The Essentials

• Price from £25,495
• What Car? says:
• Fuel economy: up to 62.8mpg
• What is it? Alternative to the likes of the Audi A6 and for people who like to drive something solid and dependable

• Drive

  From the 2-litre basic model up, all have good pull and acceleration. Can roll a bit on corners though

• Inside

  Comfortable and easy to get a great driving position

• Safety

  It's a Volvo - all the kit you would expect and a bit more. A great choice for safety fanatics

• Reliability

  Everything seems to be well-made and fitted, while mechanically,it should be a long-term workhorse

• Space

  Room for four to stretch out in luxury, or five at a squeeze

• Standard and extras

  Volvo is generous with its standard of equipment and there are lots of options to tick on your order form, too

• What's it like to drive?

  It might look like something your father would love to drive to the golf club, but for anyone who spends a lot of time behind the wheel it can be quite a canny choice. The seats are comfortable, and if ergonomics is the kind of thing that can get you excited, then Volvo always does the business

• What's it like inside?

  You can choose between a couple of styles of seat - either to support and hug your body on those corners, or something a little less sporty and a little squashier. Either way, long journeys are a cinch with no hint of backache

• How reliable is it?

  The S80s cabin is showing its age, and is nowhere near as classy as that of an Audi A6 or BMW 5 Series. It feels solid enough, though. The S80 finished bottom of the executive class in the 2011 JD Power customer satisfaction survey

• Should I buy one?

  Choose the diesel version, and bills will be easier on the bank account. It's not a compromise in any way, either.