2004 Volvo S80 Review

A new version of Volvo's 2004 flagship S80 sedan gets all-wheel drive, which enhances traction and the automaker's safety image in a market increasingly filled with desirable upscale competitors.

The S80 started out with a bang when introduced for 1999. It replaced its S90 predecessor model, getting front-drive instead of rear-drive, different styling, new safety items and a high-performance version.

The S80 continues to be above-average in most respects. But some potential buyers still are waiting for a V-8 to help the car better compete with higher-end European and Japanese models. And the S80's age has reached a point where sales have slowed and features such as all-wheel drive are needed to give it a shot in the arm.

Also new for the 2004 S80 are a reworked front fascia, with the soft-nose section around the revised grille getting a new profile with a gentler transition to the body sides. There's also a redesigned front spoiler and fog lights.

Door mirrors have been redesigned to reduce wind noise, while the rear end has been redone for a more distinctive style. There's a new one-piece trunk lid, and taillights have been made smaller because they've been criticized for being too large. The rear bumper is more rounded and color-matched to the car's body.

Brake lights feature LED (Light Emitting Diode) technology instead of traditional bulbs, which means they are activated more quickly. The rear bumper has a more rounded profile and is color-matched to the car's body.

Redesigned door panels blend better into the instrument panel, and front doors have new handles that make it easier to reach and close an open door.

Ventilation controls are accented with chromed inlays to help brighten the interior.

Gauges in the instrument pod have been redesigned to make them look both sportier and more elegant, although the important thing is that they're easy to read.

A three-spoke wood sports steering wheel is newly optional.

The S80 never has been inexpensive. Prices of the 2004 S80 go from $37,045 for the well-equipped base model to $48,515 for the T6 Premier model, which adds such things as heated seats, power rear sunshade and DVD rear entertainment system.

Horsepower of S80 five-cylinder models is 194 and 208, while a six-cylinder engine produces 268 horsepower. The 208-horsepower engine is available only with the all-wheel-drive system and has a single light-pressure turbocharger. The highest-horsepower engine has twin turbochargers.

The 208-horsepower engine works with a responsive five-speed automatic transmission, but the other two engines are hooked to a four-speed automatic.

Fuel economy is approximately in the high teens in the city and high 20s on highways with all engines.

Option packages cost from $625 to $2,495 and contain such items as leather seats, power glass sunroof and a power passenger seat. Neither front power seat works unless the ignition key has been switched to the accessory position.

The all-wheel-drive S80 version I tested was the $37,200 2.5 T AWD. Its 2.5-liter engine exhibited virtually no turbo lag (slight delay before acceleration) and loafed at highway speeds. The engine is one of the few these days that isn't hidden by a large, unsightly plastic cover. It's set sideways partly to allow more occupant "crush'' space in an accident.

That's Volvo for you, always looking to keep a leg up on rivals when it comes to safety. Among standard safety features are front side air bags and curtain side air bags. But most rivals also now are loaded with safety items, which is why Volvo is giving the S80 more pizzazz.

The all-wheel-drive system is borrowed from Volvo's S60 sedan and requires no driver involvement. It operates so seamlessly you wouldn't even know it's there. However, the sophisticated, electronically controlled system is most assuredly there when needed.

In normal driving situations, the system mainly powers the front wheels. It delivers power to the rear wheels when it detects that the front ones have lost traction and begun to spin. By measuring such things as front-wheel spin, the system determines how quickly to distribute power and how much power to distribute. Up to 65 percent of engine power can be sent to the rear wheels.

The all-wheel-drive system can communicate with the car's traction- and stability-control systems to optimize traction in nearly all driving situations.

Although it's no sports sedan, my test S80 was pretty fast. Its steering was quick, although it had a rather artificial feel at highway speeds. Handling was good, and the supple suspension and fairly long 109.9-inch wheelbase made it an easy rider. The 268-horsepower T6 model with its firmer suspension and larger tires delivers slightly better handling.

The brake pedal is on the soft side, but has a nice feel. Emergency stopping distances are short with the standard anti-lock brake system.

All doors open wide to allow easy entry to the quiet interior of the S80, which comfortably seats four tall adults, or five on shorter trips. The front seats are supportive. So are the rear ones, which often isn't the case even with upscale sedans.

Audio system and climate controls are large, but the tilt-telescopic steering wheel needs more up-down movement. A pop-up front cupholder has an odd design, but solid rear cupholders slide out from the center armrest.

The front power windows are virtually impossible to stop once they're zipping down or up with their "one-touch'' feature, and rear windows don't quite lower all the way.

Occupants are surrounded by storage areas, and the large trunk has a lid that moves up well out of the way on hydraulic struts that don't eat into cargo room. Rear seatbacks fold flat to enlarge the cargo area.

The updates and all-wheel drive should make the S80 more competitive in the upscale sedan market, and the venerable Volvo nameplate sure won't hurt.

2004 VOLVO S80
Price:
$37,045-$48,515

Likes:
New all-wheel drive. Roomy. Nice ride and handling. Comfortable. Noteworthy safety features.

Dislikes:
Steering needs better road feel. Odd front pop-up cupholder. Tilt steering wheel could use more up-down movement.