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With its all-new S80, Volvo takes a step up in the automotive class war, moving into the rich and competitive world of high-end luxury cars.

This is the most car that Volvo has ever built: the biggest, most luxurious, most refined and most stylish sedan that the formerly staid Swede has yet to set forth. And being the longtime leader in passenger protection, the S80 also is touted as the safest.

Competing heads up with the likes of Mercedes-Benz, Lexus and BMW, the S80 brings to the table all the traditional virtues of a prestige car, such as a quiet, compliant ride and a lush interior, while retaining those things that serve to set Volvo apart, such as advanced safety features and build quality.

And this is the second time in recent memory that Volvo has thrown us a curve. Just like the lovely C70 coupe or convertible, the S80 is a beautiful car, not at all the boxy utility wagons that we generally associate with Volvo.

“That’s a Volvo?” was the most-often-heard remark when people set eyes on the S80. Translation: Holy smokes, I didn’t know Volvo could make a car that looks so fine.

Built on an all-new platform, the S80 replaces Volvo’s midsize, rear-wheel-drive 7-series cars, which evolved into the S90 sedan and V90 wagon. The S80 joins its smaller stablemates as a front-driver, completing Volvo’s rapid transition from building only rear-drive cars to building only front-drive cars.

Although many reviewers are calling the S80 the best Volvo ever, I believe the S80 has lost the character and road manners of the Swede’s other front-drive cars. It feels far too cushy and soft, more like a large American family car than a taut European. Compared with similar offerings from Mercedes, BMW, Saab and Audi, the S80 is placid and flaccid.

I love the feel of the smaller V70, sedan or wagon, with its responsive steering and poised control. The S80 certainly seems competent and road-worthy, but more along the lines of Lincoln or Buick than what I’ve come to expect from Volvo.

Basically: comfortable, competent and dull.

Doubtless, the S80 is an excellent car that will run well and last long, given Volvo’s reputation. And its soft, quiet performance should attract many luxury-car buyers who seek the peace and comfort of a traditional up-market sedan.

The S80’s styling is distinctive, especially from the rear, where aggressive compound curves on the upper edges blend into the taillights. The overall look is faintly reminiscent of past Honda Accords and Acura RLs, but bigger and better defined.

The large interior also marks a departure for Volvo, with a dashboard that’s more smoothed out and up-to-date than previous models. But it also comes across looking rather generic. If it didn’t say Volvo on the steering wheel, I just as well may have been driving a Lexus or an Oldsmobile.

But the new dash is more organized and easy to use than past Volvo dashboards. There are also a bunch of usable cubbyholes and hideawa ys. The radio controls are kind of odd, especially how you pick out preset stations with a single knob rather than push buttons. And the climate-control system switches work well enough, but the vent controls look really weird.

The seats are wonderfully comfortable, even in terms of Volvo’s customarily excellent seats.

If nothing else, you can be sure that Volvo went to great pains to make sure its clientele stays well and alive in the event of a crash. Safety features include a massive built-in safety cage around the passenger compartment, seats with a whiplash protection system, “inflatable curtain” air bags that protect the heads of front-seat occupants in a side collision, upgraded side air bags and seat-belt pre-tensioners.

And to prevent a crash from happening, the S80 is equipped with computerized traction control, an advanced anti-lock braking system, stability control to fight skidding in curves, plus such passive safety features as daytime running light s, optiona l built-in child booster seats and optional reversing radar (so you don’t back over things, like kids).

There’s also a unique convenience feature, a remote-control lighting system that turns on the car’s headlights, taillights, interior lights and a set of side lights that illuminate the ground next to the car.

There are two engine options with the S80, both in-line-six-cylinder mills mounted transversely. I drove the naturally aspirated 2.9 engine, which delivers a respectable 201 horsepower, but not until you reach a high 6,000 rpm. Though it accelerates sedately from a stop, the S80 will pick up its skirts and run once you get the engine up into its sweet zone.

The other engine is a twin-turbocharged 2.8-liter in-line six, which pumps out an impressive 268 horsepower, coupled with 280 pound-feet of torque commencing at a low 2,000 rpm. I think I might have been more excited about the S80 if I had driven this turbo version.

A good-looking sedan with a cushy ride and a lush interior, backed by Volvo’s solid reputation for safety and reliability, is nothing to scoff at. By all rights, Volvo should make a big dent in this lucrative market.

But I still prefer the tight handling and responsive behavior of Volvo’s smaller cars, which the S80 seems to have lost on its way upmarket.

1999 Volvo S80

Vehicle type: Five passenger, four-door sedan, front-wheel drive. Base price: $35,829. Price as tested: $39,240. Engine: 2.9-liter in-line-6, 201 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, 243 pound-feet of torque at 4,200 rpm. Transmission: Four-speed automatic. Curb weight: 3,602 pounds. Wheelbase: 109.9 inches. EPA fuel economy: 19 mpg city, 27 mpg highway. Highs: Quality feel. Safety features. Nice styling. Lows: Mushy ride. Lack of personality. Generic dash.