VOLVO is no force in the medium luxury sedan sector, as its original S80’s inability to lure enough buyers from 1998 to 2005 reveals. But the second-generation version is a very different animal, sharing DNA with Ford’s impressive Mondeo as well as the Land Rover Freelander II, to take on a more dynamic, refined and flexible persona. Perhaps the base S80 – the diesel-powered D5 – is the best of the big Volvos, offering luxury, safety, performance, economy and space in a value-for-money package. Of course the S80 D5 isn’t perfect, but it makes for an interesting, fresh and unique alternative to a BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Lexus.