2007 Volvo S80

The Volvo brand has long been synonymous with safety. But, over the years, their Swedish take on luxury and style has also set them apart from most other European efforts. So, it’s no surprise that Volvo has high expectations that their second generation 2007 S80 sedan will draw flocks of the faithful to dealers. But the new S80 is also a high tech showpiece. And that could convince a whole new audience to try the Swedish difference.

Scandinavian design is unmistakable. It signals forms that are clean, functional, and without waste. Throw luxury into the mix, and you have elegance without an ounce of overstatement. And Volvo’s all-new 2007 S80 luxury sedan, the first total rework of their top four-door in nine years, fits the definition perfectly.

Like all top-drawer European cars, the new Volvo S80 makes an evolutionary, rather than revolutionary, styling impression.

Still the sheet metal is more expressive and youthful than before, highlighted by the low- profile tires on 17-inch alloy rims, a less formal sweeping roofline, and tidy dual exhaust.

The S80 rides on a second generation chassis co-managed with parent Ford Motor Company. The revised strut and multilink suspension includes a new front L-brace for better steering feel and bump control. Wheelbase is up 1.7 inches, with 1.2 inches added to length.

Volvo says the growth helps deliver a better ride, as well as added interior room. The front and rear track are up too for improved stability.

However, during our time with the S80, we still found while ride and handling are indeed more stable, the drive was on the stiff side on uneven local roads. So, buyers looking for a softer ride should consider the optional Active Suspension that provides three driver-selectable damping settings.

Hit the start button for the same power trains used in the XC90 utility. Either a 3.2-liter, 235 horsepower inline-6, or our car’s 4.4-liter V8 with 311 horsepower and 325-pound-feet of torque. Both use a 6-speed automatic transmission that has a manual shift mode, in front or foul-weather all-wheel drive

And it was winter weather that kept us from a thorough track session with the S80. Still, street acceleration is quite brisk, with an estimated 6.5 seconds from 0 to 60.

Government Fuel Economy ratings are a little higher than is typical for a V8 all-wheel drive luxury sedan at 17 City and 25 Highway using premium fuel. The Energy Impact Score is a reasonable 17.1 barrels of oil per year.

In keeping with its country of origin, the interior is posh, very comfortable, and neat.

S80 interior room is slightly larger than German rivals like the Audi A6, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and BMW 5-Series. But thankfully iDrive does not translate into Swedish. Controls on the “free-floating” center stack are user friendly to the extreme.

Rear seat room is more than ample, and versatile, with both folding seatbacks and a pass through to a sizable 14.9 cubic foot trunk with a low lift over.

Since safety is a huge part of the Volvo story, it’s there where advanced technology allows the S80 to set new standards for the brand that begins with a new “zoned” body structure that deforms progressively less as the crash energy nears the occupants. A complete airbag complement includes a new front side impact design that employs separate air chambers for the hips and chest. Active headlights that follow the steering through corners are also standard.

Innovative safety options include radar-based Adaptive Cruise Control that includes a Collision Warning system that not only alerts you to an impending accident, but starts to apply the brakes as well.

Optional, too, is the XC90’s Blind Spot Information System that uses cameras in the door mirrors to alert you to hidden vehicles. While a few of our staff found it annoying and switched it off, most found it unobtrusive and helpful.

There’s even a Personal Car Communicator key fob available. The PCC tells you whether the car is locked or unlocked, and includes a heart beat sensor to let you know if someone is inside.

Pricing for the S80 begins at $39,400 for the 6-cylinder. Add a V8 and all-wheel drive and the tab is $45,239.  However, our car with all the safety extras stickered at $56,025. That’s pricey considering navigation is not included.

The new S80 is the most advanced, most accommodating, and likely safest car that Volvo has ever conceived. Moreover, it continues to offers a refreshing take on European-style luxury that makes it a savvy and intelligent choice.