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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  I like my new S80 - 2007 Volvo S80
  By Chicago Volvo Owner - December 4 - 3:46 am

  I bought the S80 because it had better styling, luxury, fuel economy and safety than the competition. Three months later, Im still very pleased. A recent 300 mile trip got me 31.3 mpg at an average 64 mph with air conditioning! Thats better than many so-called economy cars. It feels solid as a bank-vault, and definitely has that luxurious ambience.

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  Perfect Car for Me - 2002 Volvo S80
  By RCS - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I just got a new 2002 S80, the dealer gave us a great price, well below the TMV number, they said it was based on an existing Volvo owner incentive. The car is perfect for my wife and I comfortable, equipped with all the right features and no extra gadgets. It is our 4 th Volvo and the first front wheel drive one. The only complaint is that the turning radius is too large, especially compared to our old rear wheel drive Volvo.

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  The Last Volvo I Will Own - 2000 Volvo S80
  By hiram - November 29 - 10:00 am

  My S80 T6 is the seventh Volvo I have owned. This is also the last one I will purchase. At 31,000 miles the steering rack and most of the front suspension failed. Since the car was Volvo Certified these repairs were covered under warranty. However, the delays, fowl-ups and outright lies by the dealer service staff have forced me to demand the dealer (Transatlantic Motors in Hyannis, Massachusetts) buy back the car. The car is going on its sixth day out of service, primarily because of the service departments ineptitude in ordering parts properly. Frankly, I find more respect and consideration in the service department of the local Hyundai dealer.

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  1st volvo - 2004 Volvo S80
  By eplus - November 29 - 10:00 am

  The 4C option is great its like 2 diffrent cars /sport and comfort.Premium sound system way better than Cadillac I leased.Quieter smoother and faster than the 2001 cadillac seville.Driver seat very comfortable on long drives .So far at 5500 miles best car ever had.

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  this car is amazing - 2003 Volvo S80
  By chris staff - November 14 - 2:00 am

  the car is fast and it has great exseleration and has beutiful handling and stearing is very smooth

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  Pleased - 2009 Volvo S80
  By szmagsr - November 11 - 2:00 pm

  Own a 2003 BMW 5 and although I loved the look and price of the S80 I was concerned with how I would enjoy the drive. Ive only had it for two weeks, but were getting to know each other and I like it better every day.

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  Highest Maintenance Car Ive Ever Had - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Carndog - November 9 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car 1 year ago with 47k miles on it. I have replaced 1 headlight, 4 tail lights, and 1 side turn light. The side light fell out of its socket, bizarre. I learned how to reset the service light because it comes on so often for no reason. Zero AM reception. Replaced a center speaker cover that fell apart. Jiffy lube refuses to change my oil so I have to go to the dealer. Last week a metal piece to my sunroof fell and hit my wife on the head. A plastic piece below the bumper fell off and Im afraid to ask how much. The glove compartment squeaks. Other than that it drives nice and feels luxurious.

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  Paint it yellow and call it a lemon - 1999 Volvo S80
  By jzeltvay - November 3 - 10:40 am

  I was so excited when I first purchased my new Volvo. Even though it was a bit pricey, I was looking forward to getting 300,000 miles out of it. My first clue should have been when a position light message came on when I was driving it home from the dealer my first day. I have had multiple problems since that day. Under warranty the rings had to be replaced with <20,000 miles on it. I have spent thousands of $$ to try to figure out why my check engine light stays on. Over $4000 to have it fixed and 50 miles later the light came on again. Now my emissions light keeps coming on. 3 oxygen sensors later, it still comes on. Plan to put it in gear, run it off the mountain and collect the ins.

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  For under $50,000, nothing comes close! - 1999 Volvo S80
  By Mike Carter - November 3 - 10:00 am

  I first bought my S80 T6 after riding in a friends. Actually he has the 2.9 (non-turbo) and I wound up buying the T6. We both love our cars! Hes had no trouble with his at all! At about the 10,000 mile mark I had an emmision system light come on my car. The dealer loaded in the new software which Volvo released (free of charge) and Ive never had another problem with my S80. I now have about 75,000 miles on my car and it runs fantastic! The seats are an 11 out of 10. Without a doubt, the best seats Ive ever experienced in any car. The S80 T6 is really a wonderful choice! For under $50,000, nothing even comes close!

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  Second S80 - this ones a charm - 2004 Volvo S80
  By Tbuehler - November 3 - 10:00 am

  My first S80 was a 2001 and frankly it did not inspire me to purchase another one. If not for the other two people in my company that didnt want to switch vehicles it would have been a BMW or an Infiniti this time around. This car though has proven to be what the prior Volvo wasnt - solid with good handling and speed. All in all I think this time they got it right.