Volvo S80 II (AS) (2006 – 2016)

Reliability score : 8.2/10

The Volvo S80 Generation II (AS), built on the Ford EUCD platform (shared with the V70, XC70, and Ford Mondeo), is a premium executive sedan that prioritizes supreme comfort, understated elegance, and world-class safety over sporty driving dynamics. Introduced in 2006, it underwent several updates: a minor facelift in 2009, a significant interior and tech update in 2011 (Sensus infotainment), and a major facelift in 2013 which introduced the new VEA (Volvo Engine Architecture) 4-cylinder engines. While petrol variants like the Yamaha-developed V8 and the turbocharged T6 offer effortless cruising, the diesel engines are the true heart of the S80 in Europe, offering exceptional highway range. The diesel lineup is complex, spanning from outsourced PSA (Peugeot-Citroën) 4-cylinders to Volvo's

✅ Strengths

Exceptional seat comfort (arguably the best in its class)
Legendary durability of the Volvo 5-cylinder diesel engines (D3, D4, D5)
Outstanding rust protection and build quality
Top-tier safety features (City Safety, BLIS, robust chassis)
High-end audio systems (Dynaudio / Harman Kardon)
Understated, timeless exterior design

⚠️ Weaknesses

Ford Powershift transmission on 4-cylinder models is a major reliability liability
Catastrophic engine failure risk on 5-cyl diesels if the auxiliary belt is neglected
Heavy chassis leads to accelerated wear on suspension components (bushes, control arms)
Large turning circle makes city parking difficult
Early Sensus infotainment systems feel very dated today
High fuel consumption on 6-cylinder and V8 petrol models

🎯 Verdict

The Volvo S80 II is a phenomenal used car bargain for long-distance drivers, provided you buy the right specification. The absolute sweet spot is a late-model (2010-2014) D4 or D5 5-cylinder diesel paired with the Aisin Geartronic automatic transmission. These engines easily exceed 400,000 km if the auxiliary belt is strictly maintained. Avoid the 1.6D and 2.0D PSA engines, especially if paired with the Ford Powershift transmission, as they introduce unnecessary reliability risks into an otherwise solid car. If you prefer petrol, the 2.5T is bulletproof, while the V8 is a future classic. Always budget for a transmission fluid flush and a suspension check upon purchase.