Contemporary Volvos are sleek, and the S80 led that Swedish revolution away from the box. S80 design cues have gone over well, having been applied to the rest of the Volvo line, even to the best-selling XC90 sport-utility vehicle. Those cues that describe the S80 include soft lines with a gently sloping hood, steeply raked windscreen, slightly bowed roofline and coupe-like rear window. A short rear deck lid completes the seductive silhouette. Flared wheel wells gently wrap the striking alloy wheels. Every little corner is rounded off, while doors and side panels are lightly sculpted.

The nose contains a traditional but sweeter mesh grille, while the rear end was tweaked for 2004 with smaller tail lamps and a new bumper. The styling changes were so precise that they included new exterior mirrors designed to reduce wind noise and help keep the side windows cleaner.

The 2005 S80 T6 Premier gets a fully color-coordinated exterior.