1999 Volvo S80 Interior Review at Automotive.com
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Volvo
S80
1999

1999 Volvo S80 Review: Interior

Below is a full, detailed 1999 Volvo S80 review and road test from New Car Test Drive. A full evaluation of price, equipment, the driving experience, and specs are all here in a structured, easy-to-navigate format from journalists with limitless expe ...     read more
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1999 Volvo S80 Review

This once utilitarian Scandinavian warms up with style.
Interior
Styling enhancements exercised on the S80's body flow seamlessly inside. A tasteful two-tone color scheme in cool, muted hues ties the whole cabin together, from the dashboard and glove box to the doors and kick panels. The spare use of a simple, dark simulated wood lends a nice, understated accent. It's only used on the shifter, the perimeter of the center console and in a single swath of trim that rings the cabin.

The front leather seats feel rich and firm and provide ample support, with just enough bolstering for a snug fit. Getting in and out of them takes little effort as the seating position tends to be upright and the doors open wide. But just in case a little help is needed, Volvo added a driver's side grab handle, a convenience found in only a few trucks and fewer cars. If you want a warm seat, however, turning on the driver's side seat heater can be a bit awkward because the controls for both front seat heaters sit closer to the passenger.

Volvo paid as much attention to providing the S80's back seat passengers with as much comfort as the front. The wide rear seat easily accommodates three adults, with legroom compromised only when the front seats are in their rearmost position. And forever with an eye on safety, all three rear seats have headrests to minimize whiplash, and three-point seat belts.

Carrying a lot of cargo is no problem. The S80 has a large, deep trunk made all the more accessible by its low lift-over height, trunk-mounted rear seat back releases and a pass-through space.

The S80's instrument panel is particularly clean. The gauges fit logically and don't overwhelm with unnecessary clutter. Wherever the driver positions the tilt steering wheel, the center-placed speedometer and tachometer remain in plain view.

Climate controls are intuitive and well designed. Dual climate controls allow adjustments for driver and passenger temperature preferences. The radio uses a dial to control the choice of programmed stations in place of the now more familiar row of buttons. A dial is also used to choose between AM, FM or CD sources. Additional radio controls are on the steering wheel. Next Page


1999 Volvo S80