The early stages of buying a car, for me at least, typically involve writing a list of utterly left-field options that never end up making it to my shortlist. The Volvo S80 V8 is one of those cars, the former flagship of the Volvo lineup and one of the few Volvos to ever come with a V8 engine. But the S80 V8 is merely a curiosity, a forgotten flagship lacking the dynamic poise of its German rivals and failing to adequately compensate with character of its own.
The 60-degree, transverse-mounted Yamaha 4.4 V8 was available in the S80 from 2007 until 2010, and first appeared in the 2005 XC90. Whenever I spot a last-generation S80, I look for the V8 badge on the back as V8 S80s are scarcely different visually from the lesser five- and six-cylinder models. I generally don’t find that badge.
As Jim Klein has noted, I seem to have become Curbside Classic’s resident mole person as so many of my photos are taken in undercover parking lots. A good two years elapsed between these photos from the parking lot and the lead photo I managed to quickly snap the other day in traffic. If I waited to find another S80 V8 parked, I’d be waiting a long time.
Here’s a press photo instead. There, much nicer. Alas, the second generation S80 had a rather watered-down design compared to the Peter Horbury-penned first generation. The first S80 had shaken up Volvo’s staid image with a new, broad-shouldered design language. The second generation smoothed it out and made it a touch sleeker, but now the S80 resembled an upsized S40. The V8 model, in Australia at least, added available chrome wheels that were an odd touch for a Swedish car—more [Chevy] Malibu than Malmö.
Sitting in a S80 3.2 the other day, I was surprised to find the interior wasn’t especially nice for its class. The material quality and presentation would have been tolerable in a lower-end V70 wagon, but if I was buying a new V8 luxury sedan I would have crossed the S80 off my list. It was well-screwed together inside and had a neat design, mind you, but it wasn’t terribly luxurious.
The S80 V8 also couldn’t compete with the Germans dynamically. Although the S80 was a front-wheel-drive sedan, all-wheel-drive was standard with the V8. The system was neither as complex nor as satisfying as that in the Acura RL, however, with 95% of the power sent to the front wheels. Overall curb weight was just under 4200 pounds – similar to other AWD rivals, albeit with 61.5 percent of that weight over the front wheels – but 0-60 was still accomplished in a fleet 5.7 seconds thanks to the sonorous V8 with 311 hp and 320 ft-lbs. The S80 V8 also came with an electronically-controlled suspension known as Four-C, allowing drivers to select between four different modes. Alas, not even Sport or Advanced could make the S80 handle as well as the Germans. Handling was secure and competent, but no more.
I suppose one shouldn’t expect a full-size Volvo to be as exciting to drive as a BMW, but the S80 failed to make a convincing case for itself against a class of immensely capable sedans from around the world. When you are trying to take on goliaths like the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, you have to offer something really special. The Volvo had the comfort, technology, pace and refinement required for the segment, but it lacked that certain je ne sais quoi.
Volvo has long been renowned for its station wagons. Maybe they should have put the Yamaha V8 in the related V70 wagon to create a more distinctive flagship. It might not have resulted in more sales, but hey–it might have ended up on my shortlist!
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What’s missing from this generation of S80? In my opinion, it’s not missing refinement, or dynamism, or luxury… it’s missing about 4 inches of wheelbase. Compared to its competitors, it’s cramped in the back, and that just won’t do for US buyers.
It’s amazing to think that Volvo used to be masters of space utilization, and now their cars are form-over-function. The V60 wagon doesn’t have room for passengers or cargo! Maybe the new S90 is different…?
Oh man!! That Yamaha V8 in the V70 would have been amazing!!
Anytime I see an S80, i’m like you in that I look for that little V8 badge on the back. When i do, I am reminded of this:
I know a guy that has an V8 XC90 with a lightly open exhaust. GLORIOUS!
This car sounds like a massive money pit, and doesn’t look much different than an S60. My personal experience with FWD Volvos hasn’t been good, but the beige leather and light colored wood trim is lovely.
If a dump truck hadn’t ended my ’96 V90 wagon’s life prematurely I’d still be driving that beast…
“If a dump truck hadn’t ended my ’96 V90 wagon’s life prematurely I’d still be driving that beast”
I agree on the 90’s Volvos. FWD, but straightforward and durable, like the older RWD cars. They have lots of nice touches to ensure a long life. Parts are widely available and they are quite easy to repair for a modern FWD car.
People around here usually drive the wheels off them and they regularly accumulate high mileage. The newer FWD Volvos seem to have lost some of the virtues of the older cars.
Yeah a friend bought V40 I think wagon thinking solid reliable Volvo it turned out the exact opposite the gravel road she likes on beat it to death, then electrical issues forced its disposal she has a Toyota Fielder now which has been trouble free.
To be fair the V40 (first gen) was a Mitsubishi Charisma with some Volvo guts, and were built by NedCar. Uncharacteristically for a Volvo, these things rust pretty bad (in places with road salt), pointing to just how little the body was re-engineered from the Mitsu donor car.
I don’t know what has become of Volvo but it sure isn’t Volvo anymore. What it is? I have no idea. Someone must be buying them, but I don’t know who those people are. The car lacks the road manners and the snob appeal of the German competitors, and certainly lacks the repair and maintenance experience of the higher end Japanese and even Korean cars.
Give Volvo credit, they pounded that safety image into Americans very forcefully because I suspect that most of their sales are to people who want a upper priced European brand but who want to tell their friends how practical they are.
Can you tell that FWD Volvos do absolutely nothing for me? Not even those with a V8.
I suspect that you are asking a very pertinent question that can be posed to most manufacturers right now. What has become of Volvo? Volvo went from safe bricks to organic euro-themed near luxury funneled through Chinese cash. Or Porsche? Porsche has become the bastion of SUVs and sedans, not sports cars. Are BMWs still ultimate driving machines, or vanity rides for wannabes? I understand that one has to adapt or die, but no one seems to be trying to set themselves apart, whether via engineering prowess or amazing design language. There are the individual winners, but when a Kia and a Mercedes product are more similar than not, both in engineering and design, then we are stuck with a mediocracy. Every builds to similar specs, to meet similar needs, and there are no clear choices as to what a brand actually represents, other than a marketer’s interpretation. One used to buy a Saab to be quirky, a Volvo to be safe, a Porsche to carve corners, or a Mercedes to show one has arrived. They all used to have their niche; that has gone away, to the detriment of those who enjoyed the differences.
CC Word of the Day: mediocracy.
Back in 2010 I was shopping for Volvos with my mom (a Volvo nut), and we looked at a used S80 from this generation back to back with a comparable used S60. With significant depreciation (even more than the S60), I thought the S80 was a killer buy. I was especially impressed with the S80 interior design, which to me foreshadowed the clean attractive Volvo designs that appear today (I hated the S60 interior, which is what she bought). The material quality didn’t jump out as being being bad, but that may be different when compared to equivalent new Mercedes/whatever.
I wasn’t even aware that Volvo used the V8 in anything other than the XC 90…and at that, only for a year or two.
What a turn around, Volvo built this and now is on track to build all it’s cars with hybrid powertrains by 2019.
Someone in my immediate area has a new S80, black with a light interior. It’s an okay car, I guess, but comes across more as a Swedish Avalon than a competitor for anything out of Germany other than a Jetta or maybe a Passat.
You mean S90. Volvo has changed its nomenclature so that all of the full-sizers are part of the -90 series.
XC90 – SUV
S90 – Sedan
V90 – Wagon
V90 Cross Country – Lifted Wagon
I think the S90 looks distinctive and handsome, but, like its S80 predecessor, it is probably doomed to live in the unceremonious purgatory of other transverse-engined flagship sedans, like the Acura RLX, Lincoln Continental, Lincoln MKS, and (to a lesser extent because it seems to sell okay) Cadillac XTS. You also have the issue of RWD full-sized sedans that aren’t quite in the big-leagues and thus sell poorly, like the Cadillac CT6 and Infiniti Q70L…so RWD doesn’t necessarily solve your problems.
Two years ago I drove a friend’s 2006 S80 with the 3.2L inline-6 for a portion of a short roadtrip. It was a reasonably comfortable car to ride in, but to drive it was hardly anything rewarding. Granted this car had a lot of miles on it and some deferred maintenance, mainly its well-worn tires and brakes in need of replacement.
Overall it felt painfully heavy and under-powered, with poor acceleration, heavy body roll through corners and turns, and steering that could best be described as uncertain. Driving it felt like I was driving a much larger car than it really was.
A shame, as before getting behind the wheel I really liked the S80. In all honesty, the second generation S80 was the first Volvo I ever saw as a truly attractive car when new. Now I do find many of the square Volvo’s attractive, but a decade ago this car really caught my eye.
Brendan,
I can attest to the exact same thing you just described.
As you know, I come from a Volvo family. My parents have a 2009 XC70 with the 3.2 inline-6. I have named it “Miss Piggy” because, well, she is a pig. She has heavy body roll, has a very soft ride and gets terrible gas mileage. And I am not sure if she will have the longevity of my 740 or V70.
My MKS 3.7, which rides on a heavily-modified version of this platform, handles about the same—lots of body-roll, poor fuel economy, very comfortable ride. And this is the improved / facelifted version with the magnetic suspension; I suspect the 2009-2012 MKS drove markedly worse. I have nicknamed it “The C.O.W (Couch-on-wheels).”
Both Ford and Volvo vastly improved their full-sized experiences with the CD4 and SPA architectures, respectively. Ditto for GM with the Epsilon / Super Epsilon / P2XX platform versus the W-body. As these are basically extended-wheelbase versions of their mid-sized platforms, they are both taut / crisp and spacious.
My understanding was this gen of S80 was mechanically related to the Ford Mondeo, Galaxy and S-Max.
Wikipedia took me on a rabbit-hole. What it says is the S80 uses the P3 platform, shared with the:
Volvo XC60
Ford Mondeo (3G)
Ford Galaxy and S-Max
Land Rover Freelander 2/LR2 (!!!)
In turn, the P3/EUCD platform is an extension on the C1 platform used by the Ford Focus (2G), Mazda3 (1G), Ford Focus C-Max (1G), and Volvo S40/V50/C70 (2G).
Wow. I did NOT know that.
The 1G S80 (and first-generation XC90 and S60) used the P2 platform, which was in turn modified to accommodate (as the Ford D3 platform) the Lincoln MKS, Ford Taurus, etc.
So basically, Ford stuck it out with the older Volvo platform moved all their vehicles (bar the XC90) to newer platforms.
Kyree, I do have a question for you: does putting the MKS in sport mode make much of a difference in handling? I’ve always been curious.
This car, like the Mondeo and the XC70/V70 rides on the some version of the CD platform
You’re right. The EUCD platform is the one this car is on. A version of it is still used as an offshoot for the Land Rover Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque.
Sport mode makes a bit of difference, but a car that simply weighed less would handle better, magnetic shocks or not.
For some reason these high-performance Yamaha engines were not very reliable. Yamaha-designed V6 and V8 engines used in the Ford Taurus SHOs were disappointing. When Volvo was owend by Ford, it was Ford’s relationship with Yamaha that facilitated Volvo getting access to this V8 engine. It was supposed to be shared with the Lincoln MKS (and probably with the latest Ford Taurus and other Ford models as well) which shared the Volvo S80 and XC90 platform. I think Ford changed their mind at the last minute because of cost reasons.
Well, that, and the fact that Ford had the 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 already in the pipelines, which is probably a vastly-superior engine in terms of scalability and interchangeability. The 4.4-liter V8 was Duratec-based and so had familial ties to the 3.5 EcoBoost, but was a dead end from a development standpoint, especially because the V8 in a transverse configuration is extinct. Aside from Volvo, GM was last to do it with the Northstar-powered versions of the DTS (all DTSs) and Lucerne, as well as the LS-equipped W-bodies (Impala, LaCrosse, Grand Prix), and haven’t done it since. I actually can’t think of one transverse-V8 car for sale in the ‘States.
I saw a V8 S80 parked on the street just today! I had forgotten about that V8 version, and then I came home to this wonderful write up, so thanks for that. I drove an S80 of this version a few years back, because I liked the looks of it (more than the first generation). It drove like a well-used car, though, although it was brand new, so I asked to drive another one on the lot. Same sensation, so I passed. I thought the drill of sticking the fob in the dash and having to push the button too was odd. I recall thinking just a metal key would be more convenient.
BMW also did the key-slot thing, as early as 2002 on the E65 7-Series and 2003 on the Rolls-Royce Phantom, and later the 1-Series, 3-Series, 5-Series, 6-Series, X5, X6 and Z4, as well as the MINI lineup. However, the BMW version (excluding the E65 7-Series) had two different versions. For the base cars without Comfort Access, you had to stick the key in the slot and press the adjacent button. The cars with Comfort Access gave you the proximity function, allowing you to lock / unlock the car without taking the key out of your pocket, and to start it, you just needed to have the key fob in the cabin…like any other proximity-key system…and press the start button. Crucially, the non-Comfort-Access key that had to be stuck in the slot…relied upon the slot to recharge the key’s battery. The Comfort Access key, on the other hand, used a traditional replaceable disc battery. But if that disc battery became low or died, you could use the slot in order to have the car read the key via direct contact…again, similar to some other systems at the time.
Volvo’s cars with the brick key, initially, always made you stick the key in the slot and press the start button, whether or not they had the proximity access function on the outside. Later Volvos allowed you to keep the key in your pocket and not stick it in the slot unless the battery was low / dead, just like the optional BMW system.
During the advent of the brick key, Volvo was still under Ford, and Ford was allowing Aston Martin to use Volvo electronics suite…which, up to the new DB11 (that uses Mercedes-AMG electronics), Aston Martin has continued to use. So Aston Martin’s version of the brick key, known colloquially as the “crystal key” functioned similarly to the Volvo one, in that it had to be stuck in the dashboard slot, and then you pressed the start key. I don’t believe the version of the Volvo brick key that could be sensed inside the cabin was developed until after Volvo and Aston Martin had both been sold by Ford and were no longer tied together; thus I don’t believe Aston Martin got that version and theirs has always had to be placed inside the dash slot. However, when the key and interface are as elegant as those of Aston Martin, it becomes a ceremonious action…and you really don’t mind.
” It drove like a well-used car”
I get the impression that Volvos of this era had a somewhat odd suspension tuning: kind of soggy but also crashy over large expansion joints and such. Kind of a worst of both worlds, and creating the sensation of worn shocks/struts. My wife drove an ’04 S60 2.4i when we started dating. Aside from excellent rustproofing and comfortable seats, nothing stood out about that car as being particularly good. Fair amount of issues by 120k miles, tiny back seat. Her 2012 Camry was a big upgrade in just about every imaginable way except for paint quality.
Johnster;
Thanks for that info! I was questioning a Ford connection.
This is one of those cars you just had no reason to buy unless you were ordering a company car, and someone let you get frilly with the options sheet. And even then, a Volvo as a company car is more of a thing in Europe and China than it is here. But if you think of the S80 V8 as a sophisticated–if less-reliable–alternative to the contemporary GM W-body and G/K-body V8 sedans…then it makes a bit more sense.
And these non-luxury brand D-segment sedans were pretty much (company) fleet queens in Europe by the 2000s. Executive sedans from BMW, Mercedes and Audi ate their lunch. Volvo’s making more of a concerted effort to market the S90 as a real luxury sedan but what you said earlier will probably prove to be true: it’ll still be an also-ran, trailing the regular 5/E/A6 titans.
I see your point about it being an analogue to those GM sedans but I think Volvo had treaded too far into luxury territory by this point, leaving the S80 as a neither-nor offering. Too expensive for mainstream or near-luxury shoppers but lacking the cachet required by luxury shoppers.
I remember driving these (2.5T) when they came out and I was actually really impressed by how Scandinavian it feels. The way everything is understated really appeals to me.
The comparison with BMWs and Benz’s I have never understood. Do people really buy a Volvo and expect dynamic handling? Does Volvo expect to one-up the Germans at their own game? I think neither.
Agree entirely, particularly on the understatement factor; unfortunately, in current times when most Benz’s or Bimmers just resemble declasse pimpmobiles, it doesn’t sell. Bling is in. Hey, even the Oval Office now has gold curtains, man.
I’ve briefly driven a V8, and it was a revvy, very quick hoot, super-comfortable, and I thought the interior superb. Handling was a bit sloppy when pushed hard, but how often do you really do that? Modern cars, particularly upscale things like this, have such levels of real-world grip that “handling” criticisms are practically meaningless.
I’d take it, and save on the kidney surgery the BMW in particular would eventually cause me to have.
You basically photographed a unicorn. These are a rare find. Cannot remember when was the last time I saw one here.
Having seen side to side the XC70 (Volvo based) and the XC70 (Ford based) you can spot the differences. The interior on the newer ones is nice but I found the older models more attractive.
For me it would be interesting to have this V8 on a Mondeo, XC70 or an XC60.
“Do people really buy a Volvo and expect dynamic handling?”
I don’t think this is what Volvos are about. The people I met loved the comfort and solidity of their cars.
Mind you, some of them have serious performance.
Nice article on one of my favorite Volvos. The S80 V8, and really all S80’s, had quite a narrow niche to fill – as mentioned, it really didn’t match up to any of the other European luxury or sports sedans. It appealed to someone who enjoyed great seats, a stylish Scandinavian interior, and the opportunity to walk away from almost any crash – that’s a pretty small demographic.
My brother recently had a late-year T6 version in his shop, said he was really impressed with the powertrain. As cool as the V8 sounds, I think Volvo’s strength is in their turbo motors and that’d be the way I’d go.
I recently bought a used Volvo XC70 with the 5 cylinder 2.4 litre diesel engine, which I believe was never offered in the US. It is my first non-Australian built car and so far I’m very happy with my purchase. The diesel engine (my first) is very torquey and economical on fuel – I got 850 kms from a tankful last week. I love the leather and wood grained interior and although I have read that it is not a great handler it feels fine to me, although I haven’t really explored its limits yet. And going on some videos I’ve watched on YouTube, it’s quite capable off-road as well. having a Haldex AWD drive train.The only worry I have is possible high maintenance costs in the future. My previous car, a VE Holden Commodore cost me nothing apart from oil changes in 4 years of ownership.
The weak spots on these are: the rear diff (it may get noisy with mileage, typically >150K), the TC/Haldex whatevs unit that is behind the transmission. Other than that, not much comes to mind.
In terms of cost, maintenance is not too bad. Do not expect Commodore-cheap though. If you are in Melbourne, I can recommend an excellent Volvo specialist.
Is yours single or twin turbo?
Thanks for your reply Athos. I live in Perth and haven’t had it serviced yet so don’t know who I’ll use yet. It’s an 08 model but only done 93000 km’s. As far as I know it’s only got one turbo – didn’t know they ever had two. I was surprised how powerful it is from only 2.4 litres. That’s a smaller engine than my old 2.6 lt Sigma!
These, IIRC had: 3.2 petrol I-6, single turbo diesel and TT diesel. May be missing another variant. The turbo(s) sit at the back of the engine, facing the firewall.
Unlike previous I-5 Volvos, the hot air charge piping goes under the car and not above the engine.
These XC70s are nice cars. They give the feel of an SUV, you feel like sitting high, with an actual usable boot… wagon rear overhang > SUV/CUV overhang.
There are good Volvo specialists in your neck of the woods too.
My son works at a car dealership and my Volvo came in as a trade-in. My son bought it for me at cost, which was just over $10000 with a 4 year warranty, which I have already claimed on as the air con packed up. It sits a little higher than my VE Commodore sports wagon so is a little easier for me to get in and out of. As I mentioned before it has a reputation as being a somewhat soggy handler, but I honestly haven’t got any complaints. We’re going to drive it north at the end of the month and I intend to take it on some dirt tracks, so I’ll see what it’s like off-road. Nothing too rough though. I’ve booked it in for a service next week, so I’ll find out how expensive maintenance costs will be compared to my Commodore.
Wow – I don’t think I’ve seen more than a handful of the V8 S80 in my life. One was an Executive edition with the unique C-pillar badges – it belonged to the owner of my local Volvo dealer. This car is a 2006-2008, since it has the older “VOLVO” trunk script, as opposed to the “V O L V O” script of the 2009 and later. Also, the 2010 is the only V8 S80 with the newer grille badge (which is known to peel).
It’s also ironic how this generation of Volvo’s “flagship” started with I6 and V8 options (and optional AWD), and ended with a lone 4-cylinder, FWD drivetrain option.
And I agree with gtemnykh – if I were buying one of these cars, it would be the T6 AWD, hands-down.
These were very overpriced when new. However they make a great buy used. In fact, they make such a great buy used that I bought one; a 2012 model with the 3.2 straight six! So far I have been pretty happy with it and haven’t had any major problems. It gets around 31 mpg on the highway and I feel that it has more than enough power. Around the same as the Pontiac G8 V6 I had previously while getting better millage.
Unlike William I actually like the interior. The design is very appealing, the materials are of good quality and all of the controls are easy to use. Additionally the seats are very comfortable for a long drive. It isn’t a sporty handler but that wasn’t what I was looking for when I bought it.
I will say that it handles very well in the snow, rides smoothly and has great active safety features. Plus top safety ratings. All for the price of a well optioned Honda Civic. I think I did rather well on the deal.
Finally someone that gets it, thanks MPAVictoria for a owners perspective.
To the writer WILLIAM STOPFORD, 1st of all, if you have NOT driven or done a full test drive, your curbside review is VERY miss leading overall.
The engine options offered in America means different suspension options:
2.5L Inline 5 – T5 FWD
3.2L Inline 6 (N/A) FWD
3.0L Inline 6 Turbo – T6 – AWD optional
4.4L V8 (N/A) AWD standard
The S80 had different suspension offered with each engine – a package.
Example the 3.2L engines didnt come with 4C. Most T6 didnt select the 4C option neither. So when your explaining how the 3.2L felt is completely different from the V8 which STANDARD has 4C plus (Sport) stiffened suspension and a unique swaybar only for the V8. Most car reviews sites rate the V8 ride quality as firm overall since its comfort mode isnt soft comfort enough and its advance mode too harsh???
The Yamaha engine is very reliable in comparison to any of there Turbo models(T4/T5/T6) with the only issue being the balance shaft,which Volvo issued a recall to the effected VIN numbers. Now if the owner failed to have this correct, thats there problem for going back to the dealer to have this preventive issue fixed for FREE during the time/recall!
No other issues or problems exist , just follow the recommend maintenance chart. Theres a owner on Swedespeed with a V8 S80 with now over 300k on original engine & internals (http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread.php?193376-Photo-Shoot-of-my-S80-V8-AWD-to-Celebrate-it-Reaching-200k-Miles)
The worst/least reliable engine made/shared by Volvo is the joint PRV engine shared in the DeLorean & Volvo 760/960.
Yes, the S40,S60 & S80 look SIMILAR, and thats all folks, they look “a like” but do not share platforms nor anything else. The only part they share are the door mirrors. With that the S80 is obviously bigger/wider inside & outside which giv it a mature look/appearance.
The interior is simply a Volvo thing, you either like it or not. Its scandinavian style with elegance as most other makers have very cluttered airplane like interiors and technology that needs replacement every 5yrs. The seats like all Volvos are soft & very comfortable and meant for comfort not auto crossing. To me the best sporty Volvo seats are in the S60R/V70R.
Now back to the S80, I think most people didnt want a luxury BMW or Mercedes but prefer something. I like the S80 cause it DIFFERENT in a Volvo way/design all around.