Volvo S80

Our verdict

The Volvo S80 is safe, smart and comfortable but short on fizz.

Comfort

You settle back into great seats, get carried along by supple suspension in near silence, wind up the terrific stereo then notice how superb the ergonomics and control layout are. The S80 is a comfy place to be.

Performance

No engines lead the pack, but the new six-cylinder is torquey and smooth, and keeps pace with similarly priced rivals. The 2.0 petrol takes 11sec to get to 60mph which is embarrassing at this price, and the lack of a high-performance diesel is disappointing.

Cool

 Somewhere between 'anything but' and 'not really'.

Quality

The cabin is fantastic: lovely minimalist design, fine modern materials, beautiful lighting at night. But complex Volvos aren't proving entirely bulletproof.

Handling

There's nowt actually wrong here. The S80 is secure and easy to push smoothly though a bend. The V8 AWD model has loads of traction and even more composure. But it doesn't inspire you with enough feedback.

Practicality

 It's a big saloon, and swallows heaps of baggage. Practical ergonomic touches help the driver too. But of course people who want practicality from their Volvos buy the wagons.

Running costs

They're high, and you'll be hit by company car tax because though the S80 is cheaper than lots of the competition its CO2 isn't as good.