2004 Volvo S80 Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Midyear addition of a new base model completes the 2004 changes to Volvo's flagship sedan. S80 kicked off the model year with freshened styling and newly available all-wheel drive. Offered are 2.5T and T6 models, both with turbocharged engines. The 2.5T versions have a 208-hp 5-cyl and a 5-speed automatic transmission. They come with front-wheel drive or AWD. T6s have a 268-hp inline 6-cyl, 4-speed automatic with manual shift gate, and come only with front drive. The front-drive 2.5T was a midyear replacement for the prior entry-level S80, the 194-hp 2.9 model. Traction control, ABS, front side airbags, and head-protecting curtain side airbags are standard on all S80s. Leather upholstery, sunroof, and an antiskid system are standard on T6s, optional on 2.5Ts. A navigation system, rain-sensing wipers, and Volvo's On-Call Plus assistance system are available. The T6 Premier's rear seat is heated and angled for 2 inches more leg room. It includes a power sunshade and dual-screen video with DVD and TV tuner; a refrigerator is optional. For '04, front and rear fascias and taillamps are revised, as are interior door panels and gauge graphics. Volvo's Four-C (Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept) adjustable suspension option for T6s has driver-selectable Comfort or Sport settings.

2004 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

2.5T AWD	T6 w/Four-C, nav. sys.	T6 Premier	Class Average
6	7	7	6.7

The 2.5T provides good acceleration with little turbo lag, though 2.5T AWD tested suffered nonlinear throttle action. More-potent T6 is smooth, almost free of turbo lag, and quick: 7 sec 0-60 mph in our test. Both transmissions impressively smooth, prompt-shifting.

Fuel Economy

2.5T AWD	T6 w/Four-C, nav. sys.	T6 Premier	Class Average
5	5	5	4.2

Fine for the class. Test 2.5T AWD averaged 20.0 mpg in mostly highway driving. Test T6s averaged 19.7-20.7 mpg. Volvo recommends premium-grade fuel for both engines.

Ride Quality

2.5T AWD	T6 w/Four-C, nav. sys.	T6 Premier	Class Average
7	8	7	8.2

Comfortably absorbent on 2.5T models with 16-inch tires, though a bit too floaty over fast humps. 2.5T AWD and 2.5T with optional 17s have harsher reactions to bumps but less float. Firmer T6 is more stable at speed but can jiggle on broken surfaces. Four-C's Comfort mode softer than standard T6 base suspension and allows some float, but firms with speed; tauter Sport mode quells float, never is harsh.

Steering/Handling/Braking

2.5T AWD	T6 w/Four-C, nav. sys.	T6 Premier	Class Average
7	7	7	6.8

Even with base suspension, S80s are sure-footed and fairly agile for their size. Steering-system revisions for '04 eliminate numb, overassisted feel of previous setup. 2.5T AWD adds extra measure of security. T6 benefits slightly from Four-C's Sport setting. Short, undramatic simulated emergency stops, but some testers complain of poor pedal modulation.

Quietness

2.5T AWD	T6 w/Four-C, nav. sys.	T6 Premier	Class Average
7	7	7	8

Little engine or wind noise. Tire thrum evident on coarse pavement.

Controls

2.5T AWD	T6 w/Four-C, nav. sys.	T6 Premier	Class Average
6	4	6	6.1

Classy gauges. Rational controls, with two exceptions: Some audio functions are not intuitive, and navigation system uses odd pop-up screen that's hard to read in sunlight and is controlled by tricky buttons on back of steering wheel. Sophisticated materials, solid workmanship.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

2.5T AWD	T6 w/Four-C, nav. sys.	T6 Premier	Class Average
8	8	8	8.6

Wide, plush seats. Plenty of leg space. Good 6-footer head clearance even with sunroof. Take-charge driving stance is very adjustable. Front headrests impede visibility astern, though rears can be folded down via dashboard button--a handy feature.

Room/Comfort (rear)

2.5T AWD	T6 w/Four-C, nav. sys.	T6 Premier	Class Average
7	7	9	8.2

Generous leg room. Good head room and under-seat foot space. No-strain entry/exit. Still, two adults are happier than three on long trips. Premier's luxury trimmings border on opulent.

Cargo Room

2.5T AWD	T6 w/Four-C, nav. sys.	T6 Premier	Class Average
4	4	4	4.9

Trunk aperture isn't that large, though lid opens more than 90 degrees, and floor is long, wide, and flat. Split rear seatbacks drop fully without removing headrests.

Value within Class

2.5T AWD	T6 w/Four-C, nav. sys.	T6 Premier	Class Average
3	4	3	5.1

The base 2.5T model feels larger and more substantial than many like-priced upscale sedans, though amenties such as leather upholstery and sunroof are optional here and standard on most rivals. The 2.5T AWD adds the security of AWD, but is hard to recommend over AWD competitors or even Volvo's own AWD S60. The T6 is the best all-around luxury value in this line, while the Premier pampers rear-seaters for less than other makers charge for similar features.

Total Score

2.5T AWD	T6 w/Four-C, nav. sys.	T6 Premier	Class Average
60	61	63	66.8

Scores for all Premium Large Cars

Low Score		57
Average Score		66
High Score		80

2004 Volvo S80 Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 08/31/2004

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

FWD 2.5T 4-door sedan	$35,450	$33,358	$685

AWD 2.5T 4-door sedan	$37,200	$35,003	$685

FWD T6 4-door sedan	$44,525	$41,888	$685

FWD T6 Premier 4-door sedan	$48,515	$45,639	$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

2.5T

Powertrain

2.5-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder engine , 5-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, front bucket seats , 8-way power driver w/memory, fold-flat passenger seat, 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, digital clock, tachometer, trip computer, variable-intermittent wipers, rear defogger, illuminated visor mirrors, outside-temperature indicator, universal garage-door opener, map lights, floormats, theft-deterrent system.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Rear fog light, 215/55HR16 tires, alloy wheels, AWD adds: all-wheel drive, heated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, headlight wiper/washer.

T6 adds to 2.5T:

Powertrain

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

Safety

Antiskid system, On-Call Plus assistance system w/one-year service.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather upholstery, 8-way power passenger seat, power sunroof, automatic day/night rearview mirror.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Front fog lights, 225/50HR17 tires.

T6 Premier adds to T6:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Heated front and rear seats, DVD player, TV tuner, 2 rear screens, wireless headphones, power rear sunshade, rain-sensing wipers.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Headlight wiper/washer.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Premium Pkg.
2.5T	$3,050	$2,623
Leather upholstery, power passenger seat, power sunroof.

Warm Weather Pkg.
T6	$825	$709
T6 w/Climate Pkg.	$750	$642
Infrared-reflective windshield, rear and side sunshades, interior air-quality system.

Climate Pkg.
T6	$675	$580
2.5T 2WD	$550	$473
Heated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, headlight wipers/washers, interior air-quality system (T6).

Four-C Chassis
T6, T6 Premier	$995	$855
Driver-selectable and computer-controlled adjustable shock absorbers.

Touring Pkg.
2.5T	$690	$592
Automatic day/night rearview mirror, interior air-quality system, security-laminated side windows, grocery-bag holder.

Safety
Dynamic Stability Traction Control
2.5T	$695	$597
Antiskid system.

Rear-obstacle-detection system
2.5T, T6, T6 Premier	$400	$344


Comfort and Convenience Features
Navigation system
2.5T, T6, T6 Premier	$1,995	$1,715


On-Call Plus
2.5T	$835	$718
On Call Plus Assistance system. Includes one-year service.

Refrigerator
T6 Premier	$900	$774
Mounted in back-seat center armrest.

In-dash 4-disc CD changer
2.5T, T6, T6 Premier	$1,200	$1,032
Deletes cassette player.

Appearance and Miscellaneous
Xenon headlights
2.5T, T6, T6 Premier	$500	$430
2.5T 2WD, T6 require Climate Pkg.

Special paint
2.5T, T6, T6 Premier	$450	$387


Interceptor/Stentor alloy wheels
2.5T	$500	$430
T6 Premier	$250	$215
2.5T includes variable-assist power steering, 225/50HR17 tires. Std. T6.

2004 Volvo S80 Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Volvo S80 4-door sedan	Volvo S80 T6 Premier 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.	3626	3703

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

	Turbocharged dohc I5	Turbocharged dohc I6

Size, liters/cu. in.	2.5 /153	2.9 /178

Horsepower @ rpm.	208 @ 5000	268 @ 5200

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	236 @ 1500	280 @ 1800

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

4-speed automatic	--/--	19/26

5-speed automatic	20/27	--/--

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 Premier 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

< 2004 Volvo S80 Photos

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