2006 Volvo S80 User Reviews

Pros

Superb fuel economy in the D5, very luxurious, eats those Km and great for a transcontinental trip

Cons

The dealership...if you use them that is!!

I live in Romania & bought my mint-condition '02 D5, in early 2006 from a local car dealer. I haven't had a single problem as yet, apart from the very minor issue of a niggly rear-light connection.

I get it serviced about every 10k KM, and the big 2.4L HDi engine certainly 'does the biz'. This machine just purrs along at 120KPH, at just under 2,000 revs. Unlike many other cars cars that offer power, however, this baby is a miser with fuel, turning in around 1,000Km per 60 euro tank of diesel. If we were lucky enough to have a motorway network here, I would get around 12-1400 Km, no doubt. Huge torque, horsepower respectable for a diesel at 163bhp, tho not as good as the S60, which is the sportier machine in the Volvo range anyway.

Inside it is exceptionally comfortable, with all the specs typical of a luxury car. I travel a lot, and have done a 15 hour non-stop trip without feeling in the slightest bit tired (OK, I love driving, so that helps!) thanks to the ergonomically designed seats, very efficient climate control and decent Dolby sound system which plays both CDs and cassettes. Ride quality is excellent (even on Romanian potholes!) although the open-road handling doesn't quite match the BMW rear-wheel-drive experience.

I run a business in the service industry, and need a car to fit the image, which this executive saloon does admirably. I must admit I don't like the boxy appearance of the older Volvos, but that is now a thing of the past, and this car certainly exudes style and refinement.

Perhaps this car's greatest asset, however, is the safety features. It probably IS the word's safest production road car, along with the bigger Mercs, and certainly, my wife and I are not in the least bit scared when sitting in it. Considering some of the lunatic driving you see on Romanian roads, and our own big emphasis on safety (life's a one-night performance, with no encore) this is a big achievement for this car. I know the NCAP ratings place other cars ahead, but look at which governments sponsor the NCAP, and perhaps which auto companies they have an interest in?

Overall, the car doesn't offer the performance of a BMW 5 or Audi A6. Then again, this is an executive car, designed for luxury, comfort and safety, and not performance and sportiness. Still, it is capable of 240KPH (don't ask, please...) without any real effort, and can overtake quickly and safely, which is very important to me. On Romanian roads, it basically gets me where I want to get as quickly as any car can without collecting an album full of speeding tickets....tho I've managed a few of those also!

From many reviews I've read, the biggest drawback with owning this car, and indeed any Volvo, is probably the standards offered by the dealerships, not to mention costs. Certainly, I avoid the Volvo dealers here in Bucharest, as I find their prices to be prohibitive. I have found an excellent local garage that does a full service for half the dealer's price, using all genuine Volvo parts.

Wonderful car all round for long road trips, safety is top-notch, diesel models a snip to run, and they look great too. Only downside is that it is NOt the model for sporty driving on Swiss or Austrian mountain roads, and AVOID THE DEALERS!!...read morehide

Pros

nice ride great seats

Cons

just to many repairs. poor electrical.

Very nice on long trips. Best seats of any car. Very poor electrical and brakes. My wife loves the car but she never brings it in for the constant repairs. Would never buy another Volvo. Owned a 240 a 740 and one lemon S80. Volvo lost me. My other car is a Acura no problems.

Pros

Smoothest highway ride I've ever had, high crash ratings

Cons

Maintenance/Repairs are unacceptable in frequency and cost

I traded in a 1999 Acura TL for a 2004 Volvo S80. Originally, I was looking at the S60, but when I saw this one advertised at $12,000 off the window sticker price, I just on board with 3.9% financing, also positive. Routine service is included (oil changes, tire rotation etc.), but the dealer recommends synthetic oil, which you have to pay for extra if you want it.


The car is attractive enough, and I supposed comfortable enough, but I can't stop comparing it to my TL, which was more comfortable. The car feels a little heavy driving on surface streets, but when I take a road trip, I can find myself going 90miles without feeling the slightest vibration. Unfortunately, I rarely take my own car on road trips (but, I've taken this car more than any in the past, because no rental can compete with the ride).


All of the above goes out the window because this cars maintenance and parts are SO EXPENSIVE and repairs are FREQUENT. In two years, this car needed more repairs than my TL did in five years. The front break pads were worn out before 20k miles (Acura lasted 50k). A crack appeared in one of my front headlights, $1,200 JUST FOR THE PART! The headlights bulbs were burnt out in just over two years, looks like replacements will run $400. I purchased an extended warranty (and was disappointed to find that there was no discounted aftermarket extended warranty available) and have been able to use it only for AAA type things. For the life of me, I cannot get VOLVO to send me a copy of the warranty coverage details. This car simply isn't work the headache and cost. At this rate, I will burn through the $12,000 discount in no time and will still have a car that I sort of like, not even remotely love. I hope to get back into an Acura TL before the summer; I've learned my lesson, next time I buy, I will check maintenance prices and customer long-term reviews before I buy.


I did so much research before buying this car, I thought I was well informed, but I wasn’t. I’m just glad I didn’t pay sticker....read morehide

Pros

THE CAR OVERALL

Cons

THE SERVICE OVERALL

Before you buy your volvo, please make sure that you have a respectful service in your area that values customers.

Very difficult to find

Pros

Safety; longevity; Front Wheel drive (better in snow); fuel efficient

Cons

Not as sporty as a 5 series; no 2.9 liter or T6. Waiting for the 2007 S80.

I read that someone commented about the headrests; she mentioned that they do not move forward. It is because of safety reasons; the car is built to reduce head injuries or should I say help with whiplash. The seats are actually well built. The car overall is powerful enough; it is not as sporty as the 5 series but it shouldn’t be because it’s a flagship. Drive it proudly. Also, Volvo’s emphasis is on safety and longevity. My parents have been driving Volvo for many years; the average Volvo lasts for 21 years not to mention all of the older models such as the DL that are still on the road.

The car also handles pretty decent on European roads....read morehide

Pros

safe and sturdy ride. Good pick up and handling compared to my previous car made in Asia

Cons

silly enough but not enough cup holders for family driving

Am very happy with the performance and handling of this car. We purchased the volvo xc90 last year and were so happy with it we went back to Volvo for our next car. The safety and performance for the price gives us comfort when the kids are in the car. You get a lot of value/safety features from volvo for the price compared to other European cars....read morehide

Pros

safety, front seats are excellent, build quality, tight solid ride, 25 MPG in mixed driving

Cons

engine is not as refined as in its competition.

The 60/40 back set folds down, a nice touch that the Japanese cars down offer. Impressive build quality. cost to insure is reasonable. Quiet at freeway speeds, road and wind noise is muted.

Pros

it has a very satisfactory security, a very good fuel economy

Cons

turbo takes a long time to activate

it has an excellent comfort and the inside is very silence. A good estability in the road.

Pros

Acceleration on highway is good, AWD (including traction control) is like riding on tracks

Cons

Gas milage is not nearly as good as dealer (+Volvo) promised

I love everything about this car (2006 2.5 AWD) except the gas mileage. Dealer told me that this car should get around 22-23 MPG around town using 87 octane. My actual mileage is closer to a combined 17-18 MPG (city and highway), and I don't gun the car from light to light. I suspect that highway mileage is close to advertised. City driving is much less. Proves, once again, that you cannot believe everything you are told by a dealer....read morehide

Pros

I have a 2001 S80, love the way it looks

Cons

alot of road noise, no auto lumbar support in seat??

The head rests do not move backwards so your head is always forward,hard on the neck. I hate the black stuff all over the rims and the car from the brakes, hard to keep clean..real hard to see the curb to park because of the hood shape.Parts are very spendy.
My headlight(drivers side) has moisture inside since day one, they can't seem to fix it.
would not buy another Volvo unless these issues were solved....read morehide