2011 Volvo S80 Review

Volvo S80

The 2011 Volvo S80 remains the flagship of Volvo's sedan lineup, a model that the brand priorities of comfort, safety and technology showcase, but also a distinctly different view of the interior.

From three meters, the S80 is nothing special to watch. The relatively wide metal - it is a large sedan - show only the most minimal of character lines, curves, or undulations.

Simply put: it is a very conservative design. Within liven things a little, with the unique waterfall center console design that puts controls on a thin panel, leaving space behind for storage of valuables. The dashboard itself is very nice too, with high-end wood, metal, and high performance plastics that are part of the design.

The front-wheel-drive 2011 Volvo S80 3.2 is powered by a 3.2-liter inline-6, 240 hp and 236 pound-feet of torque produced. Mated to a six-speed automatic, fuel economy is 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined.

The AWD S80 T6 has a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 producing 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a six-speed automatic, fuel economy is 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined.

The S80 feels more overtly stylish inside, where a version of Volvo's floating center console at its best, which is a thin center console that a high-end audio system seems, including additional storage space, just behind for smaller items. Materials are top-notch, and the caliber of the traditional luxury cars in recent years, including chrome finish and real wood with new Silk-metal inlays and door panel stitching added last year and they bring a nice contrast with an interior that is basically a bit stark and Scandinavian.

Volvo has a very strong safety heritage, and S80 in particular has an excellent track record goes back many years. For 2011, the S80 continues to seek safety as one of the full-size sedan choices.

The 2011 S80 gets top "good" ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in frontal, side and rear impact, and a 'good' rating in the new roof strength test; these meters are still in the protection of a rollover. It is not, though, are reviewed by the federal government.

The 2011 Volvo S80 comes standard with ABS disc brakes, front seat side airbags (with separate rooms for chest and hip protection), side curtain airbags, anti-whiplash front head restraints and seat belt tensioner in all five positions.