2012 Volvo S80 Price, Review, Specs, what car reviews, The S80 is Volvo’s flagship sedan which debuted for the 1999 model year as a replacement for the S90 Sedan. Built on Volvo’s reputation for safety, the S80 debuted a number of new safety features, including a whiplash protection system and an Inflatable Curtain that provides added protection during side-impact collisions. For 2007 an all-new second-generation S80 debuted with a longer wheelbase and track, wider and taller body for a more dynamic stance and a number of upgrades to the interior. And for the first time, a new inline 6-cylinder and V8 power a Volvo with both being mated to a new 6-speed transmission. For 2008 the T6 AWD was added to the lineup featuring a 3.0-liter 281-horsepower engine.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2012 Volvo S80 is available in two trim levels: 3.2 and T6 AWD.
The 3.2 base model comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, front and rear foglights, heated mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, power front seats with driver memory settings, a split-folding rear seat with trunk pass-through, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a trip computer, full power accessories, a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming and an eight-speaker sound system with a six-CD changer, satellite radio, HD radio, an iPod/USB interface and an auxiliary audio jack. To this the T6 AWD adds all-wheel drive, 18-inch alloy wheels and a sunroof. The latter two features are optional for the 3.2.
The optional Premier Plus package includes front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry/ignition and Volvo’s Personal Car Communicator. The Climate package adds heated front and rear seats, headlight washers, rain-sensing wipers and heated windshield washer nozzles. The Technology package gets you adaptive cruise control, a collision-warning and pedestrian-detection system with automatic braking, lane-departure warning and Driver Alert. T6 models can also be had with a Dynamic package that contains unique 18-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned chassis, adaptive xenon headlights and unique aluminum interior trim.
From a luxury standpoint, the available Inscription package ups the ante with premium leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, a leather-covered dashboard and center armrest and genuine wood trim on the steering wheel and shift knob. The Platinum package adds the contents of the Premier Plus package with premium surround-sound audio, a voice-controlled navigation system and a rear back-up camera. A blind-spot monitoring system is a stand-alone option.
Powertrains and Performance
The front-wheel-drive 2012 Volvo S80 3.2 is powered by a 3.2-liter inline-6 engine that produces 240 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. Mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, this engine returns EPA fuel economy estimates of 20 mpg city/29 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined.
The all-wheel drive S80 T6 gets a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 producing 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic is standard here as well. EPA estimates for this powertrain are 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined.
Safety
The 2012 Volvo S80 comes standard with antilock disc brakes, front-seat side airbags (featuring separate chambers for chest and hip protection), side curtain airbags and active front head restraints.
There are a host of other safety-related features available, including a blind-spot monitor and lane-departure warning. More novel safety technology here includes a collision and pedestrian warning system with “Auto Brake” and a driver-fatigue monitor that tracks a variety of factors including the driver’s face to determine whether he or she is dozing off behind the wheel.
In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests, the S80 earned the top rating of “Good” for both frontal-offset and side collision protection.
Interior Design and Special Features
The interior of the 2012 Volvo S80 might not be as flashy as some of its rivals, but it’s a fine place to spend time just the same. Front seats are especially comfortable and the backseat, while not exactly spacious, can handle a couple of average-size adults with few complaints.
Gauges and buttons are logically placed and simple to use, especially Volvo’s signature climate controls. One notable improvement is that last year’s irritating navigation system interface has been replaced by a large, high-mounted 7-inch color display that also allows easy access to audio controls and settings.
The S80′s trunk offers 14.9 cubic feet of cargo room. While this capacity is not huge, the fold-down rear seatbacks and trunk pass-through give it some additional flexibility when the need to carry longer items arises.
Driving Impressions
The 2012 Volvo S80′s 3.2-liter base engine is perfectly serviceable, but its relative lack of refinement makes it hard to recommend. The turbocharged engine of the T6 is another matter entirely, as it delivers the kind of lively acceleration you’d expect from an upscale sedan.
When equipped with the standard suspension, the S80 has a plush ride quality, though its handling abilities leave something to be desired. Buyers looking for a sharper driving experience will find the firmer suspension that comes with the Dynamic package to be a worthwhile investment.
2012 Volvo S80 Price :
MSRP range:$37,950 – $45,650
Invoice price range:$35,673 – $42,911
2012 Volvo S80 Specs :
Drivetrain : Front Wheel Drive
Curb Weight (lbs) : 3761
City (MPG) : 20
Hwy (MPG) : 29
Horsepower : 240@6200
Torque (lb-ft) : 236@3200
Wheelbase : 111.6
Length (in.) : 191.0
Width (in.) : 73.3
Height (in.) : 58.8