2006 Volvo S80 Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

All 2006 versions of Volvo's largest sedan have a 208-hp turbocharged 5-cyl engine. Discontinued are T6 and Premier models, which had a 268-hp turbocharged 6-cyl. Due for 2007 is a redesigned S80 with new styling and an available V8 engine. The '06 is available as the 2.5T model with front-wheel drive or as the AWD 2.5T with all-wheel drive. Traction control, ABS, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags are standard. An antiskid system is optional. Available is Volvo's Four-C suspension with driver-selectable Comfort and Sport settings. Leather seating is standard. Options include a navigation system and rear obstacle detection.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Premium Large Cars are top-of-the-line sedans in size and luxury. Many are manufacturer flagships and/or showcases for the newest automotive technology. Some have 6-figure price tags.

Our Best Buys include Audi A8 and Lexus LS 430. Our Recommended pick is Cadillac DTS.

Buick Lucerne is new or significantly redesigned.

2006 Volvo S80 Road Test

Pros	Cons

Passenger and cargo room	Radio and navigation-system controls

Build quality	Rear visibility

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

2.5T	2.5T w/Four-C, nav. sys.	AWD 2.5T	Class Average
6	6	6	6.9

Good acceleration with little turbo lag, though test AWD version suffered nonlinear throttle action. Transmission impressively smooth, prompt-shifting.

Fuel Economy

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

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

Ride Quality

2.5T	2.5T w/Four-C, nav. sys.	AWD 2.5T	Class Average
7	8	7	8.5

Comfortably absorbent, though a bit too floaty over fast humps. Conventional 17s give 2.5T AWD and 2.5T harsher reactions to bumps, but less float. No opportunity to test with run-flat tires. Four-C's Comfort mode softer than base suspension and allows some float, but firms with speed; tauter Sport mode quells float, is never harsh.

Steering/Handling/Braking

2.5T	2.5T w/Four-C, nav. sys.	AWD 2.5T	Class Average
7	7	7	6.9

Even with base suspension, S80s are sure-footed, fairly agile for their size. Good steering feel, response. 2.5T AWD adds measure of security in slippery conditions. Short, undramatic simulated panic stops, but some testers complain of poor pedal modulation.

Quietness

2.5T	2.5T w/Four-C, nav. sys.	AWD 2.5T	Class Average
7	7	7	8.5

Volvo's 5-cyl isn't objectionably noisy, but is louder than most rival V6s. Little wind noise. Tire thrum evident on coarse pavement.

Controls

2.5T	2.5T w/Four-C, nav. sys.	AWD 2.5T	Class Average
6	4	6	5.9

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. Real wood complements other sophisticated cabin materials, solid workmanship.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

2.5T	2.5T w/Four-C, nav. sys.	AWD 2.5T	Class Average
8	8	8	9

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	2.5T w/Four-C, nav. sys.	AWD 2.5T	Class Average
7	7	7	8.1

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.

Cargo Room

2.5T	2.5T w/Four-C, nav. sys.	AWD 2.5T	Class Average
4	4	4	5

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	2.5T w/Four-C, nav. sys.	AWD 2.5T	Class Average
3	3	4	5.4

S80 feels larger and more substantial than many like-priced upscale sedans, but the lack of a 6- or 8-cyl engine in this class is a major drawback. The 2.5T AWD adds the security of all-wheel drive, but is hard to recommend over AWD competitors or even Volvo's own lower-cost AWD S60.

Total Score

2.5T	2.5T w/Four-C, nav. sys.	AWD 2.5T	Class Average
60	59	61	68.4

Scores for all Premium Large Cars

Low Score		59
Average Score		68
High Score		79

2006 Volvo S80 Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 06/13/2006

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

2.5T 4-door sedan	$37,585	$35,365	$695

AWD 2.5T 4-door sedan	$39,360	$37,033	$695

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 trunklid release.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning w/dual-zone automatic climate controls, power steering, tilt/telescope wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, leather upholstery, front bucket seats, 8-way power front seats w/lumbar adjustment, memory system (driver seat, mirrors), center console, cupholders, fold-flat passenger seat, split folding rear seat w/trunk pass-through, power-folding rear headrests, wood interior trim, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, power sunroof, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, trip computer, intermittent wipers, illuminated visor mirrors, outside-temperature indicator, map lights, rear defogger, floormats, theft-deterrent system.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Front and rear fog lights, 225/50R17 tires, alloy wheels, AWD adds: all-wheel drive.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Convenience Pkg.
2.5T	$1,340	$1,152
Rear-obstacle-detection system, universal garage door opener, automatic day/night rearview mirror, sunglasses holder, grocery-bag holder, laminated side windows.

Climate Pkg.
2.5T	$1,025	$881
Heated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, headlight wipers/washers.

Run-Flat Pkg.
2.5T	$1,970	$1,693
Antiskid system, tire-pressure monitor, variable-assist power steering, 235/45HR17 run-flat tires. NA w/chrome alloy wheels.

Four-C Chassis
2.5T	$995	$855
Driver-selectable and computer-controlled adjustable shock absorbers. Requires Dynamic Stability Traction Control. NA AWD.

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

Comfort and Convenience Features
Navigation system
2.5T	$2,120	$1,823


AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer
2.5T	$1,200	$1,032


Satellite prep
2.5T	$75	$64


Interior air quality system
2.5T	$175	$150


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Bi-xenon headlights
2.5T	$700	$602
Requires Climate Pkg.

Special paint
2.5T	$475	$408


Pearlescent paint
2.5T	$625	$537


235/40ZR18 tires
	$995	$855
Includes variable-assist power steering.

Chrome alloy wheels
2.5T	$1,495	$1,285

2006 Volvo S80 Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Volvo S80 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	109.9

Overall Length, in.	190.9

Overall Width, in.	72.1

Overall Height, in.	57.2

Curb Weight, lbs.	3576

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	14.4

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	18.0

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	37.5

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.2

Rear Head Room, in.	37.6

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	35.9

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

Engines

	Turbocharged dohc I5

Size, liters/cu. in.	2.5 /153

Horsepower @ rpm.	208 @ 5000

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

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

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

Front Impact, Driver	5

Front Impact, Passenger	5

Rollover Resistance	5

Side Impact, Driver	5

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	5

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	12/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, all-wheel drive

< 2006 Volvo S80 Photos

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