Volvo S80 II (AS) (2006 – 2016)

Reliability score : 7.8/10

The Volvo S80 Generation II (AS), introduced in 2006, is Volvo's flagship executive sedan. Built on the Ford-derived EUCD platform (shared with the V70, XC70, Ford Mondeo, and S-Max), it represents a significant leap in refinement, safety, and technological integration over its predecessor. Unlike its German rivals, the S80 prioritizes supreme comfort, understated Scandinavian design, and world-class safety (introducing features like City Safety, BLIS, and adaptive cruise control) over sporty driving dynamics. Throughout its 10-year lifespan, it received two major updates (2009 and 2013) and saw a massive transition in powertrains: starting with large-displacement engines (including a Yamaha-developed V8 and a turbocharged inline-6) and ending with Volvo's highly efficient, in-house 2.0L 4

✅ Strengths

Exceptional seat comfort (arguably the best in the industry).
Outstanding passive and active safety features.
High-quality interior materials that age very well.
Excellent rust protection and paint quality.
Superb audio systems (Dynaudio and Premium Sound).
Smooth and characterful 5-cylinder and V8 engines.

⚠️ Weaknesses

Heavy chassis; lacks the dynamic handling of a BMW 5 Series.
Large turning radius, making city parking cumbersome.
Aisin 6-speed automatic is sluggish and saps performance.
Early infotainment systems (RTI navigation) are severely outdated.
High fuel consumption on 6-cylinder and V8 petrol models.
1.6D engine is underpowered and problematic for a car of this weight.

🎯 Verdict

The Volvo S80 II is a highly underrated luxury sedan that offers unbeatable value on the used market. It is the ultimate anti-status symbol: discreet, supremely comfortable, and incredibly safe. However, engine choice is paramount. Avoid the 1.6D at all costs, and be very cautious with early 4-cylinder VEA engines (2014-2016) due to oil consumption. The sweet spots are the 2.5T petrol and the D5 5-cylinder diesel (provided the auxiliary belt is strictly maintained). The Yamaha V8 and T6 offer fantastic performance but come with high running costs. Always prioritize a car with documented transmission fluid changes.