2008 Volvo S80 Review

The S80 is Volvo's luxury sedan released in 1999. Being Volvo's top model, it has some of the most advanced safety features in the world. It was redesigned in 2007.

The BuyingAdvice Team Says:

The Volvo S80 is on the cutting-edge of safety. It's also on the cutting-edge of ergonomics, with some of the most comfortable front seats in its class. The S80 combines a dash of style with typical Swedish minimalism. While not the most exciting of its class, it's a solid, albeit conservative, pick.

What's New For 2008:

The T6 engine is now available. It's a six-cylinder rated at 281 hp. Premium leather and Volvo's Personal Car Communicator are now standard in V8 models. Heated rear seats are now available.

Request a free, no-obligation, new 2008 Volvo S80 price quote or choose any other model you're interested in and receive the Buying Advice Team's Insider Report for New Car Buyers.

Vital Stats

Starting MSRP:
$39,600

Rebates & Incentives:
no

Seats:
5

Gas Mileage:
16/25

Engine:
3.2L I6

Horsepower:
235@6200RPM

Torque:
236@3200RPM

Transmission:
6 Speed Automatic

Drive:
FR/FWD

Fuel Capacity:
19

Fuel Type:
gasoline

Basic Warranty:
48/50000

Powertrain Warranty:
48/50000

Rust Warranty:
144/Unlimi

What is the Predicted Reliability:

J.D. Power information is not available. Problems with the last generation included premature ball joint wear, excessive electrical resistance, poor shifting, and vehicle noise. It was recalled 7 times for issues including loose ball joints, inadequate fans, short circuits, and loose seatbelt bolts. The basic warranty lasts for four years or 50,000 miles and drivers can expect average reliability.

Analysis Of Safety Ratings And Features:

Government crash test scores are not available. The IIHS gave the S80 perfect scores, and named it as one of their "Top Safety Picks" for 2008. Anti-lock brakes, full side airbags, brake assist, brake force distribution, active head restraints, seatbelt pretensioners, and stability and traction control come standard. Optional is the BLIS system, which watches blind spots for the driver. The V8 includes the PCC security system, which detects the heartbeats of potential intruders. The S80's adaptive cruise control warns the driver if a collision is anticipated.

Pros and Cons:

Pros
+ Top safety
+ Extreme comfort
+ Quiet

Cons
- Unrefined interior
- Cramped rear seat
- Lacks AWD

Head-To-Head Competition:

The Acura RL has AWD and nearly 60 more hp, but costs several thousand more. The Audi A4 is very similar in price and features, but includes AWD. The Lexus GS 350 is similar, but has almost 70 more hp, for several thousand more.

What Others Are Saying:

"The S80 provides a quiet, roomy interior that looks upscale but also conservative. Climate and audio controls are handy. But it's easy to confuse driver-side power controls for the front windows with those for the rear ones." - Chicago Sun-Times

"Anyway, Volvo wasn't kidding about putting comfort at the top of the list. In typical Scandinavian fashion, the Volvo S80's interior challenges the Audi for sybaritic supremacy. While both marques get full marks for top notch materials deployed with studied minimalism, Sweden pulls ahead with gloved user-friendly interfaces." - The Truth About Cars

"A fair question about the redesigned Volvo S80 sedan is: 'What's not to like?'...Drives like a champ. Could use a little more space." - USA TODAY

Read more about the 2008 Volvo S80 at the Volvo manufacturer web site.

Published on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 - Email to a friend

Copyright 2006 BuyingAdvice.com, INC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten, or redistributed.

New Cars