2009 Volvo S80 Reviews

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the used1998-2013 Volvo S80.

The traditional prestige players are priced beyond the means of most of us -- but the qualitative difference separating the business class and the topline versions of the rest has diminished to the point of non-existence. All right, you'll look better in the car park comparison stakes if you drive the exxier choices listed here, but you're by no means always driving the better car.WAGONSOne's a classy Volkswagen Group sport wagon with a direct injection turbo petrol engine with the option of a cutting-edge transmission. And so's the Audi.The Czech-made Skoda is essentially a bigger in the body, more discreet, better riding and cheaper VW Golf GTI, the car that more than any other blurs the distinction between the prestige pack and the rest.The handling-enhancing electronic diff of the new GTI is on its way to the RS, so while the twin clutch DSG adds $2300, the generous standard kit (including tasty 18s) and skinny options list means there's not a lot more to spend. Rare is the Audi of which that can be said.The output of the front-wheel-drive Avant's turbo four is similar (132kW/320Nm plays Skoda's 147kW/280Nm), limited for its continuously variable transmission. Quattro and the full-fat engine sets you back another $13,000 -- and the premium is already just a bit silly.SEDANSOne's a perfectly balanced, rear-wheel-drive, inline petrol six with great steering and a six-speed ZF automatic. And so's the BMW.All right, we're comparing a big tarted-up Aussie taxi with a thoroughbred mid-size Bavarian sport sedan here, but what of it? Priced $33K south, this Falcon is probably the best-value car in the country on a metal for money basis and that price difference buys a lot of basic unleaded petrol for that 4.0-litre atmo six with its whacking 195kW/391Nm. If there's a quickish car that rides as well as the Falcon, it's known not unto us.As to the Bimmer, well, you'd go there if you could, even if the peerless handling comes at the price of run-flat tyres and an options list to make your eyes bleed.DIESELSOne's a European-built front-wheel-drive with a sophisticated turbodiesel engine and bank-vault build quality. And so's the Volvo. Now the first prestige Euro to be owned by a Chinese company, Volvo did rather well out of its association with Ford (certainly better than Saab did out of GM). But the years of proximity invite comparison.Long the choice of UK sales reps and families, the Mondeo's marriage of the diesel with an auto and capable dynamics give it a comfortable niche position at this level of the market. The Titanium edition gives the long Ford the trim and kit to compare with the premium brigade.Despite its more potent five-cylinder engine and Swedish aura of invulnerability, we just can't see the extra spend in the stolid Volvo.SUVSOne's the best-driving compact SUV and... uh, that's the BMW, actually. We've often said that if BMW made front-wheel-drive family cars they'd handle like Mazdas, so the two brands' respective four-wheel-drives should logically be even closer.Not quite, but not to the extent that the X3 is nigh-on $20K better. The X3's only real advantage in Australia's restricted conditions is its standard six-speed auto. Stop us if you're tired of hearing this, Mazda doesn't yet have a slusher for its diesel.While the Mazda's engine is slightly bigger and more potent than the BMW diesel, it has to haul a nearly two-tonne kerb weight. The X3 is 250kg lighter but, within, it's also the most dated Bimmer.How much is that badge worth, again?

I have a bookshelf made by me when I temporarily became a subcontractor to Ikea. You can tell I built it because there are some flaws.The nail holes in the white plastic coating on the shelves, for example, is where I missed the instruction that indicated nails should go into the side without the pretty plastic finish.While I waited for my wife to come down from the ceiling, I figured white paint or Liquid Paper would coat the holes and no-one would notice. It didn't work and every guest notices. If they miss the holes, then my wife is sure to point them out.Life is supposed to be simple but you can see that we face frequent complications. Which is why I spent far too long looking for any flaws in Volvo's prestige saloon, the S80.Like Ikea, it comes from Sweden and is refreshingly simple. So simple that the S80 is a hassle-free joy to drive yet so simple that in many people's eyes, it doesn't instantly reflect its near-$80,000 price tag.That ignores the fact that the S80 — now in a petrol six-cylinder version to compliment the diesel and the V8 — is very well equipped and more than competitive with its BMW 5-Series, Audi A6, Mercedes C-Class and Jaguar X-Type rivals.Externally the S80 cleverly uses round-edged wedge and scalloped flank shapes to disguise its size. It is neat and, in an Ikea-ish way, so similar to the half-price S40 model as to be twins.While it may look too much like its cheaper sister, it shares none of its drivetrain components or philosophy. This is a Volvo to fang. The turbocharged, inline six-cylinder engine stretches transversely between the MacPherson strut towers and drives through a six-speed sequential auto to all wheels. That's the first indication of its potential.The 3-litre engine may sound a tad smallish but it's lively and thanks to the turbo and its intercooler, piles on the torque at low revs for sparkling acceleration. It is always relaxed and even near the top end of the tacho, you know it's breathing hard but it isn't suffering.This is a better deal than the V8. Firstly, you'd save on fuel and on the $9000 price difference. And you won't be a lot worse off in performance. Certainly the in-line six cylinder is smooth and quiet — more so than the V8 — so the ride experience meets the car's price tag.No need to slow too much for the corners, either, as the all-paw grip is prodigious in the dry and safely hangs on in wet conditions. Arguably, it'll beat its rivals hands down through the bends in the wet and probably in the dry as well. Yes, surprise, surprise, it's that good.It's not as if you feel a lot of the action inside the cabin for the bodyroll is minimal. All this is quite unexpected. Especially as the cabin is so delicately trimmed and decorated to be more like the corner of a loungeroom. I have indicated the simplicity of the interior but it's also the use of colours and materials that makes it so appealing.Some German rivals like black-on-black with dark wood as cabin decor but Volvo prefers pale pastels with satin-varnished and light-coloured timber trim and a bit of brushed metal as an accent. There is no central button to access the features, rather simple and well signposted switchgear.The car is accessed and started by a keyless system. The parkbrake is an electronic button and the audio is a simple one-touch button arrangement. There is significant sound deadening so underway if there is virtually no engine and wind noise which means you can turn down the radio volume.The seats are upholstered in soft leather and while I'd wish for more side support, are easy to get in and out. They also have heaters to produce possibly your only early morning winter smile.It really is a surprisingly good car that has the round pole into round hole simplicity we've come to expect from the land of the meatball.Just be sure to read the instructions.SnapshotPrice: $79,950Engine: 3-litre, inline 6-cyl, turbo, intercoolerPower: 210kW @ 5600rpmTorque: 400Nm @ 1500-4800rpmPerformance: 0-100km/h: 6.9 secondsEconomy (official): 12.0 litres/100km, tested): 12.2 litres/100kmEmissions: 286g/km (Corolla: 175g/km)Transmission: 6-speed automatic, sequential; all-wheel driveRating: 88/100Rivals: Audi A6 2.8Q ($92,000) — 87/100; BMW 523i ($86,530) — 85/100; Honda Legend ($79,990) — 81/100; Jaguar 3.0 Luxury AWD ($79,150) — 79/100