EDMUNDS.COM 2004 VOLVO S80
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 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
When it comes to ride comfort, feature content and uncompromised safety, the S80 excels, but for those who prefer a little sport in their sedans, the S80 will leave you wishing for more.
Pros
Loaded with outstanding safety innovations and features, quick on its feet in T6 trim, spacious backseat, soothing ride.
Cons
Suspension still doesn''t feel athletic even with Four-C system, turbo lag can be annoying around town, gets pricey with options.
What''s New for 2004
The S80 received a minor refresh this year that includes a modified grille, additional chrome trim and a revised rear fascia for the exterior along with a new gauge cluster and door panels for the interior. Volvo''s Four-C adjustable suspension is a new option on all trim levels. All-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive versions of the 2.5T will be added midyear, but neither can be ordered in conjunction with the Four-C suspension. Finally, the T6 Premier replaces the T6 Elite as the top trim level.
Overview
Introduction:
Boring and boxy, but safe. That''s how most Americans view Volvos. This Swedish carmaker has been churning out thousands of seemingly indestructible sedans and wagons for more than half a century; each one dedicated to preserving the life of occupants seemingly at the expense of attractive lines and passionate performance. The cubist design theme reached its peak in the early 1980s, when the Volvo 740 debuted. All sharp angles from top to bottom, it was easy to imagine that Volvo stylists had little more than a T-square and a level at their disposal while toiling in the design studio. When the S80 debuted in 1998, it left behind the straight edges of the past and replaced them with soft, flowing lines that created an entirely new design direction for the brand. Along with the new look came a new level of luxury as well, pushing Volvo into competition with Europe''s most prestigious brands. Although the S80''s ground-breaking design has aged well, intense competition in the luxury sedan segment demands the latest in technology and features. With a full redesign still several years away, Volvo has updated the S80 for 2004 with numerous minor upgrades both inside and out in hopes of keeping its flagship competitive. Only the most keen-eyed Volvo fan is likely to notice the S80''s subtle exterior upgrades. The front end was reshaped with a new grille, foglights and air dam, while smaller side mirrors and chrome accents on the door handles and window frames refine the profile. Changes to the rear include a new chrome-accented trunk lid, reshaped bumper and smaller taillights that house brighter LED bulbs. Volvo admits that the changes are minor, but the idea wasn''t to transform the car, merely polish it up a little. The S80''s interior changes are equally subtle with a slightly altered gauge cluster the most obvious revision. Darker accents highlight the dash, while buyers can now opt for aluminum or wood accents for a different look. Larger door handles make getting in and out easier, and improved materials add to the car''s luxury look and feel. It all adds up to a car that looks and feels refined inside and out. With a range of efficient yet potent engines as well as a new adjustable suspension and available all-wheel drive, the S80 offers a little bit of everything in a safe and stylish package. With plenty of room for four adults, numerous high-end features and a quiet cabin, it makes a great long-distance touring car.
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For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
There is just one four-door body style and four trim levels. The base 2.9 comes well equipped with dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel with satellite cruise and audio controls, cloth upholstery and an eight-speaker CD stereo. Moving up to the T6 adds full leather seating, a power glass sunroof, electronic stability and traction control and the Volvo On Call plus telematics system. The top-of-the-line T6 Premier is further upgraded with rain-sensing windshield wipers, a dual-screen rear-seat DVD entertainment system and unique 17-inch wheels. Available options on all models include a DVD navigation system, the Four-C adjustable suspension, high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights and a premium 10-speaker Dolby audio system. A rear-seat refrigerator is optional on the T6 Premier only.
Powertrains and Performance:
The base 2.9 is equipped with a 2.9-liter inline six-cylinder engine that generates a respectable 194 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. The T6 and T6 Premier models use a twin turbocharged version of the same engine that generates 268 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. When the AWD model is added, it will be powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder with 208 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, but until then, all models are front-wheel drive. Both 2.9-liter engines are mated to four-speed automatic transmissions, while the 2.5-liter gets a five-speed automatic.
Safety:
Volvo''s stability and traction control system is standard on the T6 and T6 Premier and optional on the 2.9. Other active safety features include Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and emergency braking assist. As with all Volvos, safety is paramount; every S80 is replete with side airbags for front passengers, head curtain airbags for front and rear passengers, whiplash-reducing headrests and ISO-FIX child-seat attachment points. The S80 receives perfect marks in all NHTSA crash tests, as well as a "Good" score, the highest possible, in IIHS frontal offset tests.
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For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
Comfort is a Volvo hallmark, and the S80 boasts soft, supportive seats and plenty of room to stretch out. The rear seat is exceptionally roomy, and there are heating and air conditioning vents in the B-pillars to keep the rear passengers at the perfect temperature. The control layout in the S80 could be better, but once you learn where everything is it works well. The dual-screen DVD system in the T6 Premier makes long drives with the kids a no-hassle affair, but even if you''re just heading across town, the S80 will deliver you there in perfect comfort.
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For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
Overall, the S80 handles adequately for a front-wheel-drive car. The optional Four-C adjustable suspension is available for those who like the option of tightening up things a bit on twisty roads, but it''s still not a true sport sedan. The standard six-cylinder cruises quietly but is slow to accelerate, while the turbocharged engine provides excellent midrange power with some noticeable lag before the turbos kick in.
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For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
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