2012 Volvo S80

CITY SAFETY
While the best way to prevent an accident due to distracted driving is by not being distracted in the first place, this system, optimized for stop-and-go traffic and other low-speed situations, can prevent a crash or lessen damage due to one. At speeds of 19 mph or less, if the car senses it will collide with a vehicle ahead and the driver does not apply the brakes, the car will stop itself.

3.0-LITER TURBOCHARGED ENGINE
Pairing impressive output with a fat, flat torque curve, the 2012 S80 T6 AWD's optional, up-level engine puts out nearly as much power as the V8 offered just a couple of years ago.

While the 2012 Volvo S80's exterior may border on plain, its 5-passenger interior could be a template for all luxury sedans. As one may expect of a Swedish-designed car, the S80's cabin is straightforward and highly functional. Want to direct ventilation to your head or torso, for instance? Just press the corresponding area on the human-shaped controls. Other information, such as audio and navigation functions, now benefit from a high-resolution 7-inch color display that replaces the rather staid setup of past models. Leather covers the seats, steering wheel and gearshift knob, and can also be had on the dash and armrests. Then there are those front bucket seats; they are ultra-supportive and feature 8-way power for both driver and passenger. The rear seats, meanwhile, can fold to accommodate cargo and power-folding head restraints can be lowered for better visibility. Trunk space, though, is rather small for this size of car.

The 2012 Volvo S80 isn't exactly an exercise in design, but it's still a handsome car and one that may better stand the test of time than some peers. It has a sweeping roofline and strong shoulders, an angular hood in front and twin tailpipes in back imbue some athleticism and Volvo's signature flowing tail lights continue to make a statement of elegance. Base models ride on 17-inch wheels, and turbocharged versions get larger 18-inch alloys.

Since dropping the V8 option after 2010, Volvo S80 models are now propelled solely by inline 6-cylinder engines. The base engine is a 3.2-liter that produces 240 horsepower and is available only with front-drive; it is plenty adequate to move this midsize sedan. Drivers who relish more excitement behind the wheel or simply want the security of effortless acceleration will prefer the turbocharged 3.0-liter engine that makes a stout 300 horsepower and an even more impressive 325 lb-ft of torque; the turbo engine is standard with all-wheel drive, which offers superior grip for slippery surfaces. Both engines are connected to 6-speed automatic transmissions that can be manually shifted if desired. We applaud that both engines can run on less-expensive regular unleaded gasoline. And here's another surprise: The S80 is rated to tow up to 3,300 pounds.

3.2-liter inline-6
240 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
236 lb-ft of torque @ 3,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/29 mpg

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6
300 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
325 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/26 mpg

The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) on a base 2012 Volvo S80 3.2 is just under $39,000. A turbocharged, all-wheel-drive version adds $4,000 to that price, and a fully-loaded S80 T6 can reach over $54,000. At these prices, the 2012 Volvo S80 starts above the Acura TL, Lexus ES, Lincoln MKZ and Buick LaCrosse, and under the BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 and Cadillac CTS. Be sure to check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to see what others in your area are actually paying for the Volvo S80. Down the road, the S80's resale value is not nearly as good as those for the BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 or Acura TL.

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