The Volvo S80 has always occupied an awkward position in the luxury sedan world. It's Volvo's flagship, yet it's only midsize in dimensions and thus lacks the expansive quarters found in other executive sedans. And while it's certainly a luxurious car -- an impression aided by its fabulously comfortable, orthopedically correct front seats -- it lacks the over-the-top elegance present in most other premium midsize and full-size sedans. For 2007, the S80 benefits from a full redesign but retains its somewhat oddball personality. A new V8 engine gives it more punch than before, however, and this Volvo now offers every single one of the high-end safety features (and then some) found in more elite sedans from the Japanese and German brands.
Although there's a new, more rigid platform underneath the '07 S80, the bodywork isn't radically different from the first-generation car. Lines are softer, bulges are more pronounced and the door handles are pull-style, but otherwise the design language is intact. Interior room is on par with the '06 model as well, save for another inch of legroom in the backseat and a little extra trunk space. Bigger changes can be found under the hood, where last year's underachieving five-cylinder gives way to either a 235-horsepower 3.2-liter inline-6 or a 311-hp 4.4-liter V8. Six-cylinder Volvo S80s are front-wheel-drive, but all-wheel drive is standard with the V8.
This power infusion will undoubtedly improve the S80's standing among midsize luxury cars, but as in the past, the main reason to consider this sedan is its arsenal of safety technology. Highlights include seat-mounted side airbags with separate chambers to protect occupants' chest and hips; a security system with a heartbeat sensor that lets you know if someone is inside the car; and Volvo's Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), which monitors cars to either side of the S80 using cameras mounted near the exterior mirrors.
If you're looking at midsize luxury sedans in the $40,000-$50,000 price range, you won't find many that offer this kind of technology. If safety is number one on your list, the 2007 Volvo S80 deserves serious consideration. Bear in mind, however, that most of its competitors, which include the Acura RL, Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Cadillac STS, Infiniti M35/M45, Lexus GS 350/430 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, are more involving to drive. A few of them, particularly the Audi, offer more upscale interior treatments as well. Still, with a lower price tag than any of these cars, the new S80 remains a sensible choice for consumers who don't want to blow everything on a luxury sedan purchase.
