2007 Volvo S80 Review

PROS
Great engine and chassis, Top-notch interior, Lots of advanced safety features

CONS Cramped back seat, Cryptic gauges, Haphazard control layout

Getting in the game
Quick, name four premium luxury sedans! Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7-Series, Jaguar XJ, Lexus LS. Good. Now what's Volvo's luxury sedan? Come on, I know you can do it. Not sure? Read on.

Volvo knows its top-of-the-line S80 has an image problem. When it was first introduced in 1999 it offered front drive and V6 power--hardly the stuff of which luxury sedans are made. The Swedish automaker hopes to change that perception with a completely redesigned S80.

The new-for-'07 S80 offers more power--including an available V8--all-wheel-drive, and a host of safety features never before offered on any vehicle. Styling and exterior and interior dimensions change little from the previous generation.

S80 comes in two models 3.2 and V8. The main difference between the models is engine and drive wheels. The 3.2 comes with front-wheel drive and a 3.2-liter V6 that makes 235 horsepower. The V8 comes with all-wheel drive and a 4.4-liter V8 that produces 311 horsepower. Both drivetrains mate to a 6-speed automatic transmission with separate shift gate for manual operation. All models have traction control. The all-wheel-drive system does not have a low range and is not intended for off-road use.

Optional features include heated seats, rain-sensing wipers, satellite radio, front- and rear-obstacle detection, pop-up navigation system, rear-seat DVD entertainment system, and adaptive cruise control. Also available is a Sport Package that adds ventilated front seats, steering-linked headlamps, speed-sensitive power steering, driver-adjustable shock absorbers, and larger wheels and tires.

The S80 3.2 has a base price of $38,705 and the V8 lists for $47,350. Both models have a destination charge of $650.

Get up and Go
Volvo's 4.4-liter V8 provides ample power away from stoplights and exceptional passing power. The engine is smooth and willing to rev, which is more than can be said for some competitor's V8 engines. Volvo quotes a 0-60 mph time of just six seconds. Based on seat-of-the-pants impressions, that number is entirely believable.

Thankfully, Volvo tuned throttle response to American driving tastes. Many European luxury sedans feature a throttle that makes the engine feel sleepy. The S80's throttle isn't touchy and provides a quick burst of power without a hard stomp on the go pedal.

EPA ratings for the S80 V8 AWD are 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. Those numbers are just one shy of Acura RL, which is about the same size, comes with AWD, and has a much smaller V6 engine. In typical driving, expect to average about 18 mpg, perhaps 20 mpg on longer highway trips. Volvo recommends more-expensive premium-grade fuel for best performance.

On the Road
S80 subtly blends a Euro-tuned ride with American comfort to come up with a fine balance of ride control and impact absorption. The V8 model is available with a driver-adjustable suspension that has three settings: comfort, sport, and advanced. Each setting changes the firmness of the shock absorbers.

In comfort, the suspension is adequately compliant over all but the largest bumps. It easily soaks up minor road imperfections and does a good job of filtering out freeway expansion joints while maintaining a controlled ride. In sport mode, the suspension is noticeably firmer though never harsh. In advanced, the shocks are very firm and the ride grows jittery on all but the smoothest roads. Overall, the comfort mode is best for daily commuting and highway cruising.

Also included with the driver-adjustable suspension is driver-adjustable steering effort. With the click of a button steering effort goes from modest to firm. The steering ratio doesn't change, but the effort required to turn the steering wheel does. Regardless of setting the steering is accurate and has good on-center feel. Turning radius is also quite tight for an all-wheel-drive vehicle.

A number of Volvo's safety features make everyday driving easier. The Blind Spot Information System illuminates a light near the right and left outside mirror to indicate that a vehicle may potentially be hiding in a blind spot. Most of the time the system works flawlessly, though it is occasionally fooled by rain or snow on the optical sensors.

Another system incorporates a warning light that sits atop the dashboard and the adaptive cruise-control sensors. In the event the system recognizes a potential front-end collision it will flash a red warning light and sound an audible warning. It the driver does not take corrective action, the system will pre-charge the brakes allowing driver to have quicker response brake applications.

Interior noise levels are acceptable for the class. There's little wind noise and the tires only kick up a ruckus on coarse concrete surfaces. The V8 produces a noticeable exhaust growl in hard acceleration, but is otherwise subdued in routine cruising.

Behind the Wheel Though the S80 doesn't look that different on the outside, the interior received a significant upgrade. Almost every surface is padded and the interior features lots of rich looking wood and aluminum accents. Tachometer and speedometer are well placed, but feature markings in 20 mph increments that are hard to read at a glance. Also, there is no engine temperature gauge, which seems out of place in a vehicle this expensive.

Radio and climate controls are easy to reach, but not clearly marked or arranged in a logical fashion--though they are aesthetically pleasing. Most other controls fall easily to hand, but there are a number of switches on the dashboard to the left of the steering that are out of site unless you crane your neck to the left.

Front seats are very comfortable and generally supportive in aggressive driving. There's plenty of head and leg room--even with the optional sunroof. Manual tilt/telescope steering wheel seems oddly out of place in a car this expensive, but does adjust to most any driving position. Visibility is good to all directions aided by the BLIS and power retracing rear headrests.

Trunk space is average for a luxury sedan, and the trunk lid has expensive-looking retractable hinges. Rear seats fold nearly flat--a nice touch in the class--to increase cargo carrying capacity. Interior storage is adequate, though it would be nice if the MP3 player plug in wasn't located inside the center console. It makes it difficult to operate the MP3 player functions unless you have a cord long enough to reach outside the console.

Bottom Line S80 isn't the largest, or the most luxurious, or the fastest luxury sedan--though it may well be the safest--but it is a fantastic fusion of most of the features that make a luxury sedan great. I wish the back seat offered a half-foot more leg room, but otherwise it's a great alternative for those looking at V8-powered luxo-cruisers.

Taken as a whole, the S80 comes across as one of the more sporty luxury sedans. Still, it can play the safety or technology card with the best of them. Perhaps the trump card is its reasonable base price. When carefully equipped, S80 costs thousands less than comparable vehicles from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, or Lexus.