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Photo of a Volvo S80

Volvo S80

Volvo's first V8 sedan: Yamaha-built power, mounted sideways.1

Researched November 9, 2026 from 34 sources

Also called

  • Swedish BuickSports-car enthusiasts on a T6 long-term test used this jab when the front-drive Volvo failed to deliver BMW-like behavior.2
  • geezer-mobileAn age-themed taunt from the T6 long-term test, whose writers found the S80 most convincing as a smooth highway tourer.2

At a glance

0200400
107–324 hpPower
07.515
5.6–11 s0–60 mph
0125250
200–249 km/hTop speed
0250500
190–470 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,565–1,896 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.157101112

Engine
P2: I5/I6, CNG/LPG; P3: 1.6–4.4 L I4/I5/I6/V8, gas/diesel/E8517
Layout
Transverse front engine; front-wheel drive or AWD1
Gearbox
P2: 5-speed manual, 4/5 auto; P3: 5/6 manual, 6/8 auto, 6 dual-clutch1
Built at
Torslanda, Sweden; Halifax, Canada (some MY1999); S80L: Chongqing, China1
Units built
Over 368,000 first-generation cars (1998–2006)1

The story

Made to replace the rear-drive S90 flagship, the S80 arrived in 1998 with a transverse engine and front-wheel drive. The first generation paired WHIPS whiplash protection with inflatable curtains covering both rows.13

1998: P2 replaces the rear-drive flagship19982001: D5 brings common-rail diesel power20012002: 500 cars for Volvo's 75th birthday20022006: P3 arrives with a Yamaha-built V820062009: China gets the 140 mm-longer S80L20092010: Twin-turbo D5; final year for the V820102013: Drive-E brings four cylinders, eight gears20132014: IIHS Top Safety Pick+20142016: Production ends; S90 returns2016 Volvo 200 Series (240/260): 1974–1993Volvo 200 Series (240/260)Volvo 760: 1982–1990Volvo 760Volvo 740: 1984–1992Volvo 740Volvo 940: 1990–1998Volvo 940Volvo 960 / S90 (900 Series): 1990–1998Volvo S80, first generation (P2): 1998–2006P2Volvo S80, second generation (P3): 2006–2016P3Volvo S90, second generation: From 2016 19801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones1202122
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1974–1993Volvo 200 Series (240/260)
1982–1990Volvo 760
1984–1992Volvo 740
1990–1998Volvo 940
1990–1998Volvo 960 / S90 (900 Series)
1998–2006Volvo S80, first generation (P2)
2006–2016Volvo S80, second generation (P3)
From 2016Volvo S90, second generation
1998P2 replaces the rear-drive flagship
2001D5 brings common-rail diesel power
2002500 cars for Volvo's 75th birthday
2006P3 arrives with a Yamaha-built V8
2009China gets the 140 mm-longer S80L
2010Twin-turbo D5; final year for the V8
2013Drive-E brings four cylinders, eight gears
2014IIHS Top Safety Pick+
2016Production ends; S90 returns
  1. 1998

    P2 replaces the rear-drive flagship

    Production starts in August; the S80 takes over from the rear-wheel-drive S90 with a transverse-engine, front-drive layout.1

  2. 2001

    D5 brings common-rail diesel power

    The first-generation D5 arrives late in 2001: a five-cylinder common-rail diesel with 161 hp; some markets get a detuned 2.4D.1

  3. 2002

    500 cars for Volvo's 75th birthday

    The T6 Anniversary Edition adds rear legroom and DVD screens in the front headrests to a run limited to 500 cars.4

  4. 2006

    P3 arrives with a Yamaha-built V8

    Geneva brings the P3 S80 and Volvo's first V8 sedan: a transverse 4.4-liter, 311-hp Yamaha-built engine shared with the XC90.15

  5. 2009

    China gets the 140 mm-longer S80L

    The China-only S80L starts production in February, with 140 mm extra wheelbase, a rear-seat refrigerator and rear entertainment.16

  6. 2010

    Twin-turbo D5; final year for the V8

    MY2010 adds the 202-hp twin-turbo D5 and offers an E85-capable 2.5T FlexiFuel; it is the Yamaha V8's final model year.17

  7. 2013

    Drive-E brings four cylinders, eight gears

    Fall introduces 2.0-liter Drive-E D4 and T5 engines: 181 hp/400 Nm and 245 hp/350 Nm, with a new eight-speed automatic.8

  8. 2014

    IIHS Top Safety Pick+

    For 2014, the S80 earns the highest IIHS award, with a Good rating in the small-overlap crash test.9

  9. 2016

    Production ends; S90 returns

    After two generations, S80 production ends in 2016; the second-generation S90 takes over in the second half of the year.1

Every generation

  • Volvo 200 Series (240/260)
    Volvo 200 Series (240/260)1974–1993
  • Volvo 760
    Volvo 7601982–1990
  • Volvo 740
    Volvo 7401984–1992
  • Volvo 940
    Volvo 9401990–1998
  • Volvo 960 / S90 (900 Series)
    Volvo 960 / S90 (900 Series)1990–1998
  • Volvo S80, first generation
    P21998–2006
  • Volvo S80, second generation
    P32006–2016
  • Volvo S90, second generation
    Volvo S90, second generationFrom 2016

Power over the years

From 268 hp to 324 hp in 14 years.

0100200300400 2000200520102015 hp 1998 · 268 hp · T6 twin-turbo2001 · 161 hp · D5 common-rail diesel2003 · 207 hp · 2.5T2010 · 107 hp · MY2010 1.6D DRIVe2010 · 243 hp · 3.2 six-cylinder update2012 · 163 hp · MY2012 2.0-liter D32012 · 215 hp · MY2012 D52012 · 304 hp · MY2012 T6 AWD2012 · 324 hp · MY2012 T6 Polestar software2013 · 181 hp · Drive-E D42015 · 240 hp · US MY2015 T5 Drive-E (launched 2014) 324 hp MY2012 T6 Polestar software 268 hp T6 twin-turbo
17891013
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1998268T6 twin-turbo
2001161D5 common-rail diesel
20032072.5T
2010107MY2010 1.6D DRIVe
20102433.2 six-cylinder update
2012163MY2012 2.0-liter D3
2012215MY2012 D5
2012304MY2012 T6 AWD
2012324MY2012 T6 Polestar software
2013181Drive-E D4
2015240US MY2015 T5 Drive-E (launched 2014)

Versions

12 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • ES / SE / SE Lux; Kinetic / Momentum / Summum

    Standard

    ES / SE / SE Lux; Kinetic / Momentum / Summum

  • Standard

    T5 Drive-E Premier / Platinum

    2015.5

    240 hp

  • Standard

    2.4 CNG/LPG / FlexiFuel

  • Special

    T6 Executive

    2004

    268 hp

  • Special

    Executive

    2012

  • Special

    Inscription

    2015.5

  • Special

    Edition R-Design

    2010

  • V8

    Performance

    V8

    2007–2010

    311 hp

  • Performance

    Polestar T6 / D5

    2012

  • S80L

    Special

    S80L

    2009–2015

  • Limited

    T6 Anniversary Edition

    2002

    272 hp

  • Limited

    Nilsson S80 300 Limousine

    16 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • Second generation: an upright grille crossed by Volvo's diagonal bar.7
  • First generation: an extra side window at the rear.18
  • Second generation: the rearmost side window is built into the rear door.13
  • Second generation: low headlights sweep around the front corners toward the hood.13
  • Second generation: curved taillights follow the shoulders, with LEDs along the top.5

Year by year

  1. 2003 facelift: front/cabin

    Reshaped nose, dark-silver square-mesh grille, chrome strip between the fog lamps and new instruments.16

  2. 2003 facelift: rear

    Smaller taillights with LED brake lamps, a body-color panel beneath, one-piece trunk lid and a bulkier rear bumper.16

  3. 2006 / 2007 model year

    Second generation loses the extra rear side window, swaps concave doors for convex skins and adds a silver strip across the tail.1518

  4. 2010 model year

    Enlarged grille emblem and added chrome at the nose, doors and tail.17

  5. 2014 model year

    Wider grille, reshaped bumpers and rectangular daytime running lights; rear lamps gain a rounder shape.819

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Volvo S80
    S80
    Photo of a S60
    S60

    S60

    The later S80 resembles a larger S60; its nose looks closer to an enlarged S40 front.18

  • Photo of a Volvo S80
    S80
    Photo of a S40
    S40

    S40

    The earlier S80 resembles an enlarged S40 with an S60-style nose; its bigger body is the clue.18

Against its rivals

  • Mercedes E220

    S80 vs Mercedes E220

    Group-test placing lower is better

    S804 place
    Mercedes E2202 place
    23

  • S80 vs Audi A6 SE Multitronic

    Group-test placing lower is better

    S804 place
    Audi A6 SE Multitronic3 place
    23

Prices

Value today $3.6K–$16.0K2930

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$20K$40K$60K 200020052010201520202025 Value today: $3,600–$16,000 1999 · $41,258 · US T6 base2007 · $48,045 · US V8 AWD base2007 · $56,025 · US V8 AWD as tested2015 · $40,500 · US base2015 · $41,450 · US T5 Premier 2015.5 +$925 dest2015 · $45,650 · US T5 Platinum 2015.5 +$925 dest2015 · $44,850 · US T6 AWD Premier 2015.5 +$925 dest2015 · $49,050 · US T6 AWD Platinum 2015.5 +$925 dest 1999 · $41,258 · US T6 base price, 1999 model year 2025 · $7,650 · 2013 3.2, 84k miles, BaT2025 · $16,000 · 2010 V8 AWD, 76k miles, BaT2025 · $11,500 · 2003 T6, 5k miles, BaT2026 · $3,600 · 2001 T6, 71k miles, BaT2026 · $6,900 · 2011 3.2, 120k miles, BaT2026 · $6,385 · 2006 2.5T, 68k miles, BaT $16.0K BaT, 2025
13912293031323334
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1999Launch price$41,258US T6 base price, 1999 model year
1999Price when new$41,258US T6 base
2007Price when new$48,045US V8 AWD base
2007Price when new$56,025US V8 AWD as tested
2015Price when new$40,500US base
2015Price when new$41,450US T5 Premier 2015.5 +$925 dest
2015Price when new$45,650US T5 Platinum 2015.5 +$925 dest
2015Price when new$44,850US T6 AWD Premier 2015.5 +$925 dest
2015Price when new$49,050US T6 AWD Platinum 2015.5 +$925 dest
2025Auction sale$7,6502013 3.2, 84k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$16,0002010 V8 AWD, 76k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$11,5002003 T6, 5k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$3,6002001 T6, 71k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$6,9002011 3.2, 120k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$6,3852006 2.5T, 68k miles, BaT
2026Value today$3,600–$16,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 12 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “Tom Barnaby's Magic Blue D5”
    • “From NASA to the S80's curves”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 8 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 34 sources
  1. Volvo S80 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. Volvo S80 T6: Wrap-up: We liked it, but... autoweek.com
  3. Tested: 1999 Volvo S80 T6 Breaks New Ground caranddriver.com
  4. Volvo S80 T6 Anniversary Edition — Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  5. Volvo S80, Model Year 2009 - Volvo Car UK news.cision.com
  6. All New Volvo S80L - launch and start of production in China - Volvo Cars Global news.cision.com
  7. Langfassung Volvo S80 - Volvo Car Germany Presse news.cision.com
  8. The new Volvo S80, V70 and XC70: Exclusive sophistication on a new level - Volvo Cars Global news.cision.com
  9. Model Overview: 2015.5 Volvo S80 - Volvo Car USA news.cision.com
  10. Neu: Leistungsoptimierung von Polestar für sechs aktuelle Volvo Modelle - Volvo Car Germany Presse news.cision.com
  11. The Volvo S80 V8 is One of the Coolest Volvos We’ve Ever Driven motortrend.com
  12. Sensible, but Dull caranddriver.com
  13. Volvo S80 - model year 2012 - Volvo Car Belux news.cision.com
  14. Used car guide to the Volvo S80 - a comfortable car for long distance. motorcheck.ie
  15. Volvo S80 T6 Executive — 2004 on Bilweb Auctions bilwebauctions.se
  16. Volvo S80 Design volvoclub.org.uk
  17. Nilsson S80 300 Limousine V8 4,4 No:2 — 2009 on Bilweb Auctions bilwebauctions.se
  18. Volvo S80 | evo evo.co.uk
  19. Volvo S80 (2006-2016) review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  20. Volvo 200 Series - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  21. Volvo 700 Series - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  22. Volvo 900 Series - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  23. Volvo S80 D5 SE | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  24. Volvo is on the Case in "Midsomer Murders" - Volvo Cars Global news.cision.com
  25. How This 2001 Volvo Got Stuck on a Tiny Island in a Flooded Strip Mine thedrive.com
  26. Volvo S80 V8 4.4 AWD — 2007 on Bilweb Auctions bilwebauctions.se
  27. Begtest: Volvo S80 | Vi Bilägare vibilagare.se
  28. Used Volvo S80 review - ReDriven redriven.com
  29. No Reserve: 2001 Volvo S80 T6 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $3,600 on September 22, 2026 (Lot #264,332) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  30. No Reserve: 2010 Volvo S80 V8 AWD for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $16,000 on October 21, 2025 (Lot #215,881) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. No Reserve: 2011 Volvo S80 3.2 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $6,900 on March 30, 2026 (Lot #235,684) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. No Reserve: 2006 Volvo S80 2.5T for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $6,385 on March 15, 2026 (Lot #233,580) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  33. No Reserve: 2013 Volvo S80 3.2 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $7,650 on November 6, 2025 (Lot #218,526) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. No Reserve: 5k-Mile 2003 Volvo S80 T6 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $11,500 on April 10, 2025 (Lot #186,979) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • autoweek.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • news.cision.com
  • motortrend.com
  • motorcheck.ie
  • bilwebauctions.se
  • volvoclub.org.uk
  • evo.co.uk
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • thedrive.com
  • vibilagare.se
  • redriven.com
  • bringatrailer.com

Photo credits

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