2013 Volvo S80

CITY SAFETY
At city-street speeds, if the system senses impending contact with a vehicle or other object, and the driver does not apply the brakes, the car will stop itself. While it's best for drivers to not be distracted in the first place, the City Safety system really can help.

3.0-LITER TURBOCHARGED ENGINE
Combining impressive maximum output with a fat, flat torque curve, the 2013 S80 T6 AWD's turbocharged engine puts out nearly as much power as the V8 offered a couple of years ago.

As you'd expect of a Swedish-designed car, the 2013 Volvo S80's 5-passenger cabin is straightforward and functional. To direct ventilation to your head or torso, for instance, press the corresponding area on the human-shaped controls. Audio and navigation functions benefit from a high-resolution 7-inch color display. Leather covers the seats, steering wheel and gearshift knob, and can also be had on the dash and armrests. The front bucket seats are ultra-supportive and feature 8-way power for both driver and passenger. The rear seats fold down to increase cargo space, which is good as trunk space is rather tight.

The 2013 Volvo S80 isn't exactly an exercise in trend-setting design, but it's still a handsome car and one that may stand the test of time better than more edgy rivals. It has a graceful, sweeping roofline, and its strong shoulders, angular hood and twin tailpipes suggest some athleticism. Volvo's signature flowing taillights continue to make a statement of elegance. Base models ride on 17-inch wheels, and turbocharged versions get 18-inch alloy wheels.

Volvo S80 models are powered solely by inline 6-cylinder engines. The base offering is a normally-aspirated 3.2-liter that produces 240 horsepower and is available only with front-wheel-drive. It is adequate to move this mid-size sedan, but hardly inspiring. Drivers who relish more excitement behind the wheel or simply want the security of effortless acceleration will prefer the turbocharged 3.0-liter six that makes a stout 300 horsepower and an even more impressive 325 lb-ft of torque. The turbo engine is paired with all-wheel drive, which offers superior grip on slippery surfaces. Both engines are connected to a 6-speed automatic transmission that can be manually shifted if desired. A Sport mode is added to the transmission this year. 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 @ 6,400 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 @ 2,100-4,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/26 mpg

The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) on a base 2013 Volvo S80 3.2 is $39,845. The turbocharged, all-wheel-drive T6 version adds $4,000 to that price. A fully-loaded S80 T6 can top $56,000. At these prices, the 2013 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 KBB.com's Fair Purchase Price to see what others in your area are actually paying for the Volvo S80. Over several years, the S80 is not expected to retain its value as well as the BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 or Acura TL.

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