Volvo S80

	The S80 offers generous accommodation for two in the rear, with sculpted backrests which split and fold to boost practicality

Although Sweden wants to take the fight to the Ger­mans, it’s not being overly ambitious. Volvo aims to sell 5,000 S80s a year in the UK – that equates to around a third of the 14,200 examples of the 5-Series which found homes here in 2005.

Built at the Torslanda factory near Gothenburg, the new S80 is smoother and more aerodynamic than its predecessor. However, it’s also less imposing, and doesn’t have the heavy shoulder line that gave the original character and an air of solidity. It’s unmistakably a Volvo, but fails to stand out.

This is despite the fact the S80 is the highest and widest model on test (34mm taller and 27mm broader than before). It’s no longer overall than the previous car, though, and while the wheelbase has grown by 45mm, it’s still the shortest here.

Yet that doesn’t automatically mean its rivals are more spacious inside. The S80 offers generous accommodation for two in the rear, with sculpted backrests which split and fold to boost practicality.

It’s worth noting that the front passenger chair folds, too. However, the 422-litre load bay is the smallest in this test, and is blighted by a narrow opening. Drivers have a much better time of things than their luggage. The seats are plush and well padded – if not that supportive – while there is a wide range of adjustment on the steering wheel to enhance the superb driving position.

The focus of the interior is the floating centre console. It’s not such a design statement here as in the S40 compact executive in which it debuted, and you can’t really get to the space it frees up, but it’s well laid out and very simple to use.

Of course, this ability to make the person at the wheel feel instantly at ease is a Volvo hallmark. Unfortunately, so is the overwhelmingly grey colour scheme, which gives the interior a gloomy air.

The D5 engine was revised last year, and will be familiar to anyone who drives an XC90 or S60. Even though it’s smaller in capacity than either the BMW or Audi, and is also a cylinder down on both, it develops marginally more power. And as the S80 has the lightest kerb­weight, it delivered the fastest acceleration – albeit by fractions of a second. On the road, it offered the most muscular mid-range, but annoyingly, had an intrusive engine note.

Put simply, the five-cylinder is a touch coarse, and not as pleasant to listen to as rivals. There were also vibrations through the clutch pedal, and the six-speed manual gearbox is long-winded and ponderous compared to the BMW’s set-up.

But with dynamics tested and developed here in the UK, surely the driving experience measured up on our test route along the M4 and through the Brecon Beacons? Certainly, anyone coming from the old S80 will be instantly impressed. The new car has a far stiffer chassis, less steering kickback and rides more comfortably, especially on rough roads.

But it’s not as settled as we had hoped, and doesn’t smother bumps brilliantly. Nor is all well in terms of handling. The front-wheel-drive chassis doesn’t feel as sophisticated as the rear-drive BMW and Merc. And although it’s capable through corners, with good turn-in, grip and limited roll, the Volvo’s mature personality means it’s not that enjoyable to drive, and is less agile than rivals.

But it is excellent value. Our £28,050 SE is the cheapest car here, and while it’s only one rung up from the base S80, it gets electric leather seats – an option at around £2,000 on all its competitors.