DecodedCars2008 Volvo S80
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 3.2 4dr Sedan AWD 3.2l V6, V8 4dr Sedan AWD 4.4l V8
- Engines
- 3.2L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 19 combined · 16 city / 24 hwy
- Length
- 190.9 in
- Curb weight
- 3,646–3,840 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 27 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2008 Volvo S80 is a midsize car offered with 3 engines (3.2L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo and 4.4L 8-cyl) and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 191 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,646 lb (3.2 4dr Sedan AWD 3.2l V6).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (16 city / 24 highway), 10% worse than the 2008 midsize car average of 21.1 MPG, for an estimated $4,350 a year in fuel.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the fuel/propulsion system.
What changed for 2008
- Engine added: 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Lightest version 161 lb heavier
Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 S80 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2 4dr Sedan AWD 3.2l V6 | 190.9 in | 73.2 in | 58.7 in | 111.8 in | 61.4 / 62.2 in | 3,646 lb | 61/39 |
| V8 4dr Sedan AWD 4.4l V8 | 190.9 in | 73.2 in | 58.7 in | 111.8 in | 61.4 / 62.2 in | 3,840 lb | 61/39 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S80 AWD | 3.2L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 24 / 19 | -10% | $4,350 | 468 |
| S80 FWD | 3.2L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 / 24 / 19 | -10% | $4,350 | 468 |
| S80 AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 23 / 18 | -15% | $4,550 | 494 |
| S80 AWD | 4.4L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 23 / 18 | -15% | $4,550 | 494 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Volvo S80 under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2008 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Volvo S80 (this car) | 19 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2008 BMW 5 Series | 21 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 26 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2008 Audi A6 | 21 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2008 Lexus LS | 21 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2008 Lexus GS | 23 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2008 Audi A5 | 21 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (3)
Seat Belts › Front · Jun 30, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V378000 · 308,260 vehicles
- Problem
- Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Fix
- Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.
Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System) · Nov 8, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V566000 · 416 vehicles
- Problem
- VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
- Risk
- AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
- Fix
- VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.
Tires › Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems · Jul 22, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V335000 · 3,635 vehicles
- Problem
- VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 S80 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AND A PAGE IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL CONTAIN INCORRECT MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE INFLATION PRESSURE AND THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) SOFTWARE HAS AN INCORRECT TRIGGER LEVEL.
- Risk
- THESE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE REQUIRED SAFETY STANDARDS.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE VEHICLES WITH A NEW TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL, OWNER'S MANUAL LABEL AND TPMS SOFTWARE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT AUGUST 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552 OR [email protected] .
Not every 2008 Volvo S80 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2008 Volvo S80 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 5 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Seat Belts — 4 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Electrical System — 2 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 91,689 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Volvo S80. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other S80 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 S80 | 29 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 6 |
| 2015 S80 | 29 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 7 |
| 2014 S80 | 23 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 1 |
| 2013 S80 | 22 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 7 |
| 2012 S80 | 23 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 7 |
| 2011 S80 | 22 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 4 | 3 |
| 2010 S80 | 21 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 4 | 19 |
| 2009 S80 | 20 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 13 |
| 2007 S80 | 19 | 190.9 in | Not rated | 4 | 18 |
| 2006 S80 | 22 | 189.8 in | Not rated | 2 | 6 |
| 2005 S80 | 22 | 189.8 in | Not rated | 2 | 8 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volvo. How we calculate this →