Most cars on the market have a rather variable refresh rate, on the outskirts there are models that last about four years before completely rebuilding, eight are a more normal number, but the current S80 has been with us for 12 years. current form. At a time when a child needs to germinate and get 2/3 of the way to college, Volvo has retained its beloved, bizarre niche, a middle-class sedan in the market. We checked the all-wheel drive “Inscription” model to understand what was at stake.
Drivetrain
This car will cost you about $ 55,000, and yet it comes with a simple 3.2-liter six under the hood, transversely mounted, as you would find in a less-educated car, but that’s not bad. The 3.2-liter six is the same as the S60R (and the original Ford Taurus SHO), 325 horsepower is available, there is a six-speed car with manual mode, and it even drives 25 mpg with a slightly moody cruising highway. The strength feels decent, 40-70 sprints are fast if you are already in the right gear, and the ratios are well spaced.
The transmission in this car is indeed a weak point. Feeling at home when overtaking a two-lane road? Be sure to pick your gears manually, because the down-down switch includes a committee of eighty people in the target car market, and you probably want to hammer a baby ferret every time you listen to a cheap, loud knock. when switching between Drive and Manual modes. At a bargain price that we recently tested, the Hyundai Tuscon has a more advanced switch than this.
There is no turbo lag though; and the thud of the gate, the noise coming from the exhaust, and the turbo whining. in what is otherwise a pretty reserved car, still make for a fun environment when necessary.
Exterior
Volvo has done a very good job of preserving the changes and preventing this car from looking too fresh compared to the model around 2006. If you are interested in enjoying the level of equipment of the BMW 5er, but prefer to avoid the current stigma of the BMW 5 Series, then this is your car. It’s just Volvo, not a fashion advertisement or a target for the gendarmes, although we could do without the massive Volvo logo.
Handling
This is a two-ton pudding intended for suburban and Sunday drivers, but this is a special case of driving pleasure. Poke it with a stick and he will just be happy to move apart, but the seats provide sufficient support and the suspension bends so that a well-nailed top feels much better than you might expect. The steering wheel provides a little information and the brakes work, although the pedal is certainly not the most durable we tested.
-Jack Wilson
