As the carmaker's flagship vehicle, the
2010 Volvo S80 is a luxury sedan available in three trim levels: 3.2, T6, and V8. The front-wheel-drive S80 3.2 is equipped with a 3.2-liter inline-6 engine, while the all-wheel-drive S80 T6 has a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 engine and the all-wheel-drive S80 V8 sports a 4.4-liter V-8 engine. All S80 trim levels come with a six-speed automatic transmission.
The 2010 Volvo S80's exterior boasts an attractive grille, a bold badge, and new trim on the front fascia, taillights, and door bases. The S80's cabin sports a new steering wheel as well as new trim on the starter button and gear shift. The Executive package features ventilated leather seats and wood veneers, and if that's not enough, a rear fridge and crystal glasses are options. And though it doesn't get very good gas mileage, with EPA ratings in the 18 mpg city / 27 mpg highway range, the S80 has legendary safety features and good safety scores like the rest of the family.
New for 2010
In 2010, the Volvo S80 received revised options, a few new features, and a shuffling of package items. For example, the Sport package lost its "package" designation, because its components became standalone options for the V8 trim, while the new Dynamic package was modified to include sport-tuned suspension on the T6. The exterior of the S80 received a refreshed front grille, chrome trim accents, and dual exhaust tips. The luxurious interior gained soft-touch leather surfaces and stitching matched to the door panels, while the center stack acquired silk metal.
Essentials
Engines: 3.2L I-6, 3.0L turbocharged I-6, 4.4L V8
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Body Style: 4-door sedan
Trims: 3.2 Sedan, T6 Sedan, V8 Sedan
On the Outside
Among the most notable Volvo S80 exterior features are a bold Volvo badge and subtle bright work on the front fascia, door bottoms, and taillights.
From the Inside
The interior of the S80 is low-key, comfortable Volvo Swedish design, with flowing surfaces and soft comfy seats, while the instrument panel's twin primary gauges and the center stack's controls are distinctly logical and user friendly.
Driving Performance
While the Volvo's S80's 235-horsepower 3.2-liter inline-6 engine runs zero to 60 mph in a leisurely 7.4 seconds, the 281-horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter engine makes quick work of the trek in 6.5 seconds and the 311-horsepower V8 flashes to a finish in a mere 6 seconds. If more agile handling is desired, the optional Sport chassis, available on the T6 and V8 trims, offers firmer springs, shocks, anti-roll bars, and stiffer sub-frame bushings.
Safety Equipment
Standard safety features on the Volvo S80 include antilock disc brakes, front-seat side airbags with separate chambers for chest and hip protection, side curtain airbags, anti-whiplash front head restraints, and seatbelt pre-tensioners in all five belt positions. Among Volvo's technologically advanced safety features are its Blind Spot Information System and the "Heartbeat Sensor," just in case someone you don't expect is hiding in wait. In crash testing, the Volvo S80 earned top ratings for frontal and side collision protection.
Gas Mileage
3.2: 18 mpg city / 27 mpg highway
T6 AWD: 16 mpg city / 24 mpg highway
V8 AWD: 15 mpg city / 22 mpg highway
Plusses
- V-8 engine
- Safety features
- Roomy interior
- Comfortable ride
Minuses
- Mediocre mileage
- Numb steering
- Dated exterior
Rating
Flagship luxury sedan with all the trimmings
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