Volvo S80 saloon in-depth review - Carbuyer

"The Volvo S80 offers lots of prestige for the money, and is very comfortable, but it lacks driving excitement."

[sjohnson]

I can honestly say the S80 is a good practical luxury sedan. Had a 2013 version and recently just traded her in for a Xc90. And all the S80 is very well built reliable swedish brick. Had no complaints about that car. Volvo for life.

[Krille]

All the taxis here in Stockholm are either Volvos, Mercs or BMWs and i have to say that the S80 is still the most comfortable of them all. The backseat in the E-class is as flat as a wooden bench!

[LegendTheAnonymous]

I have the s80. It's a really comfortable, reliable, well built cruiser. That's what it is. No more, no less. If you want a better driving experience and a nicer exterior coupled with bad reliability and a crappy, plastic interior get a bmw 5 series. If you want an average exterior, and nice interior, a high price and uncomfortable seats get a mercedes e class.

On a completely different note, carbuyer, PLEASE get your hands on the new XC90 as soon as you can and do a review on it!

P.S. Carbuyer is biased towards German cars, especially BMWs for some reason. I can now conclude after being subscribed to them for over a year.

[Conceptcreator]

i'll take this s80 over any german..

[AristotelisMitsiou]

I might sound like James May but Volvos make some of the best cars you can find. Actually Volvos do suite James quite well (they're both sensible for a start).

[Makukeisari]

swapped my 2010 E class for 2014 s80. Can finally sleep well, no need to think what is going to break next and how much it costs

[fhurley]

I actually got rid of my 2014 BMW M5 for the Volvo S80, couldn't fault it

[christopherstipp]

I own the 2015 Volvo S80 T6 platinum inscription. I have also owned the 2007 and 2004 S80s. The former two are still on the road with children. It doesn’t take Gold in looks but Bronze is perfect for me. It is understated yet very refined. Very reliable.

[confinez]

Volvos are underrated cars tbh. Comfy and Well built i'd say they are more reliable than german rivals too, but again not fancy exterior and "BRAND"

[gene]

Matt, My favortie show at the time. Steve Austin "The SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN" that noise was his EYE when he focused and looked through objects or long distances. He had another sound for JUMPING HIGH and anouther for Bending things LOL

[LRS]

Volvo´s are lovely. Have had 2, a 1993 850 and a 2011 S40. Two complaints about the latter. 1) Internal (and external non painted) plastics looked like they had already been recycled. 2) Resale possibilities. A friend of mine fell in love with the S40, sold it without hesitation, or else, it turns into a truly "Volvo for life" (purchase it and no one will purchase it back)...

[yamahaevo]

The numbers on the centre consol is used for presetted radiostations also.

[BlitzerProductionsOfficial]

I just sold my Volvo V40 R-Design '15 and bought a S80 Summum '12. It's a D3 diesel which is now programmed to 215hp/454nm. I absolutely love it. It performs very well in all my everyday tasks and especially the overtaking acceleration is suprisingly fast. As a family man, the boot size is also important. Which is 480 litres, it's about as spacey as S-class or Porsche Panamera has.

[DanieruShidebuteru]

Try the earlier model with the 4.4 V8 AWD. As reliable as a hammer (Yamaha-designed and -built) and most definitely will throw out any of your typical Volvo preconceptions! :D

[deathbastardable]

Something I've always wondered about Volvos: 
-The S80 rivals the E-Class, 5 Series
-The S60 rivals the C-Class, 3 Series
So, what exactly does the S40 rival, seeing as it is also a saloon?

[nczljwo]

As long as my S80 T6 is going to drive I’m going to keep it. 340hp (according to synopsis)is pretty much enough and it’s feels like driving while sitting on a sofa. So comfy, reliable, for me nicely looking. Consumption, honestly I don’t give a f for power it delivers. Love it

[thesrtdodge]

Excellent review. I own the estate version of this car (V70), and all you said is true. This color and rims don't go it justice but I still prefer it to the germans tho, so relaxing to drive!

[osamaFXX]

Automatic rain sensors and retractable side mirrors ! What is this? A review from 2003 ?

[SIMcityplayer]

The centre cubby is actually quite small, but you just said it was big because the rest of it is. Just like on the review of the Volkswagen CC, Mercedes E-Class for example. The door-bins are not big so you don't review the rest of the storage places. And other times you say the middle-seat is small, so the whole car is small in the back.

[arttafil]

Gentlemen, if you want to be impressed drive an 2005 first gen S80 PREMIER! Mine has every. Option known to mankind. Dual DVD screens in the front headrests and plays two different DVD’s simultaneously. Couple this with glove soft leather seats front and rear. Mine also has the completely single rear seat fold down option. Good for hauling 4 bodies should you be so inclined! BUT, my. 05 S80 Premier also sports a centrally located “refrigerator “”! For keeping ones wine and cheese at a proper temperature!, it is fully adjustable on the thermostat! I’m quoting my Volvo owner’s manual explaining the refrigerator! Up. Front there is a pop-up GPS screen in the center of the glare shield. A pilots term! There. Are more buttons on the “”real rosewood steering wheel! Under the hood/bonnet is. The real T6. Engine. Transversely mounted 2.9 liter, twin cammed, twin turbocharged six cylinder engine that delivers 276 factory rated horsepower. To round out the package is the $2, 800 USD sport handling package with stiffer springs, real 18” magnesium sport wheels and shod with 235/40/VR 18 pilot sports. There is no better a automobile to drive 500+ miles in a day. I’ve owned 7 BMW’S with 44 of them being M cars. I’d rather drive my S80 Premier any day on long trips. As for poor or mushy handling goes. Here in East. Tennessee we have a true “killer. Road” called the tail of the dragon! Lots of crosses and flowers are on the side of the road. My S80 takes it with great aplomb!