How Economical is a Volvo S80 V8? (Fuel Economy Test)

[@ChevyBM]

My wife have had a 2008 XC90 Executive V8 for three years now, it now has 98000km on the odometer and we are the second owner of it and it has always been serviced at the same Volvo dealer in Helsinki by the same service technician. In the city the fuel economy is about 18-20l/100km and if we drive out of town at speeds of 80-100km it is about 10l/100km, then on the highway at speeds of 120-140km/h it rises to 11-14l/100km. The worst fuel economy that I have gotten with it is 26l/100km, that was in city driving with lots of snow and at a temperature of -15celcius and me driving like a idiot in the snow. I love the car, it is really smooth and effortless to drive, it has okay interior room and the trunk is big. And I have not noticed any difference in the fuel economy while using regular or premium gasoline. I tried to buy her a similar age Escalade or Suburban to her but she taught they were to big :D The S80 V8 must be a nice car!

[@NathanMannin]

The fuel economy is one of the many things that surprises me with this car, it’s efficient for an N/A V8 with this much weight and I don’t even have to try! I really love the S80 V8 as a package, it’s completely exceeded my expectations!

[@ezimdanielchukwunwike531]

The fuel tank is up to 75L?

[@jaleger2295]

In my experience with a 12 y.o car with at least 350k km on it, the fuel consumption was marvelous. During the winter with -25C and really heavy traffic I've never seen consumption worse than 18.5L/100km. During summer with more than less the same traffic it was closer to 16L. On a weekend you can easily make it 13L even if you floor it quite a few times. But where it really shines is outside town. I had a trip of 800 km, mostly on a toll road. And going 160-180 kph on cruise control the consumption was about 9-10L. In my opinion for a NA 4.4L V8 car of 2000kg this is really really good.

[@NathanMannin]

I share the sentiment as you, I am so surprised how well this car performs. I was expecting it to be worse than my C63, but it was actually somewhat economical!

[@cenewton3221]

For the longest time I always wondered why cars in the UK always seemed to get significantly better fuel economy than in the US. Not your diesel variants mind you, which we have very few of here, but the gas (petrol) ones. Finally I learned a gallon in the US is significantly less than a UK gallon. The initial "around town" driving which he got ~17.5 mpg calculated by the car's computer was about on par with what I get in my XC90 V8, but when he calculated the overall number based on the actual amount of fuel it took to replace what he used & got 23+, it really reflects the larger gallon size there. In mixed city/highway driving I usually average about 18-19 miles per US gallon (usually get 22-23 ish on the highway).

[@squidz814]

Been waiting for this one 😁😁 the 99 will be better for sure. It even helped massively in terms of economy and lasting effect on my seat and as you know that's a low level hatchback. For a v8 like the volvo i would always recommend the premium 99.

[@NathanMannin]

MPG is very important 😉 It’s only 10p a litre more than the 95, it’s definitely worth it I think, especially for big engines like these. Didn’t realise it had such an effect on fuel efficiency though!

[@wd7525]

@@NathanMannin I just had to google it and 99 improves mpg, not just better zoomies 🤣 great video as always

[@NathanMannin]

@@wd7525 Thank you for watching!

[@flashback1209]

@@NathanMannin Changing the octane number of the fuel does nothing to the efficiency of the engine.

[@flashback1209]

@@NathanMannin Clarification: Changing the octane rating of the fuel does nothing for MPG or HP.

[@willbrewa]

Great video, I have one of these and I am appreciative of the breakdown. I bought the car because I found it before finding an a8. Good vid, will follow and let you know what I find.

[@NathanMannin]

Thank you very much! Yes please do let me know, I am intrigued to see what you get! A8’s are lovely cars granted, but I would imagine more expensive to buy and maybe parts too. You can’t go wrong with either though I think, the A8 will definitely feel more luxurious though!

[@awanas1819]

Thank you for this video! Your channel is very professional. Keep a good work.

[@NathanMannin]

Appreciate the kind words, thank you for watching!

[@bjarkelarsen183]

Hey I'm new to your channel and I love your vids! Keep up the good work 💪 I really hope I'll have my dream come true and get a s80 v8 aswell :)

[@NathanMannin]

Thank you so much! 😁 I really hope my videos do the car justice, as I think the car as an overall package is truly exceptional! What sort of spec would you look for in a S80 V8?

[@derekchisholm972]

Great video! It may not be the quickest V8 out there, but it makes up for it by being surprisingly efficient. My average in my 2010 V8 over my ownership is 19.3 mpg US, or 23.2 mpg UK. I can go above 30 mpg UK (25 mpg US) on the highway if careful, and have done as well as (over a decent distance) 31 mpg US (37.5 UK). Unfortunately, it falls as low as 12 US or 14.3 UK in the winter. Let me know how efficient you can make it!

[@NathanMannin]

Cheers Derek! Where it may not be the quickest, it certainly makes up for it in the soundtrack department, plenty enough power to get it up to speed. Bloody hell, 37.5!? That’s unbelievable fuel economy! What speed and distance where you driving to achieve that? If I ever get close to yours I’ll let you know!

[@derekchisholm972]

37.5 mpg was between 45-55 mph, on a slight downhill road with no stops over 30 miles

[@NathanMannin]

@@derekchisholm972 That’s nuts Derek! I don’t think anyone will be beating your record any time soon!

[@martynmanning9624]

I drive mine on a mix of A roads, motorway and local roads usually get between 21.5 to 22.5 mpg. On a long dual carraigeway/motorway run upto 28 mpg if travelling 50 to 70 mph, 25-26 mpg if you go a bit faster.

[@NathanMannin]

That’s interesting to hear that, my drive was very mixed so I was surprised to achieve what I got. I definitely think 30mpg is possible! 😆

[@martynmanning9624]

@@NathanMannin I have been using the premium recently, but it is difficult to see any significant gains in mpg because if I get stuck in shit traffic once or twice a week any gains are lost.

[@robsshedoftech6457]

Top Tip - If you press the mirror (R or L) button when in reverse, you'll find the respective mirror will angel down to make it easier to see where the kerb or parking lines are!

[@NathanMannin]

Thank you Rob!

[@mattparkin7224]

does this work in a P2 V70?

[@petedenton9434]

23.46 mpg feels about right to me. My XC90 v8 does about 22 mpg and it's heavier than the S80.

[@derekchisholm972]

Also, I would recommend premium fuel, as the engine makes all of its power and torque when you use it, runs smoother, and gets better gas mileage. I think it pulls timing on lower grade fuels. The owner's manual recommends (but does not require) 91 Octane for the US (unsure what that translates to), but I use 93 Octane, which is the highest you can get here.

[@centaurus5676]

Also if you take out the sudden acceleration blasts and do the test again in Summer i bet that would have reached 26mpg, as you get better MPG in the summer months.

[@KYRJAMESEY]

any more C63 videos on the horizon Nathan? I'm in the market for one and binge watched all your previous vids. Spot on quality and content wise

[@NathanMannin]

Thank you very much for watching my videos James! I have a couple in the pipeline, one of them is going to be probably the most challenging thing I’ve ever done, it’s just the logistics and time to make it which is the issue. Is there anything you’d like me to cover/film on the C63? 😄

[@KYRJAMESEY]

@@NathanMannin You've pretty much covered all bases, i'll look forward to these ones you have in the pipeline. Can't wait to join the club (coming from an M2)

[@KYRJAMESEY]

@@NathanMannin perhaps a guide to new/potential owners like myself. What you should be paying for a good clean example? What to look for on initial walkaround (any rust spots, common damage areas, weak spots on paint) How to do a thorough test drive on a C63 (what modes should you use, any noises to listen out for apart from the V8) Common electrical faults (sunroof , media system etc.)

[@NathanMannin]

@@KYRJAMESEY Ahhhh that’s an interesting change, I haven’t heard of anyone changing in their M2 for a W204 C63, why the change may I ask?

[@NathanMannin]

@@KYRJAMESEY I might have to endeavour on that at some point! Thank you for the ideas! 😁

[@vintagerice]

I've had mine for two weeks now and averaged 13.7mpg across two tanks 😅 Though it is winter, heated seats on and I WFH so only do town driving!

[@NathanMannin]

You must drive the S80 V8 pedal to the metal! Good on you! I can’t even manage to get 13.7mpg in my 6.2 V8 C63! 😆

[@patrickclerc5696]

Hi Nathan, great video. Have you factored in the temperatures with S80 and your C63? Reason being it'll impact your overall mpg on your tests as your route is consistent. Loving your V8 content 👌🏻

[@NathanMannin]

Thank you Patrick and thanks for watching! I’m glad you like the V8 content on the Volvo too! 😁 I haven’t factored that in, I didn’t know it would impair the fuel consumption. The only issue I have regarding the S80, is that I can’t find a temperature gauge, I don’t think it has one!

[@patrickclerc5696]

@@NathanMannin See what your outside temp was on the C63 test compared to the S80. I find over 10c ambient has a benefit to the fuel economy. In regards to oil temp on the S80 I'm not sure about the dash readout info, possibly something you could see via a Bluetooth OBD reader if the car has an oil temperature sensor

[@NathanMannin]

@@patrickclerc5696 I have to admit, the Volvo feels very warm/hot after a drive, very similar to the C63 I think. I’ll have to look into the OBD route, thanks : )

[@derekchisholm972]

@@NathanMannin The P3 Volvo cars do not have temperature gauges, but it will show a warning in the gauges if it is too hot. The engine area feels warm after because it is a large engine in a small space, it is normal for the V8s. This excessive heat is what causes the alternator and power steering pumps to fail more often.

[@NathanMannin]

@@derekchisholm972 Ah ok, thanks for letting me know. Should I be more mindful and careful about driving it too fast too often? I don’t want to get the car hot too much 😆

[@operationalpha6473]

I didn’t know you could reset te avg mpg but my avg is 22.2 at the moment

[@richardlahiff1529]

95 ron is fine, going back to my comment on facebook, i have seen 35 mpg in my s80 with a usual avearge of mixed driving 26-28 ish mpg, regually hitting 30+ mpg at normal motoway speeds. something you didnt touch on which should be a negative for mpg these cars are also AWD. you cant beat these uber rare 315 bhp 440+ nm power house's.

[@NathanMannin]

I can’t see those comments on the cars you don’t see anymore page on Facebook. The post was removed from the admin and he blocked me from the page, so I can’t even access it anymore 🙄 That’s still exceptional economy for what the car is! I suppose with it being only AWD only then there’s choice but to put up with the extra weight. Had there have a been a 2WD variant and AWD for the S80 V8, I suppose there could be talking point how it could affect fuel economy. Honestly though, the car has exceeded my expectations plus more, it’s everything I imagined it to be, but only better! I could go as far to say it brings me just the same joy as my C63!

[@drunkpacman]

Do an XC90 V8 Sport next! Or eventually

[@NathanMannin]

If I could ever get my hands on one I would! : )

[@drunkpacman]

They are a rare breed I’ll give you that

[@NathanMannin]

@@drunkpacman There’s more XC90 V8’s than S80 V8’s surprisingly!

[@mattparkin7224]

With the 99 RON - I'm not sure if they'd introduced the new E10 fuel at the time but I won't touch it in my V70R or the mk5 Golf GTI I had before it, I just don't trust it. Might be being over-cautious, they probably would have been fine on the slightly older 95 stuff (I haven't checked what the V70 asks for but VW asked for 95+ and that was only a 2 litre TFSI)

[@NathanMannin]

What makes you so cautious about it just out of curiosity? I suppose because I’ve always ran 99 ron in my C63, I’d use it in the S80 V8 too, as they’re both high performance engines too.

[@mattparkin7224]

@@NathanMannin not sure if it was scaremongering when it first came out but a lot of people were talking about how it's not great for your car - I've never bothered to look into it in great detail as I just stick to premium out of habit.

[@NathanMannin]

@@mattparkin7224 I’m the same really, for higher performance engines I don’t take the risk and give it the 99 RON. My C63 only takes 98+ anyway, but just out of diligence and preserving the engine, I give my other sports cars the same treatment : )

[@macieksz2829]

I'm on the jaguar xf sv8 facebook group and I was wondering how people get such high mpg with their cars. Now I realized in Britain you drive only 70 mph on motorway and not +/- 90mph we do in Poland and the British mpg is not the same as American 😂😅

[@mick0905]

02:26 you could have just watched your own video of you resetting the trip which showed the odometer, 92,513. 😉

[@NathanMannin]

I’m not sure if I quite follow 😅

[@Birmingham_racing]

Never heard of someone calling 23mpg a eco warrior lol

[@NathanMannin]

🤣 It really surprised me compared to the C63 😉

[@Birmingham_racing]

@@NathanMannin can't imagine your reaction if you drove a diesel!

[@NathanMannin]

@@Birmingham_racing I have driven many diesels so I know the feeling to get 50/60mpg 😉 But it’s not the same feeling when you get good economy in a diesel, because that’s to be expected. I get more excited over decent MPG in cars which are very unsuspected to getting good MPG if that makes sense? 🤣

[@danielk4155]

to clear the mapping of the previous driver you need to remove the battery cables and hold them together for 3 minutes, this resets the computer.

[@NathanMannin]

What do you mean by mapping? How the car/gearbox responds to the drivers driving style?

[@danielk4155]

@@NathanMannin yes

[@Blipthethrottle726r]

Was debating buying one of these on auto trader it said 15mpg which put me off 23 though might be a different story.

[@NathanMannin]

@@Blipthethrottle726r Can easily get 30mpg on a long run too!

[@HandyDoctor89]

​@@NathanMannin Are you guys talking about different gallons here, US vs UK? On my xc90 V8, I can get 24 mp(us)g on the highway. But in town, it's 15.

[@NathanMannin]

@@HandyDoctor89 We are talking about U.K. MPG, I’ll include the U.S figure next time too : ) That’s not bad efficiency in your XC90 V8, considering how heavy it is!

[@simonpalmer8033]

Power is fuel.....

[@devrimarabalari]

So what do you think about? S80 V8 or S80 T6 (304 hp)

[@NathanMannin]

I’ve only ever tried the S80 V8, but with it being so unique and having an unreal soundtrack, I would choose it!

[@devrimarabalari]

@@NathanMannin I’ve bought a t6 2012 yesterday :)) Thanks for your comment.

[@jakommer]

I’m jealous you can buy a good looking S80 with that mileage for less than £5000. The cheapest one in Sweden is out on sale for £10000 with 25000 miles on the clock😂

[@NathanMannin]

Herregud! 😱 We are quite fortunate here compared to other countries, I imagine Norway us even worse!

[@jaleger2295]

I mean, considering salaries in Sweden, it's sort of (not really but still) ok. But why the FUCK it costs £7k+ for a completely obliterated car with 7+ owners and 300k km, and closer to 12k for a at least somewhat decent condition and 200k+ on the clock in Russia... that's beyond my understanding. Like our official minimal wage is £157 / month 🗿

[@ezimdanielchukwunwike531]

Maybe because the engine is from Yamaha Japan,that why is fuel economy

[@user-sf8rc9of9l]

It is not. Just accept it. Short travels is the absolutely worse, especially when cold. But it sure heats up very effectively. If you hate short cold drives…get this engine.

[@NathanMannin]

@@user-sf8rc9of9l In fairness to this car, it was much better on fuel than I anticipated. I managed 33mpg on a long run if I remember correctly. Not too bad considering I wasn’t even trying!

[@hexagonosaurus5848]

99RON is pointless in this car.

[@NathanMannin]

@@hexagonosaurus5848 It’s high performance engine and 99 wouldn’t do it any harm, I’d much rather that than 95RON.

[@calbackk]

Interesting, if it weren’t for the stupid imperials.

[@NathanMannin]

@@calbackk Tack så mycket!