A former British Touring Car support racer, Nick is the founder of ChooseMyCar and brings years of industry insight to the world of cars and car buying.
Overall Rating
4.1/5
Based on expert evaluation and real-world testing
Performance
3.8
Comfort & Interior
4.6
Running Costs
3.3
Practicality
4.2
Expert Review
Our ratings are based on thorough testing and expert evaluation. We consider all aspects of the vehicle, from performance to value for money, ensuring you get a transparent and reliable assessment.
Overview
The Volvo S80 is a premium executive saloon that epitomises Swedish luxury and engineering excellence. This sophisticated four door model was designed to compete with established rivals like the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class in the executive car segment. The S80 stands out with its distinctive Scandinavian design philosophy, prioritising safety, comfort and understated elegance over flashy styling. Built with Volvo’s renowned attention to detail, this executive saloon offers a refined driving experience with excellent build quality and advanced safety features that were ahead of their time. The S80 delivers impressive ride comfort and presents strong value for money compared to its German competitors. Whether you’re looking for a comfortable motorway cruiser or a prestigious executive car, the S80 provides the reliability and sophistication that discerning drivers expect. Its spacious interior, smooth ride quality and comprehensive safety equipment make it an excellent choice for business professionals and families alike who want premium motoring without the premium badge snobbery.
What's the Volvo S80 Like to Drive?
The Volvo S80 range offers a selection of refined engines designed for smooth, effortless performance rather than outright speed. The entry-level petrol engines deliver around 200-240 horsepower, providing adequate performance for most situations. These units feel relaxed and refined, with enough power for confident overtaking and motorway cruising. The more powerful T6 petrol engine offers impressive acceleration, reaching 0-60 mph in around 6.5 seconds while maintaining excellent refinement.
Key Features
Essential specifications and features
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Engine
2.0L 4-cylinder Turbo / 3.0L 6-cylinder Turbo
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Power Output
200 - 300 bhp
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0-60 mph
8.2 - 6.5 seconds
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MPG Combined
28 - 35 mpg
- Boot Space
- 440 litres
- Safety Rating
- ★★★★★ (Euro NCAP)
How Comfortable Is the Volvo S80?
Step inside the S80 and you immediately understand why Volvo has such a strong reputation for interior quality. The cabin feels spacious and airy, with excellent build quality evident in every surface you touch. The dashboard design is clean and logical, with well-placed controls that are intuitive to use. Materials throughout feel premium, from the soft-touch plastics to the quality leather upholstery available on higher trim levels. The attention to detail is impressive, with solid-feeling switches and controls that operate with satisfying precision.
A reassuring blend of comfort and understated elegance. The S80 prioritizes a refined driving experience and robust build quality – a genuinely dependable luxury sedan.
Is the Volvo S80 Expensive to Run?
As a premium executive saloon, the S80 comes with running costs that reflect its positioning in the market. Fuel economy varies depending on the engine choice, with the smaller petrol units achieving around 30-35 mpg in real-world driving, while the more powerful engines deliver closer to 28-32 mpg. These figures are respectable for the class, though diesel versions offer better fuel efficiency if available. Insurance costs tend to be moderate for the class, though they’ll be higher than for mainstream family cars.
How Does It Compare?
Compare key features and specifications
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Volvo S80
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BMW 5 Series
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Mercedes E-Class
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|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | £18,000 | £20,000 | £19,500 |
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Performance
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| Engine | 2.0L T5 200hp | 2.0L 184hp | 2.0L 194hp |
| Power | 200 bhp | 184 bhp | 194 bhp |
| 0-60 mph | 7.8 seconds | 8.2 seconds | 7.7 seconds |
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Running Costs
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| MPG Combined | 32 mpg | 35 mpg | 33 mpg |
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Practicality
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| Boot Space | 440 litres | 530 litres | 540 litres |
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Standard Features
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| Key Features | Outstanding safety, Comfortable seats, Refined ride | Sporty handling, Premium interior, Strong resale | Luxury interior, Advanced tech, Smooth engines |
Volvo S80 Practicality & Boot Space
For a large executive saloon, the S80 offers impressive practicality that makes it suitable for both business and family use. The 440-litre boot is a decent size for the class, easily accommodating multiple large suitcases or a substantial weekly shopping trip. The boot opening is wide and the loading lip is relatively low, making it easy to load heavy items. Inside the cabin, there are plenty of useful storage spaces, including door pockets, cup holders, and a generous glovebox.
Bought our S80 three years ago and it’s been absolutely brilliant. The comfort levels are incredible for long journeys and the build quality feels rock solid. Only minor issue has been a sensor fault, but everything else has been reliable.
The Volvo S80 stands out in the competitive executive saloon market by offering uncompromising comfort, safety, and build quality. It packages Volvo’s renowned engineering expertise, advanced safety technology, and luxurious interior appointments into an understated and elegant package. While it may not be the most exciting car to drive or the most fuel-efficient in its class, it excels in the areas that matter most for real-world executive car use.