Volvo's rival to the Audi A6, BMW 5-Series (including the 550i), Jaaag XF, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Lexus GS and the Subaru Legacy.

The second generation (2006) - related to the Ford S-MAX and Galaxy MPVs and Mondeo family hatch, Land Rover Freelander, Jaguar X-Type and Volvo's own XC60 crossover and V70 estate - when launched was available with 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder, 3.2-litre six-cylinder and 4.4-litre eight-cylinder petrol engines and 2.0-litre four-cylinder and 2.4-litre five-cylinder turbocharged diesel engines.

After revisions in 2009, the S80's engine range comprises of 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre turbocharged (Ford EcoBoost) four-cylinder and 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder petrol and 1.6-litre four-cylinder and 2.0-litre five-cylinder turbocharged and 2.4-litre twin-turbocharged diesel engines.

The 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder petrol and 2.0-litre turbocharged and 2.4-litre twin-turbocharged five-cylinder diesel engines are available with Volvo's Geartronic automatic transmission, with the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine is available with a Ford/Getrag dual-clutch gearbox. All engines bar the 3.0-litre petrol come with a six-speed manual transmission as standard.

The 3.0-litre petrol and 2.4-litre diesel are available with AWD.