2011 Volvo S80 Review Summaries

What reviewers liked most about the Volvo S80:

Volvo prides itself on being a sensible Swede, and there is a logical neatness to the S80's cabin and controls. The main instruments are similar to those of the Mercedes E-Class: analog, with needles pointing to the perimeter and digital messages at the center. Most functions are controlled via buttons, a four-way switch pad, and a small screen on the Volvo's unique "floating" center console. The screen for the optional navigation system pops up at eye level from the top of the dash.

-- Car and Driver

The interior of this Swede is a milestone in Volvo design. The two-tone chiseled dash achieves simple but attractive lines and houses a twin-dial instrument cluster with trick floating needles. Volvo's signature waterfall-style center console also makes an appearance in this new model, and becomes only more attractive with each iteration.

-- Road & Track

What reviewers liked least about the Volvo S80:

The (optional) BLIS system is anything but blissful - the A-pillar lights are tolerable during the daytime, but become a distraction at night. I also encountered the BLIS's hidden sense of humor on a couple of occasions when it found it funny to throw in occasional false alarms, scaring me back into my lane like a first-grader lost in a house of mirrors. We believe that the old head-over-shoulder maneuver still seems to work pretty well.

-- Road & Track

Best one-liner about the Volvo S80:

Some might find it boring, but suburbanites of the low profile sort will not be disappointed.

-- Car and Driver