2016 Volvo S80 Review

Volvo drops the S80's T6 six-cylinder engine and all-wheel-drive model. Otherwise, the 2016 Volvo S80 is a carryover from the 2015 model year.

The 2016 Volvo S80 is a sensible alternative to flashier, more expensive luxury sedans, but its anonymous looks, mundane driving experience and lackluster power dull its appeal.

Every car in the luxury sedan segment has at least a little appeal, what with all that supple leather, high-tech infotainment, and fancy wheels and interior woodwork. The Volvo S80, with its aging design and only minor updates for the 2016 model year, might not have enough of it, though.

The 2016 S80's big boast is its fuel economy and, of course, its full array of Volvo's superb safety systems. But Volvo seems to be concentrating on other parts of its lineup these days, and the S80 has been left to wither. It got a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine in mid-2015 for a nice boost in performance and efficiency, but Volvo has dropped the six-cylinder T6 models, depriving shoppers of an all-wheel-drive option.

Additionally, the S80's design, while fresh in 2007, has had only an occasional mild cosmetic freshening since then, while the driving experience borders on stodgy. In today's luxury car market, that makes it about as appealing as a pair of sensible beige flats in a closet full of Manolo Blahnik stilettos.

The S80 does come pretty well equipped and is typically less expensive than many other midsize luxury cars, but if it's a value proposition that appeals, we think you should also check out the Acura TLX, Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chrysler 300, Lexus ES 350 and Hyundai Genesis. All are roomy and comfortable cars that are also more involving to drive and boast fresher, more compelling designs. And any model from the admittedly pricier German contingent -- the 2016 Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class -- will be a great choice as well. While the S80 is likable enough, the reality is that it's simply outclassed for 2016.

A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine good for 240 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque powers the front-wheel-drive 2016 S80 T5 Drive-E. It comes standard with stop-start functionality, which automatically shuts down the engine when idling, such as at a stoplight. This, in addition to a standard eight-speed automatic transmission, results in an EPA fuel economy rating of 29 mpg combined (25 city/37 highway), which is excellent for this class of car. Volvo estimates 0-60-mph acceleration at 6.6 seconds. It's an acceptable time, but most rival sedans are quicker and also offer more powerful engine upgrades.

The 2016 Volvo S80 comes standard with antilock disc brakes, front-seat side airbags (featuring separate chambers for chest and hip protection), side curtain airbags, a low-speed frontal collision warning and mitigation system (Volvo's City Safety system) and active front head restraints.

Optional safety features include a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, a blind-spot monitoring system and a lane-departure warning system. Also optional is a frontal collision mitigation system with pedestrian and cyclist detection, plus a driver-fatigue monitor.

In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests, the S80 earned the top rating of "Good" in the small-overlap frontal-offset, moderate-overlap frontal-offset, side-impact and roof-strength tests. Its head restraints and seats also earned a "Good" rating for their whiplash protection in rear impacts. The IIHS has also tested the S80's frontal collision warning and mitigation system and given it a top rating of "Superior."

The turbocharged four-cylinder engine and its eight-speed automatic transmission has been a nice improvement for the S80, as the previous base engine was neither particularly strong nor particularly fuel-efficient. But since there's no longer an engine upgrade offered, the S80's 240 hp is the most you can get. Acceleration is acceptable, but other similarly priced sedans are notably quicker.

For many, it's the 2016 S80's ride that will stand out: The compliant suspension smooths potholes and speed bumps with ease. But the S80's too-light steering and stubborn preference for pointing straight ahead make for vague driver confidence when going around turns. The optional 19-inch wheels and sport chassis noticeably sharpen handling, but not enough to move the car anywhere near sport sedan status.

The interior of the aging Volvo S80 might not be as extravagant as those of some of its rivals (or even its newer S60 sibling), but it's a fine place to spend time just the same. Volvo has an outstanding reputation for excellent seats, and the S80 upholds that honor, with upright and supremely supportive front seats that do a great job of keeping you comfortable on long trips. Rear passengers will find adequate room as long as there's no need to seat three, but in general, many competitors offer roomier rear seats.

Also per Volvo's tendency, there's nothing tricky or gimmicky about the gauges and major controls. The straightforward dual-temperature adjustment dials and "mode man" pictogram make climate control adjustments simple and intuitive. The standard Sensus system is also fairly easy to use, though the multipurpose knob's location on the dash (rather than the center console) is not ideal, and it lacks a touchpad input like some rival systems.

The S80's trunk has 14.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity, typical for this class of car. The S80's folding rear seatbacks, trunk pass-through and available folding front passenger seat provide extra flexibility and utility.