S60 vs. S70 vs. S80

Cannot find info I want a usual sources (edmunds, etc.). Am thinking of
getting a 2000-01 volvo sedan. S60/S70/S80. What are differences was the S70
RWD. Is the difference mainly trim levels and size? Is there significant
difference in build quality?
Thanks for any help
Howard

 

Depends on what size interior you need. The s80 comfortably holds 5 people
with plently of room. I believe the other 2 models are much smaller inside.

 

all volvo´s today are FWD or AWD. ( exept the trucks.... )

 

The S80 is the only one of the three still made in Sweden.

 

The S70 is an 850 that has been updated. The S60 is the replacement, but I
think it is a touch smaller in the back... seems like it anyways, not by
much tho. The S80 is pretty huge inside, replaced the RWD S90 (960), the S70
is a FWD car (or AWD).

Build quality on all of them is quite good, the S60 and S80 are more modern
tho.

 

Yup, that's correct. The last year for the S70 was 2000. It was replaced
by the S60 in 2001. Both of them have the 5 cyl. engines, with or without
the turbo (don't know if the S60 came in a non-turbo version).

The S80 comes with the 2.9 liter engine that the S90 came with (or a 2.8
liter version that is turbo charged I think).

They're all nice cars. The S60 is definitely smaller than the S70.

Bev

 

The S60 comes standard with a 168hp inline 5. There are also 197 hp light
turbo versions (I believe 208hp might be standard now.... could be only in
the V70 wagon tho) and there is a 247 hp version. There is also an R version
with 300hp.

The 2.9L inline 6 is incredibly smooth, tho I have never been in a S80 (on
the road), it is the same engine as the 960. I have the most original
version of the motor in my parents 93' wagon, and even after 10 years it
runs as good, or better (broken in, and a free-er flowing exaust was
installed on it) then the day we got it.

The S60 doesn't seem too small tho.... how much bigger is an 850/S70 inside?

 

The major differences are size and engine. The S80 is a six cylinder
vehicle, while the other are five cylinder vehicles. The S70 is no
longer being manufactured. I test drove an S80 toady. It handles very
well. I would recommend it. The S60, on the other hand is more sporty.

 

1998 S70/V70/C70: Designers and engineers have given the 850 model a
thorough revamp, adding power, safety, comfort, and a dash of styling
pizzazz to an already fine automobile. The cars are renamed : S70 is the
sedan, and V70 is the wagon. The redesign includes a new nose,
body-color trim, stronger side-impact protection, more powerful turbo
engines, redesigned interior, and revised suspension. All-wheel drive
wagons arrive to battle luxury SUVs and the hot-selling Subaru Legacy.
Volvo performs a slam-dunk with its first new coupe in years; the
convertible is somewhat less thrilling. Modeled on the S70 chassis, the
C70 shares sheetmetal with the S70 from the windshield forward, and is
powered by the same set of turbocharged powerplants.

1999 S70/V70/C70: Volvo's first all-wheel drive sedan debuts, vehicle
options and color choices have been simplified. Volvo offers a light
pressure turbocharged engine in the coupe to entice consumers looking
for a lower-priced ticket.

1999 S80: The larger more luxurious S80 makes its debut. This long
overdue redesign of the S90 counts several firsts to its credit: first
with a transverse inline six, first with fully integrated GSM phone,
first to carry an environmental specification and the S80 boasts the
world's smallest manual transmission.

2000 S70/V70/V70XC: Engine improvements, a new transmission, and
equipment upgrades constitute the changes for the 2000 Volvos. The V70
AWD and V70 T-5 were discontinued. The V70XC became the only AWD.

2001 S60: The S60 is Volvo's new sedan that takes the place of the
discontinued S70 Sedan. Smaller than the S80 but bigger than the S40,
Volvo has designed the S60 to be sporty as well as safe. Like the Audi
A4 or BMW 3 Series, it should appeal to drivers who are looking for a
sedan that is fun to drive.

2001 S80: Volvo added a new trim level, the luxurious S80 T6 Executive.
Additional standard content for all trim levels comes in the form of
leather seating, a luggage holder, remote retractable rear head
restraints, memory position mirrors and Homelink. The 2.9 gets new
16-inch wheels and an auto-dimming rearview mirror as standard. All S80s
get dual-stage airbags. The available Security Package for the S80 2.9
and T6 will now include the Interior Air Quality System (IAQS) which
keeps the passenger cabin free from odors and pollutants.

2001 V70/V70XC: The 2001 V70 has improved interior space, versatility,
comfort and performance. The new V70 shares its platform with the S80,
Volvo's top-of-the-line sedan. As a result, the new V70 is slightly
shorter than the 2000 model, but it has a longer wheelbase, wider front
and rear tracks, and about 2 more inches of width and height. The base
2.4T and all-wheel-drive Cross Country models comes with a
197-horsepower, 2.4-liter, turbocharged five-cylinder engine. The XC T-5
is introduced. New safety features include front-and-rear head airbags,
and child-seat ISOFIX attachment points.

2002 S60: The big news is the arrival of the S60 2.4T AWD and its slick
electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system. Additionally, all S60
models get Emergency Brake Assistance (EBA), enhanced traction control
performance and improved throttle management, resulting in quicker
response in everyday driving situations. Volvo's Dynamic Stability
Traction Control (DSTC) system is now standard in T5 models and optional
for the 2.4T AWD (starting in December 2001). Other model-specific
changes include satellite controls on the steering wheel and rear
cupholders for the base 2.4 model and a memory function for the power
seats and mirrors in 2.4T and T5 models. The entire lineup gets revised
rear headrests, ISO-FIX child restraint attachment points and an
emergency trunk release handle.

2002 V70/XC: Like the rest of its platform mates (S60 and S80), the V70
and get emergency BrakeAssist, enhanced traction control performance and
improved throttle management, resulting in quicker response in everyday
driving situations. In addition, a V70 AWD model will be offered --
minus the armor and raised suspension of Volvo's Cross Country. Standard
content has been increased, as well: All models get a cargo security
cover; the 2.4T gets six-spoke alloy wheels and a leather gearshift
knob; and the T5 gets Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC),
special vinyl/cloth upholstery, leather wrappings on the steering wheel,
hand brake and shift knob and aluminum mesh accents. Both the V70 and
XZC new features include a DVD-based navigation system, xenon headlamps
and an upgraded premium audio system. Cosmos Blue is now an exterior
color choice.

2002 S80: As a follow-up to the S80 T6 Executive, Volvo released the T6
Elite, which combined the increased rear legroom, wider rear door
openings and interior luxuries of the Executive with the convenience of
a rear bench seat, thus providing room for five. Additionally, all S80s
got Emergency Brake Assistance (EBA), enhanced traction control
performance and improved throttle management, resulting in quicker
response in everyday driving situations. Other improvements include
color-coordinated exterior trim (rather than the usual black moldings),
an emergency release trunk release handle and the availability of a
DVD-based navigation system and xenon headlamps.

2003 S60: The new high-performance S60 R became available. Otherwise,
minor changes were in store for Volvo's sport sedan for 2003. A
leather-wrapped steering wheel, along with a stereo with a CD and a
cassette deck, graced the interior of the 2.4 and the 2.4T. The latter
also gots foglights and wood dash trim in its standard equipment list.
For the all-wheel-drive version, the 2.4 turbocharged engine received a
small bump in displacement and horsepower. Rain-sensing wipers and
OnCall Plus (the telematics system) were available, and two new colors,
Titanium Grey and Ruby Red, brightened the exterior.

2003 V70/XC70: The new high-performance V70R, making 300 horsepower,
became available. A leather-wrapped steering wheel and an audio unit
with a CD and cassette player graced the interior of the 2.4 and 2.4T.
The latter also got real wood trim. For the all-wheel-drive version, the
2.4 turbocharged engine received a small bump in displacement and
horsepower. Rain-sensing wipers and OnCall Plus (the telematics system)
are available, and two new colors, Titanium Grey and Ruby Red, brighten
the exterior. Other new features include a DVD-based navigation system,
an upgraded premium audio system, xenon headlamps and deep-tinted
windows.

2004 S80: The S80 received a minor refresh this year that includes a
modified grille, additional chrome trim and a revised rear fascia for
the exterior along with a new gauge cluster and door panels for the
interior. Volvo's Four-C adjustable suspension is a new option on all
trim levels. An all-wheel-drive version of the 2.5T will be added
midyear, but it cannot be ordered in conjunction with the Four-C
suspension. Finally, the T6 Premier replaces the T6 Elite as the top
trim level.

 

From Consumers Reports:

S60 has much above average reliability ('01 & '02)

V70 has above average reliability ('00 thru '02, previous models are
below average)

S80 has much below average reliability ('99 thru '02)

The main reliability issue has been the power accessories. As a result,
the more luxurious models have more power accessories and more problems.
The problems have not been serious, but have made the more luxurious
medels less reliable than average. The basic cars have been extremely
reliable.

 

Thank you all for the detailed information. Very helpful in making a choice.
Howard

 

So would you still recommend an S80 2.9?

 

I own an 850 (S70) and V70XC. They are perfect for our family. I tend
to avoid accessories that I really don't want or use so I would not buy
the S80.

 

Just a short note....
There are in fact five cylinder S80's on markets outside US. The most common
S80's in Sweden are in fact 2.4 litres 5 cylinder cars, with or without
turbo. The new S80 AWD comes with a 210 hp 2.5 litre LPT-engine.
rgds
Carl