New Volvo Car Reviews
New Volvo S80 Range Car Review

VOLVO’S PRIME MOVER

Volvo’s S80 is the thinking executive’s choice. Jonathan Crouch explains why

Safe, sturdy and dependable virtues are all very well but to succeed in the executive car class, Volvo’s S80 needs to do more and the second generation car has had an impressive stab at it. Strong engines and a lively driving experience help, as does the slick Swedish interior. It might be unremarkable to look at but for Executive saloon buyers not obsessed with German badgework, the improved S80 makes remarkable sense.

Despite Volvo’s best efforts, their S80 executive saloon is probably best known as the car that wafts Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class passengers from their homes to their executive airport lounge. Few will have noticed it on the way – it’s that kind of highly efficient, yet unassuming car.

The first generation version was very similar and when it was replaced by this car in 2006, most assumed that Volvo would deliver something more dynamic. In many ways they have, but it isn’t immediately obvious. Still, if you find class-leading safety, V8 power or outstanding economy dull, then I guess that’s your loss. The car has recently received a more distinctive look and an improved diesel engine line-up.

You won’t be expecting this Volvo to handle like a BMW 5 Series – which is just as well because it doesn’t, even if you specify the optional ‘Lowered Dynamic Chassis’. But then, no other Executive saloon in the sector handles like a 5 Series either and few of them compensate by being such a relaxing long distance companion as the S80. Those that do are either much more expensive – or they depreciate like a stone. Better to go for the ‘Comfort’ chassis specification and enjoy this car for what it is.

The engine line-up is a lot more exciting than you’ll be expecting with plenty of headlines. A V8 petrol 315bhp flagship with four wheel drive is just the start of it. If you fancy something a little more home-grown, the next engine down – a 3.2-litre 235bhp six-cylinder powerplant – is actually built in Wales and is so carefully designed that it’s actually smaller than the two five cylinder engines that were carried over from the first generation S80 line-up. These include a 200bhp 2.5T petrol unit and the 205bhp D5 diesel, which puts out a huge 420NM of torque.

The version we’d go for though, is the 2.0D. Forget its 136bhp power output: what’s actually important is the 320Nm of torque, pulling power that’s comparable to the much more expensive 2.5T petrol version. We can’t imagine why any executive would need more everyday performance than this (and we certainly can’t see any point in buying the 175bhp 2.4D version). Rest to sixty is dispatched in ten seconds on the way to 130mph, yet you should average 50mpg on a daily basis – better than a common or garden petrol family hatch. None of the German makes can produce a model to rival the S80 2.0D and they certainly can’t get near to its sub-£25,000 asking price. For even less, executive buyers more concerned with low running costs than high power outputs can opt for a thrifty 1.6-litre diesel DRIVe model.

First impressions are deceiving with this car. It’s only when you get the Mk1 S80 next to the current generation model that you’ll see quite how far it has evolved. OK, so many of the primary design cues are still much the same - the distinctive shoulders that run all the way back to the tail lights, the arched roofline and the rather bluff front grille up front. Look beyond them though and you can see some significant changes to the vehicle’s stance and its fine detailing. The old S80 was a bit of a frumpy thing. This one has smartened up nicely and the most recent models feature a more distinctive front featuring a larger badge, plus extra chrome detailing on the air intakes, the lower part of the doors and under the tail lamps.

Inside, well, it’s all rather refreshing. Instead of trying to copy their German rivals, Volvo have gone their own way. The Swedes claim that their ‘design language’ radiates a simpler, more stylish and modern feel by combining aesthetics and technology in a more inviting and intelligent way. I’m not sure that I buy into that completely but there’s certainly a nice blend of no-nonsense Scandinavian style thanks to nice touches like the slim 'floating' centre stack (with its smarter ‘Silk Metal’ frame) in the centre of the dashboard, quality materials for upholsteries and a thoughtful choice of inlays and colour schemes that blend smoothly together. As before, there’s comfortable room for five adults and a huge 422-litre boot. For more carrying space from this brand, you’ll need a Volvo V70, effectively the estate version of this car.

The majority of S80 sales are in the familiar £24,000-£30,000 bracket for this class of car – though you could theoretically pay up to nearly £40,000 for one. Expect to save yourself at least £1,500-£2,000 on comparable BMW 5 series and Audi A6 models – and significantly more if you’re thinking Mercedes E-Class. Equipment levels on all models run to dual-zone climate control and a punchy stereo package. More important standard features however, are those concerned with the S80’s class-leading safety systems. It would take me all day to go into these, so we’ll just give you the highlights. Volvo think that there’s a great deal more to safety than just dotting airbags around the cabin – though of course, there are plenty of those. That’s why a Collision Warning system has been developed for the car, along with a Brake Support set-up.

There’s also Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), active Bi-Xenon headlights that swivel with the car and a patented body structure developed at the Volvo Safety Centre. Security hasn’t been forgotten either. I like the idea of ordering the optional Personal Car Communicator which fits into your keyfob and is able to remotely check if the car is locked or not, alert you if the alarm has been activated and even includes a heartbeat sensor to warn you if there’s anyone in the car who shouldn’t be.

As we’ve already suggested, one of the highlight models in the range from the point of view of cost of ownership is the entry-level 2.0D model: ask for it by name. After all, you can’t really argue with limo luxury, 130mph performance, 0-60mph in ten seconds, 50mpg fuel economy, 151g/km CO2 emissions.and a sub-£25,000 price tag. The 1.6-litre diesel DRIVe model is even more frugal, returning a CO2 figure of just 129g/km and 57.6mpg on the combined cycle. If you do want to go faster (why – it’s not a sports saloon for goodness sake), then the diesel D5 is a decent pick, with 205bhp cutting the rest to sixty time to around 8 seconds on the way to a top speed of 143mph. Fuel consumption isn’t too badly affected – you should average around 45mpg.

If you must have petrol power, bear in mind that the S80’s two larger petrol engines deliver combined economy figures of 27mpg and 23mpg respectively, so they aren’t the choice for the cost conscious. In fact, you’d be better off with the older 2.5T unit which is acceptably rapid (0-60mph in 7.2s on the way to 148mph) yet still averages over 30mpg. Depreciation is always a tricky subject for Volvo and you’ll have to accept up-front that the S80 will lose its value more quickly than its key German rivals. Long servicing intervals and lower asking prices help to redress the balance though and overall, the S80 is a competitive proposition on cost grounds.

This has to be the thinking person’s executive saloon. No, it’s not the most dynamic car to drive and it certainly could be a bit more charismatic. Still, there’s little doubt that a lot of thought has gone into the S80, to our eyes a handsome car with none of the pretension that accompanies some of its rivals. Build quality and safety are obvious strengths but the cabin design will also win the car many friends. If you’re looking for a softer, friendlier antidote to all that Germanic slickness, this could be it.

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