
Vehicle Overview
Touting “Scandinavian luxury” as its defining attribute, the flagship sedan combines traditional Volvo lines with high-tech safety features typical of the brand. All-wheel drive is also available. Competitors include the BMW 528, Audi A6 and Saab 9-5.
New for 2011
Volvo has dropped the V-8 all-wheel-drive option, leaving the S80 with either a 3.0- or 3.2-liter V-6 engine. The Executive Package has been dropped, but a new Inscription Package of interior accents has been added.
Exterior
Volvo says Scandinavian luxury is accessible, elegant and intelligent without being elitist. Volvo has shaken the boxy look it made famous by giving the S80 a curvier, sleeker appearance with a slightly sportier profile, yet still an unmistakably Volvo design. Exterior features include:
- Available 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels
- Standard power-operated and heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals
- Optional rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Optional heated windshield-washer nozzles
- Optional headlight washer
- Optional xenon headlights with articulating lenses
Interior
The S80’s center controls sit on a thin metal panel pioneered in the S40 compact sedan. Luxurious touches include optional real wood trim with wood steering wheel. The back bench has a standard 60/40-split folding function for increased cargo capacity. Interior features include:
- Standard leather steering wheel, shifter and brake handle
- Standard wireless phone connectivity
- Optional moonroof and dual-zone automatic climate control
- Optional heated front and rear seats
- Optional upgraded sound system
- Optional navigation system with real-time traffic info
Under the Hood
For 2011, Volvo has cut back on the number of engines and drivetrains available. Mechanical features include:
- 240-horsepower, 3.2-liter six-cylinder
- 300-hp, twin-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder
- Six-speed automatic transmission
- Front- or all-wheel drive
Safety
In addition to the standard safety features, available safety features include a blind spot warning system, which checks adjacent lanes for unnoticed cars, and a collision warning system that monitors the speed of traffic ahead and warns drivers of impending rear-end collisions. Safety features include:
- Standard side-impact and side curtain airbags
- Standard antilock braking system with hydraulic brake assist
- Optional adaptive cruise control
- Optional lane departure warning system
- Optional park assist and parking-assistance camera