The original Volvo S80 was a decided shift away from the boxy designs for which the brand was known. Along with the compact executive Volvo S60 of the time (both were launched around the turn of the millennium), it added then-novel curves, but continuing to reinforce Volvo cars’ reputation for safety. It offered the likes of blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, adaptive headlights, lane departure warning, side curtain airbags, and adaptive cruise control before they were widely available.
While it was a viable competitor in the luxury midsize sedan segment, it lacked the pizzazz of its German competitors. Instead, the Volvo S80 had more formal styling and a minimalist Scandinavian interior.
The Volvo S80’s life ended before modern technologies such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the Sensus infotainment system offered a navigation system with real-time traffic updates, Bluetooth audio streaming, and Sirius Satellite Radio.
If you can forgo modern tech and are looking for a large, safe, and comfortable sedan, then the Volvo S80 might just fit the bill.
Volvo S80: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Volvo S80 Pros and Cons
- Volvo S80 Generations
- Volvo S80 Second Generation (2007–2016)
- Volvo S80 First Generation (1999–2006)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Volvo S80 years are the best?
If you’re looking for a first-generation Volvo S80, then focus on the latter years. By 2005 and 2006, most of the early reliability issues had been addressed, and there was more in the way of electric equipment. The same applies to the second generation; there are far fewer consumer complaints from the 2011 model year according to NHTSA.gov, and 2014 seems to be the best model year out there, with just one complaint and one recall.
What are the worst Volvo S80 years?
There were some issues in the S80’s early years, and there are lots of complaints for 1999 to 2002 models, according to NHTSA.gov. CarComplaints.com calls 2000 the worst model year, because there has been a number of problems with the engine, including stalling and vehicle speed control.
Is a used Volvo S80 a good deal?
The Volvo S80 has the potential to be a very good deal. The average price purchase price for a 2016 example—the final year in which the S80 was produced—is a quarter of the original MSRP. The base sedan cost about $44,000, and today you can snap one up for $10,000. The average transaction price for first-generation models is less than $5,000.
Volvo S80 Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent safety technology
- Comfortable seats
- Understated, luxurious interior
Cons:
- Poor fuel economy
- Underwhelming base engine
- Cramped rear head room
Volvo S80 Generations
Volvo S80 Second Generation (2007–2016)
The second-generation Volvo S80 heralded new engines, a complete redesign, a more spacious cabin, and lots of standard safety kit. Built on the same Volvo P3 platform as the Ford Mondeo and S-MAX, and the Volvo XC60, this S80 has more conservative styling, high-quality materials, and a clean Scandinavian interior design—all with its German competitors in its sights.
A pair of new engines was available at launch: a 235-horsepower 3.2-liter inline six and a 311-hp 4.4-liter V8 engine—the latter built in Japan by Yamaha and with a hefty 325 lb-ft of torque. The V8 was a first for the S80, and it was the same unit that debuted in the 2006 XC90. There were just two trim levels: the 3.2 Sedan and the V8 Sedan. The 3.2 Sedan came with front-wheel drive (FWD) as standard and the V8 Sedan with all-wheel drive (AWD).
Standard features included leather upholstery, wood trim, power front seats, a power sunroof, front fog lamps, 17-inch alloy wheels, a six-disk CD changer, and a 160-watt eight-speaker audio system. Standard safety features included Dynamic Stability Traction Control (DSTC), Volvo’s Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), anti-lock brakes, and side-curtain airbags. Available safety features included the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) and adaptive cruise control.
Available equipment included heated front seats, heated windshield washer nozzles, rain sensing wipers, headlamp cleaners, and a 12-speaker Dolby Surround Sound system with Sirius Satellite Radio. There was also an optional Sport Package with the “Four-C” Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept, speed-sensitive steering, 18-inch wheels, ventilated front seats, and active bi-xenon headlights that turned with the steering.
There were some minor interior and exterior updates in 2008, but the big change was the addition of a new 281-hp 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six-cylinder engine and the mid-level T6 Sedan trim. In 2010, the new base engine was a PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) 3.2-liter inline six, replacing the previous 3.2-liter unit. There was another engine shake-up in 2011, when the base engine received a five-hp boost and the turbo unit was bumped to 300 hp. The Volvo S80 V8 bowed out that year, and the Inscription package was added to the lineup. Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system was upgraded in 2012, but the bigger news was that City Safety, the manufacturer’s low-speed automatic braking system, became standard across all models.
The S80 received a mid-cycle refresh in 2014, comprising a revised front fascia, new wheels, a new instrument cluster, and a new trim structure. The six trims available were: 3.2 Sedan, 3.2 Premier Plus Sedan, T6 Sedan, T6 Premier Sedan, 3.2 Platinum Sedan, and T6 Platinum Sedan. There was yet another change to the engine lineup in 2014, with the 3.2-liter replaced by a 240-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four. The T5 replaced the 3.2 in the trim lineup, a new Premier Plus trim was launched for both the T5 and the T6, and a new eight-speed Geartronic automatic transmission arrived, promising smoother shifts and better mpg than the old six-speed transmission. The Volvo S80 T6 was dropped in 2016—the S80’s final year—but there were some new standard features for other models.
While you’re more likely to find a used S80 for sale from this generation, they‘re still scarce, and we found 132 second-gen S80s for sale nationwide. Prices ranged from $3,500 to about $20,000 for low-mileage models, with a median price about $7,000.
Volvo S80 First Generation (1999–2006)
The first-generation Volvo S80 had a modern design and a curvier façade than its boxy predecessors, and took aim at the BMW 5 Series, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and the Audi A6. It was built on Volvo P2 Platform, which later became the foundation for several other Volvo models of the time.
At launch it had a pair of inline-six engines: a base 201-hp 2.9-liter unit and a 268-hp T6 twin-turbo. There were just two models available in the U.S.—the 2.9 Sedan and the T6 Sedan. At this time, the S80 was only available with front-wheel drive.
It continued Volvo’s safety tradition with front and rear integrated crumple zones, driver and front passenger dual-stage airbags, a Side Impact Protection System (SIPS), side curtain airbags, five padded head restraints with Volvo’s Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), and automatic seat belt pretensioners.
An emergency trunk release handle, emergency brake assist, and an improved traction control system were added in 2000. In 2001, the S80 received an Executive trim with special luxury rear-seat features, while 2002 ushered in some minor styling changes such as an updated grille, a revised rear fascia, and a new gauge cluster. The 2003 model added a revised six-cylinder bi-turbo engine and the introduction of a new T6 Elite trim, replacing the T6 Executive.
There were more significant changes in 2004, such as the introduction of a base 208-hp, 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five-cylinder engine, paired with an AWD drivetrain. There were new taillights, bumpers, and a new trunk lid, and the T6 Premier replaced the T6 Elite. The momentum continued in 2005, with the addition of a 2.5T version, standard front fog lights, and an available blind spot monitoring system. The 2.9 Sedan was dropped from the lineup.
In 2006, the final year of this generation, the base 2.5T trims got standard leather seats, a power moonroof, wood inlays, a wood-trimmed steering wheel, a power passenger’s seat, and 17-inch alloy wheels. The T6 trims were dropped from the lineup, and the only engine option was the five-cylinder turbo.
You’ll be hard pressed to find a used Volvo S80 of this generation, and you’ll likely have to travel for it. We found a total of 22 vehicles for sale in this generation at the time of writing; prices ranged from $3,000 for a high-mileage base model to $9,000 for a first-year T6 model with just 90,000 miles.
