2003 Volvo S80 Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Volvo's flagship sedan gains an available assistance system for 2003. The S80 comes as a base 2.9 model and as the T6 and the top-line T6 Elite. All have an inline 6-cyl engine, the 2.9 with 194 hp, the others with a turbocharger and 268 hp. A 4-speed automatic is the only transmission; the T6s's unit has a manual shift gate. T6 and Elite come with 17-inch wheels, which are optional for the 2.9 in place of 16s. Standard features include antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, traction control, front side airbags, and head-protecting curtain side airbags. Leather upholstery and an antiskid system are optional on the 2.9, standard on the other models. A navigation system is available on all. The Elite's rear seat is divided by a center console, heated, and angled to provide 2 inches more leg room. It accommodates two passengers and includes a power sunshade, DVD video and TV tuner, and a refrigerated compartment. New for '03 is Volvo's On-Call Plus assistance system; it's optional on the 2.9 and standard on other models. Rain-sensing wipers are a new option.

Competition

With wide price ranges and numerous body configurations, this diverse segment has two clear Best Buy choices--the refined Lexus LS 430 and the unique Audi A6. The LS 430 can't be beat for comfort and features at around $55,000, while the A6 earns Best Buy status for its blend of space, performance, design sophistication, powertrain choices, and workmanship at prices below those of most rivals.

We Recommend the Acura RL--a steal at around $45,000 fully equipped. Though it is a front-drive V6 in a field of V8 rear-drive models, it has a great ride, plenty of power, and is quite luxurious. If you are looking for something a bit more sporting, we Recommend BMW 5-Series. If your taste ranges more toward the luxury end, then take a look at the roomy Cadillac DeVille.

News

Buyers and manufacturers alike are really preoccupied with light trucks. How much? Well, consider late word that Volvo's next top-line sedan is being redrawn with the XC90 SUV platform as the starting point. The result, sources say, will be a larger S80 with a 2-inch longer wheelbase and all-wheel drive as standard or optional. The redesigned S80, due in fall 2004 as an '05 model, is also said to exchange a transverse inline-6 for a V6, likely a larger, improved version of parent Ford's "Duratec" engine, perhaps turbocharged or supercharged on uplevel models. Using an SUV platform also suggests a possible first-time big-Volvo wagon, which would almost surely be tagged V90. Interestingly enough, Volvo considered an "S80 wagon," but decided there was no market for it. Of course, these and other ideas could be shot down in Ford's current cost-saving recovery program, but for now it seems the next S80 will have at least some SUV DNA.

Meantime, the S80 line lost more sales ground in calendar 2002, sliding nearly 24 percent from 2001 after a 13-percent dip in 2000. But Volvo dealers probably aren't crying much, now that they have the profitable XC90 to sell.

2003 Volvo S80 Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration (T6)	Radio and navigation-system controls

Passenger and cargo room	Rear visibility

Build quality

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

2.9	T6 w/nav. sys.	T6 Elite	Class Average
5	7	7	6.5

Base 2.9 is adequate, but most similarly priced rivals are its equal or faster. More-potent T6 is smooth, almost free of turbo lag, and quick: 7 sec in our 0-60 mph test. Automatic transmission is impressively smooth and prompt.

Fuel Economy

2.9	T6 w/nav. sys.	T6 Elite	Class Average
5	5	5	4.1

Fine for the class. One test 2.9 averaged 19.2 mpg with lots of highway miles; another logged 26.0 on a long, fast trip. Test T6s returned 19.7-20.7 mpg. Volvo recommends premium fuel for all.

Ride Quality

2.9	T6 w/nav. sys.	T6 Elite	Class Average
8	7	7	8.2

The 2.9 is an easy rider, but a bit too soft over fast humps. Firmer-damped T6 is more stable at speed but stiffly sprung and jiggly in town.

Steering/Handling/Braking

2.9	T6 w/nav. sys.	T6 Elite	Class Average
6	7	7	6.6

All models are surefooted and fairly agile for their size despite slightly numb, overassisted steering. T6s have more grip and sharper turn-in. Brakes feel overboosted too, but simulated emergency stops are short and undramatic.

Quietness

2.9	T6 w/nav. sys.	T6 Elite	Class Average
7	7	7	7.8

Little engine or wind noise, so tire thrum is evident on coarse pavement.

Controls

2.9	T6 w/nav. sys.	T6 Elite	Class Average
7	5	7	5.7

No real problems, but some audio functions aren't intuitive. Optional navigation system looks like an afterthought, with tricky controls on the back of the steering wheel and an odd pop-up screen that's hard to read.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

2.9	T6 w/nav. sys.	T6 Elite	Class Average
8	8	8	8.1

Wide, plush seats, plenty of leg space, good 6-footer head clearance even with available sunroof. Take-charge driving stance is very adjustable. Visibility impeded to the rear.

Room/Comfort (rear)

2.9	T6 w/nav. sys.	T6 Elite	Class Average
7	7	9	7.6

S80s have generous leg room, good head room and underseat foot space, no-strain entry/exit. Still, two adults will be happier than three on long trips. Elite's luxury trimmings--built-in TV, refrigerated compartment--border on opulent.

Cargo Room

2.9	T6 w/nav. sys.	T6 Elite	Class Average
4	4	4	4.8

Trunk opening isn't that large, though lid opens more than 90 degrees, and floor is long, wide, and flat. The 2.9 and T6 have split rear seatbacks that drop fully without removing headrests.

Value within Class

2.9	T6 w/nav. sys.	T6 Elite	Class Average
3	4	3	5.3

S80s are roomy, well-built, and competitively priced. The navigation system is a hassle to use, and the 2.9 model lacks acceleration and handling befitting a luxury sedan. The faster T6 is pricier, but actually a better value. The Elite pampers rear-seaters like a Lexus LS 430, which, comparably equipped, costs thousands more.

Total Score

2.9	T6 w/nav. sys.	T6 Elite	Class Average
60	61	64	64.7

Scores for all Premium Large Cars

Low Score		51
Average Score		64
High Score		80

2003 Volvo S80 Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 02/10/2003

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

2.9 4-door sedan	$36,455	$34,267	$685

T6 4-door sedan	$43,935	$41,298	$685

T6 Elite 4-door sedan	$46,995	$44,175	$685

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

2.9

Powertrain

2.9-liter dohc 6-cylinder engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, traction control.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, front-seat active head restraints, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, daytime running lights, emergency inside trunk release.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning w/dual-zone automatic climate controls, interior air filter, power steering, tilt/telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, cloth upholstery, 8-way power front bucket seats w/driver-seat memory, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat w/trunk pass-through, power folding rear headrests, heated power mirrors w/memory, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, tachometer, trip computer, variable-intermittent wipers, rear defogger, illuminated visor mirrors, automatic day/night rearview mirror, outside-temperature indicator, universal garage-door opener, map lights, floormats, power decklid release, theft-deterrent system.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Rear fog light, 215/55R16 tires, alloy wheels.

T6 adds to 2.9:

Powertrain

2.9-liter dohc turbocharged 6-cylinder engine, 4-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability.

Safety

Antiskid system, On-Call Plus (emergency-assistance program w/one-year service fee).

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather upholstery, power sunroof.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Front fog lights, 225/50R17 tires.

T6 Elite adds to T6:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Heated front and rear seats, driver-seat and mirror memory, two rear video screens, television tuner, DVD player, wireless headphones, power rear sunshade, rain-sensing wipers.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Heated headlight wiper/washer.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Premium Pkg.
2.9	$2,650	$2,252
Leather upholstery, power sunroof.

Warm Weather Pkg.
2.9, T6	$825	$700
2.9/T6 ordered w/Climate Pkg.	$750	$637
Infrared reflective windshield, rear and side sunshades, interior air quality system.

Climate Pkg.
2.9, T6	$675	$573
Heated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, heated headlight wipers/washers, interior air quality system.

Powertrain
Dynamic Stability Traction Control
2.9	$695	$590
Antiskid system.

Safety
On-Call Plus Communications System
2.9	$835	$709
Emergency-assistance program. Includes one-year service fee.

Comfort and Convenience Features
Navigation system
2.9, T6, T6 Elite	$1,895	$1,610


Power sunroof
2.9	$1,200	$1,020


Leather upholstery
2.9	$1,400	$1,190


In-dash 4-disc CD changer
2.9, T6, T6 Elite	$1,000	$850
Deletes cassette player.

Rear refrigerator
Elite	$700	$595


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Special paint
2.9, T6	$450	$382
Elite	$0	$0


Pearlescent paint
2.9, T6, T6 Elite	$600	$510


Arrakis alloy wheels
2.9	$500	$425
Includes variable-assist power steering, 225/50R17 tires.

2003 Volvo S80 Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Volvo S80 4-door sedan	Volvo S80 T6 Elite 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	109.9	109.9

Overall Length, in.	189.8	189.8

Overall Width, in.	72.1	72.1

Overall Height, in.	57.2	57.2

Curb Weight, lbs.	3576	3653

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	14.4	14.4

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	21.1	21.1

Seating Capacity	5	5

Front Head Room, in.	38.9	38.9

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.2	42.2

Rear Head Room, in.	37.6	37.6

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	35.9	37.8

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	dohc I6	Turbocharged dohc I6

Size, liters/cu. in.	2.9 /178	2.8 /170

Horsepower @ rpm.	194 @ 5200	268 @ 5200

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	207 @ 4200	280 @ 1800

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

4-speed automatic	20/28	19/26

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Volvo S80 4-door sedan	Volvo S80 T6 Elite 4-door sedan

Front Impact, Driver	5	NA

Front Impact, Passenger	5	NA

Rollover Resistance	5	NA

Side Impact, Driver	5	NA

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	5	NA

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	4/50,000	--

Corrosion	8/unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	4/unlimited	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: Sweden

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

< 2003 Volvo S80 Photos

Also in the 2003 Volvo S80 Review:

Volvo S80

Volvo S80 Road Test

Volvo S80 Prices & Equipment

Volvo S80 Specs & Safety

Volvo S80 Photos

Volvo S80 Full Review

All Volvo S80s

All Volvos