2012 Volvo S80 Review  

Overview

Volvo S80 is a four-door, five-passenger, luxury sedan with impressive safety features, stylish and functional interior layout, sublime seat comfort, and powerful engines. S80, Volvo's flagship vehicle, has been revised for 2012 with enhanced powerplants and equipment availability. The previous S80 V8 AWD has been discontinued and the S80 T6 AWD gets a boost in output. The 2012 Volvo S80 is available in two models: 3.2 and 3.2 T6 AWD.

Power and performance

The 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine of the S80 T6 AWD now generates 300 horsepower and 325 lb.-ft. of torque. It is capable of 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds, just 0.3 seconds more than the former V8. The S80 T6 AWD is fitted with Volvo's All-Wheel Drive with Instant Traction for excellent grip on any type of road surface. The S80 3.2 has a modest increase in power this year (240 hp). All S80 models are equipped with a six-speed "Geartronic" transmission.

Body and styling

Alloy wheels measuring 17-inch or 18-inch; standard power heated mirrors with integrated turn signals; standard rain-sensing windshield wipers; optional heated windshield-washer nozzles (standard on V8); optional headlight washer (standard on V8); and optional xenon headlights with articulating lenses are some of the main exterior features on the Volvo S80. The interior is marked by ergonomically designed seats; leather steering wheel, shifter, brake handle, and seating upholstery; moonroof and dual-zone automatic climate control; wireless phone connectivity; optional heated front and rear seats (standard on V8); optional 650-watt, 12-speaker surround-sound system; optional dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system (screens integrated into headrests); and optional navigation system with real-time traffic controls. Climate, Dynamic (T6), Technology, Multimedia (3.2 and T6) and Executive (3.2 and T6) packages are available with a few stand-alone options.

Safety Features

The 2012 Volvo S80 comes with a host of Volvo's standard safety and security features including side-impact, side curtain airbags and anti-lock braking system with hydraulic brake assist.

*Based on 2012 EPA mileage estimates, reflecting new EPA fuel economy methods beginning with 2008 models. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008 .Your actual mileage will vary, depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.