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2011 Volvo S80

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Volvo S80

Overview

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2011 Volvo S80 Review

By KBB.com Editors

Although it doesn't garner the same media spotlight as an Audi A6 or Lexus GS, the 2011 Volvo S80 still merits attention. While it may not have the same eye-popping style as some other luxury cars, it does have a quiet confidence about it. Offering two six-cylinder engines (one naturally aspirated, one turbocharged), front- or all-wheel drive and what may be the most comfortable front seats of any luxury brand, the 2011 Volvo S80 is a solid, safe and reliable bet.

You'll Like This Car If...

Although it may not have the same status as a BMW, Jaguar or Lexus, the 2011 Volvo S80 makes no apologies for placing safety and substance over status and glitz.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If cutting edge design, a high-output V8 engine and complex electronic systems make up your idea of what a luxury performance sedan should be, the 2011 Volvo S80 isn't going to win you over.

What's Significant About This Car?

For 2011, the V8 engine is no longer offered in the Volvo S80. Few will miss it because the turbocharged six-cylinder engine in the top-of-the-line 2011 Volvo S80 T6 AWD now makes 300 horsepower, nearly as much as the defunct V8. The non-turbo six-cylinder engine in the base 2011 Volvo S80 3.2 receives a five-horsepower increase. Volvo also dropped the Executive Package and put some of its features in the new Inscription Package.

Driving the S80

Driving Impressions While the base 2011 Volvo S80 3.2 tends to favor comfort over performance, the turbocharged Volvo S80 T6 AWD seems to have no problem achieving both goals. Both cars exhibit...

a confident and capable driving character. The driver-selectable Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DTSC) permits modestly energetic cornering before making its presence known and the all-wheel drive in the Volvo S80 T6 AWD does an impressive job of instantly rebalancing the front-to-rear power equation as traction conditions change. While the Volvo S80's naturally-aspirated in-line six-cylinder engine makes the Volvo S80 3.2 fully capable of dealing with daily commutes and cross-country cruises, it's the Volvo S80 T6 AWD's 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque that deliver the kind of thrilling performance expected of a sedan in this price range.

Favorite Features

3.0-liter Turbocharged Engine
Pairing impressive output with a fat, flat torque curve, the 2011 Volvo S80 T6 AWD's turbocharged six is a brilliant piece of work that rivals the defunct V8 for enthusiastic real-world performance.

Multimedia Package
What is a great driver without great tunes and driving directions? In the Volvo S80, the available 650-watt premium audio system pumps your music through 12 speakers, while the DVD navigation can warn of impending traffic delays.

2011 Volvo S80 Details

Interior

Standing in stark contrast to its conservative exterior, the 2011 Volvo S80's interior should be the template for all luxury sedans. Clean, simple and straightforward, but with enough individuality and Scandinavian styling to mark it as a premium luxury car, the Volvo S80's interior delights the senses in a number of ways. The sense of touch is satisfied by soft-touch surfaces, supple leather coverings and Volvo's "ortho-posture" front bucket seats. The sense of hearing is stimulated by the available 650-watt, 12-speaker premium sound system. The sense of sight is treated to lovely interior colors, handsome walnut wood inlays and elegantly simple controls. The Volvo S80 provides comfortable seating for four, or can have its 60/40 split-folding rear seats dropped to increase the trunk's rather small capacity.

Exterior

The 2011 Volvo S80 may not stand out as a metal masterpiece, but its subtle good looks and classic Volvo styling make for a handsome car. Its design will probably withstand the test of time better than some of its more whimsical rivals. A sweeping roofline and purposeful shoulders give the Volvo S80 just a hint of sporty attitude, while tasteful applications of chrome around the grille, tail lights and lower side moldings bespeak of restrained luxury. A few bright colors would help the Volvo S80 make a more visual statement, but Volvo offers only varying degrees of gray, black or sliver (and one dark blue) as paint choices.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Highlighting the 2011 Volvo S80's standard features are numerous power assists, a tilt and telescopic steering column and dual-zone climate control. The standard 160-watt, eight-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system also has an auxiliary input and MP3 capability, USB/iPod port and six-month subscription to Sirius Satellite Radio. Safety features include active head restraints to prevent whiplash neck injuries and a side-impact system that adds protection in a vulnerable area. The up-level Volvo S80 T6 AWD adds all-wheel drive, a sport suspension, and a power sunroof.

Optional Equipment

The 2011 Volvo S80's options start with five key groups: The Climate Package (heated front and rear seats, heated washer nozzles, rain-sensing windshield wipers and high-pressure headlamp washers); the Technology Package (Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Collision Warning with Auto Brake and Driver Alert Control); the Dynamic Package (18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, sport suspension and Active Bending xenon headlamps); the Multimedia Package (Dynaudio Surround Sound system, DVD navigation, Real Time Traffic and rear camera) and the Inscription Package (ventilated front seats, full Sovereign leather seating and a leather and wood steering wheel). Single options include dual-screen rear-seat DVD entertainment system, front and rear Park Assist, Blind Spot Information System, a power sunroof, and dual xenon headlamps.

Under the Hood

The Volvo S80 engine lineup includes two distinct choices for 2011. The base Volvo S80 3.2 has a naturally-aspirated 3.2-liter in-line six-cylinder that reaches peaks of 240 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The top-of-the-line Volvo S80 T6 AWD has a 3.0-liter turbocharged in-line six-cylinder that tops out at 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. Both engines are backed by an electronically controlled six-speed Geartronic automatic transmission that has a manual-style Sportshift mode. The Volvo S80 3.2 offers performance that is more than capable of merely keeping up with traffic. It, however, cannot match the S80 T6 AWD's thrilling acceleration.

3.2-liter in-line 6
240 horsepower @ 6200 rpm
236 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/27

3.0-liter in-line 6 turbocharged
300 horsepower @ 5600 rpm
325 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1500-4200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/26

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2011 Volvo S80 Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.4

Out of 10

Based on 80 Ratings for the 2007 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

9.4/10

Quality

9.5/10
Reliability

9.5/10

Performance

9.4/10
Comfort

9.6/10

Styling

9.4/10

Very comfortable, reasonable power.

By Burt (MA) on Saturday, May 25, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 10,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: Not Rated
Quality: Not Rated
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Price, good ride, great safety features."

Cons: "Nothing yet."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"Bought this car (2103) as an Executive Demo with ~6K on it. Had a minor issue with the Parking Sensors requiring service - Ened up being a loose cable - but other than that its been great. This vehicle came fully loaded. It is very comfortable and has adequate HP. It's the T6 AWD. New England winters require that. Best features I like are the BLIS and Lane Departure Warning System. The ride is outstanding and is very comfortable on longer rides. Cannot comment on reliability yet."

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I Love it!

By volvolover (CA) on Wednesday, April 17, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 26,500

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "security of having the safest luxury sedan"

Cons: "lower resale value than other luxury brands"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I purchased my 2012 S80 used. It is mechanically sound and has not had any reliability problems. The 3.2 inline-six is silky smooth and accelerates quickly for such a heavy car. The ride is solid and comfortable. I have the 650-watt 12-speaker sound system and it is awesome! I bought this car over the Benz I was considering in the same price range and have no regrets. The interior is elegant and the seats are the best. Even my friend with a Lexus said my seats are more comfortable! I plan on keeping it for a very long time. It's nice to drive a car that is not so common on the road."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Best car I've ever owned.

By Rocketman (MA) on Monday, March 25, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 130,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"In my fifty years of driving, the last seven cars I've owned have been Volvos. The S-80 is the best I've owned. It's got 130K miles now, and no major maintenance issues (not even a timing belt). The AWD turbo is excellent."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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I LOVE This Car!

By sgold37 (TN) on Thursday, February 28, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 40,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Style, comfort, affordability"

Cons: "None!"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I use to be a Lexus person, until I drove this car. Every time I drive it I love it more. It is comfortable, fast and classy looking. I get around 25 MPG overall and this includes a mixture of city/hwy driving. The people at the Volvo dealership were the very best to work with. I will never own anything but a Volvo. I'm in love for life!"

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Comfortable and stylish

By volvolover (CO) on Monday, January 21, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 46,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "smooth ride, well appointed interior, large trunk"

Cons: "not for curvy twisty roads"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"The Volvo S80 is the flagship of the Volvo line. It performs best when on the open road. The S80's ride is smooth and the seats are comfortable and the instrument package is clean and understandable. Be careful however, not to get a lead foot, since the ride belies the speed you are driving."

1 person out of 2 found this review helpful

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Dissappointed

By Rick (NC) on Monday, August 27, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 61,500

10 6.0

overall rating 6 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 6/10
Value: 6/10
Reliability: 5/10
Quality: 3/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "looks/soundsystem/comfort/gas mileage"

Cons: "interior fading/rides rough"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 3

"I purchased this car in April 2012. I loved the look of the vehicle and the test drive was really great. Car had 47k on it when I purchased it. At about 50k i noticed a constant bump noise at low speeds. Come to find out, there were flat spots on NEW tires that caused the noise. Suspension issue. Then my trunk latch broke, bluetooth has to be reset often. Interior is fading and seats are not as durable and seemingly cracking more than a vehicle with 61k should be. I am very dissappointed in Volvo's "flagship" vehicle. I am taking it to the dealer to make sure that there are no transmission issues as the vehicle rpm's raise when there is NO incline and there is a spring like noise pop when ever I start up and take off in the mornings. Advisor states that is a typical noise for Volvo's testing the ABS or something to that effect.. I was going to purchase a Honda Crosstour instead of this but wanted to keep a bit of luxury coming from a BMW... I should have purchased the Honda."

5 people out of 11 found this review helpful

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