Volvo S80 Saloon full 9 point review
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Performance
There are a couple of petrol engines to choose from - a turbocharged 2.5 and the 4.4 V8 that comes with all-wheel drive - but the diesel-engined models make the most sense. There’s the 107bhp 1.6, the 134bhp 2.0 - which offers the best compromise between performance and economy - the 173bhp 2.4 and 203bhp D5. All accelerate smoothly and are relaxed when cruising, but the auto gearbox can be over-eager to kick down.
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Ride & Handling
The Dynamic Chassis makes the ride jittery on most surfaces, and thumpy on poorly-finished roads. As a result, we’d opt for the Comfort Chassis, a no-cost option, which actually gives just as sporting a drive. The optional Active Four-C suspension automatically adjusts the damper settings according to road conditions and has three selectable settings.
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Refinement
The S80’s cabin is peaceful, well shielded from exterior noises. Most of the engines are smooth and quiet, particularly the higher-output diesels, and the S80 feels suitably sophisticated and cosseting.
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Buying & Owning
The S80 is competitively priced, but depreciation is heavy compared with German rivals, pushing contract hire rates up. It’s better news when it comes to maintenance costs thanks to lengthy servicing intervals of two years or 18,000 miles, while company car tax bills and fuel economy are what you’d expect for a car in this class.
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Quality & Reliability
The S80 has a stylish, modern cabin, but while the materials used are solid, they’re not as classy as those in Audis or BMWs. The previous S80 didn’t do well in our reliability surveys, although Volvo’s overall record is very good.
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Safety & Security
Given Volvo’s reputation for safety, it’s little surprise that the S80 gets stability control, six airbags and active anti-whiplash head restraints as standard. Among the options are sensors that warn if a vehicle enters your blindspot and adaptive cruise control that keeps you a safe distance from the car in front. Deadlocks and an alarm are fitted to all models to discourage thieves.
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Behind The Wheel
Most drivers should be able to get comfortable thanks to a seat and steering wheel that have plenty of adjustment. The switchgear is easy to reach and well laid out. The buttons that direct air-flow are particularly intuitive because they’re shaped like a human figure. Shame that the thick windscreen pillars badly restrict forward vision.
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Space & Practicality
The S80 is a big car and can seat four in comfort. Boot space could be more generous, but the rear seats split and fold 60/40 so you can carry larger loads. Oddment storage is also good, but the main bin between the driver and front passenger can be fiddly to open.
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Equipment
The entry-level SE models come with dual-zone climate control, electric driver’s seat adjustment and a posh MP3-compatible stereo, while the Lux pack adds heated seats trimmed in soft leather and rear parking sensors. Either SE or SE Lux models can be upgraded to Premium spec, which includes leather trim and sat-nav. Top-spec Executive versions feature walnut wood dashboard inlays, a seat massage function and an inbuilt fridge.
S80 used car reviews
Volvo S80 Saloon 2.0D SE 4dr
A decent S80 for company car buyers, the 2.0D SE is a reasonably refined cruiser, but its pleasant cabin is undermined by its choppy ride quality.
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