Volvo, long a leader in safety, this year has developed an inflatable curtain to reduce chance of head injury to occupants in the event of a side impact. When activated, by the same sensors as the car's side-impact airbags, the curtains cover the area of the side windows from the front A pillar to the rear C pillar. In addition, a new seat design helps minimize whiplash injuries should the car be struck from behind. The upper part of the seat moves up and forward to provide extra support for the head and neck. The S80 is one of those cars you could drive for several hundred miles without tiring.
Seats are soft.
Besides independent suspension, including front struts with antiroll bar and antidive geometry, and rear multilink, the S80 has computerized stability and traction control and a refined antilock braking system. Interior controls are well-placed and gauges are easy to read. The Volvo has cargo space of 14.2 cubic feet, which can be extended with the split rear seatback. Fuel-tank capacity is 20 gallons. Shortly after its introduction, the S80 received the European Design Award, and this week was rated No. 1 in a survey of buyers of 1999-model automobiles.