As a vacation perk, I recently rented a 2006 Volvo S80 sedan in Denver, CO for 8 days. Hertz offers this car and other premium cars in select locations in the US.

I drove the car in city, highway and mountain roads. It is a refined car with many advanced features. I was generally impressed, but had a few small complaints.

It had a 5 cylinder gasoline, turbo charged, intercooled, fuel injected engine with 5 speed automatic. The manual listed horsepower as 230 (as I remember). The car had plenty of power but did not have quick acceleration from low speed.

It has many, many electronic features including trip computer for average mileage, instantaneous mileage, trip miles, and average speed. It is quiet, seats are firm and comfortable, the dash and controls are well planned and attractive.

About half way through the week the check engine warning light came on. I called the Hertz help number and was told the car's emission system was very sensitive and likely was slightly out of adjustment. I was told I could drive the car or Hertz would bring a replacement. I elected to continue driving the car although the idle was now a bit rough.

My complaint was the car would not turn as short as the old 240 series rear wheel drive. Several times I had to back up to take a second pass at parking. Front wheel drive does not allow as tight a turning radius.

Overall, a positive experience, but I still like my old 240's.