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A 1.6-litre engine in a car the size and scale of the Volvo S80 may seem like a recipe for very slow progress, but this Swede pulls off the striking feat of being the best car in its range. The 1.6-litre turbodiesel in question produces 108bhp and 177lb ft of oomph at 1750rpm, and it’s also been tuned for maximum economy as part of Volvo’s DRIVe low emissions programme. Granted, 0-62mph in 12.4 seconds and a 118mph top speed are not going to set tongues wagging in the company car park, and nor is the manual gearbox-only choice of transmission. However, chatter will centre on 57.7mpg combined economy and carbon dioxide emissions of just 129g/km, which marks out the S80 DRIVe as one of the smartest executive decisions to make if you want to save money. The five-speed manual gearbox has a deliberate and light action, as does the clutch, and the S80 DRIVe easily maintains its pace on the motorway without resorting to a lower gear for overtaking, so it’s a relaxed way to travel.

While the Germans compete with each other to come up with the sportiest offering in the executive class, Volvo has continued to plough its own handling furrow with the S80. It’s not going to set hearts racing with the way it negotiates bends, but nor is it going to upset anyone with a dicky ticker when it comes to comfort either. The steering is weighted to make low speed manoeuvres easy, though this does come at the expense of greater feel at higher speeds. On the other hand, the ride soaks up most interruptions and emphasises the S80’s relaxed, long distance nature. With excellent refinement, competent handling and comfort, the Volvo S80 is a sound way to travel long distances, which it can thanks to the DRIVe’s near-900-mile potential tank range.

The Volvo S80 is not as showy as some of its German competition when it comes to the grain and texture of the materials used in its cabin, but there are no concerns with the quality and finish. It’s all very substantial and solid, yet there are lighter touches such as the ‘floating’ centre console that adds to the general high value ambience of the S80’s interior. The mechanical parts are all tough items and have shown themselves to be reliable in other models. Volvo’s are not the cheapest cars to service, but records show they rarely need more than regular servicing to keep on the road.

It wouldn’t be a Volvo if the S80 wasn’t brimmed full of safety equipment. There are pairs of front, side and curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes and ESP traction control, as well as anti-whiplash head rests and a lane departure warning to signal to the driver if the car wanders out of its lane. There’s also adaptive cruise control to maintain a safe distance to the car in front and Volvo’s Collision Warning that applies the brakes if the car detects an accident is imminent. An alarm, immobiliser and deadlocks take care of security.

Superbly comfortable seats are the foundation of the excellent driving position in the Volvo S80, while plenty of steering wheel and seat adjustment further help find the ideal comfort setting for the driver. All of the buttons and controls in the S80 are placed with care and though to how the driver will use them, though all-round vision is not as good as in some rivals due to the thick pillars front and rear. However, there is plenty of space for the front and rear passengers, and the boot is one of the most generous in the executive class.

The big attraction with the S80 in DRIVe form is its superb economy and emissions. You may have to trade some performance when picking the 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine, but the reward for company drivers comes in the form of a much reduced benefit in kind payment to the tax man. Economy is also top notch at 57.7mpg combined, while the S80 still comes with all of the luxury equipment you’d expect of this class of car. Go for the Premium model over the standard SE and you also get leather seats and satellite navigation included in the price. Reasonable insurance ratings and service costs also make the S80 DRIVe an appealing prospect for private buyers, especially as the DRIVe models are among the most affordable in the whole of the S80 model line-up.

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