Overall Rating |  |
S80's strengths are space, safety and comfort. The specification is huge and there's an impressive range of engines with plenty of power. It's hard to fault as a large executive express.
For
- Gracefully understated styling
- Excellent construction, high safety rating
- Roomy, high quality interior; good load space
Against
- Lacks the prestige of 5-Series or E Class
- Many executive rivals ride more smoothly
- Loses value faster than a BMW or Merc
Road Test
Size matters; and they don't come much bigger than S80. For buyers who want lots of equipment and a comfortable long distance cruiser, this is a choice vehicle.
Drivers like the clear dashboard and controls that fall close to hand. Those who demand sporty handling will look to 5-Series, but the majority of buyers will be very happy. The diesel and petrol engines have plenty of power, and the suspension is soft enough to soak up surface imperfections when travelling at speed on the motorway and A roads.
For sheer refinement it is hard to better an S80; it's very quiet and composed at speed, although around town that soft suspension can mean some degree of uncomfortable bouncing around.
S80 is very well built with excellent fit and finish, plus a generally good reliability record. But the Volvo badge does not help used values and depreciation is far steeper than German rivals.
Need To Know
JD Power stars: 4
NCAP: 4
Best Models: 2.4 (170 bhp) SE, D5 SE
Worst Models: T6
Replacement: by current S80 in 2006
Alternatives
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Star Ratings
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