 6 months it needs replaced. Yet when the remove the code from the computer, it runs fine for about 2 weeks. And now it is starting to have electrical issues, in addition to eating head and tail lights.

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  Great Drive, Bad Car - 2001 Volvo S80
  By KJHOG92 - March 29 - 11:40 pm

  Ive had this car right after a transport company owned it for less than a year. Its great to drive, its slow, but steering feels great, control is unbelievable. Ive had this car up to 140 on the highway, was straight as an arrow, not even a vibration. Ive taken this car on exit ramps at 80 mph. The car just grips the road. And it is so comfortable. I just love that aspect of the car. But the problem is the car isnt built right. The Sunroof has been replaced twice and doesnt work anymore, my front window barely work, everything is plastic and is just falling apart. New Tranny at 99,000 and the engine has an oil problem. And it sucks the fuel. If you have deep pockets than its good.

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  Volvo - 2001 Volvo S80
  By Mike BJ - March 26 - 2:00 am

  Volvo is a very good car. I had this car 2 years. It beats my 1991 Ford Explorer that lasted two years and my 1997 Linclon Town Car that lasted one year. It still doesnt beat my 1992 Acura that lasted from 1992-1997 and my wifes Honda Accord that lasted 1987- 1997. I would always recomend Volvo. The only problem is it had 3 electrical problems.

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  Do not buy this car - 1999 Volvo S80
  By texasgirl - February 28 - 2:00 am

  At first I loved it, even though the right blinker was hanging out of the car when I got home from the dealership. That has happened two more times. The check engine light comes on every other time you get gas. The air conditioner went out (on a road trip, in summer, in TX, with a baby. Bushings had to be replaced. I have had 5 new 17" tires (never had that problem with any other car). The ride is no longer quiet. A lot of little things that add up to severe annoyance!

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  Buyer Beware - 1999 Volvo S80
  By dummy - December 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought my S80 T6 on eBay (I know-what was I thinking). In the 8 mos. Ive had the vehicle, Ive dumped over $3000 in repairs. Seems like every time I take it to the shop (which is often) it costs $600. Its really too bad, because this is a great driving car with exceptional comfort and interior features. I wont buy another Volvo because of this, and its dissapointing.

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  EXTREMELY high maintenance - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Ext HIGH Maintenance - October 17 - 10:00 am

  Maybe they have worked the kinks out by now, but after my experience with my S80 I will NEVER own another Volvo again. It has been EXTREMELY high maintenance, in the shop for warranty repairs over 30 times in 4 years and drives poorly. It does not "hold the road" and over-sensitive steering makes it almost dangerous in hairy situations. I would sell it but the resale value is NOTHING!!! $16K for a low mileage car I paid $42K for... I bought it because I loved the way it looked and I have been regretting it ever since it went to the shop for the first time with only 800 miles on it.

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  Disappointment S80 - 2002 Volvo S80
  By s80 - March 1 - 9:20 pm

  I have been really unhappy with the purchase of this 2001 S80 Volvo. I have had numeriuos issues with the car. Transmission faulty, engine block was cracked on delivery. Volvo did stand behind the 2 new cars to replace these two duds!! However things did not improve..leaky, squeaky sun roof, dash rattle, must I go on! I am selling this car this week. I really thought that buying the Volvo would be a great investment. This is not the Volvo of the past.

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  My Volvo - 2004 Volvo S80
  By arnoldsail - November 23 - 2:00 am

  The car is a great disappointment. It handles like a truck and steers like a truck. The break and accelerator pedals are dsngerously close together. The brakes are very unreliable. Some of the time they engage near the top and at other times I have to push all the way down before they engage. The dealer tells me that is normal. The dar has the worst power seats I ever had.

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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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  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.