Styling enhancements exercised on the S80's body flow seamlessly inside. A tasteful two-tone color scheme in cool, muted hues ties the whole cabin together, from the dashboard and glove box to the doors and kick panels. The spare use of a simple, dark simulated wood lends a nice, understated accent. It's only used on the shifter, the perimeter of the center console and in a single swath of trim that rings the cabin.Leather seating is standard on both the 2.9 and the T6. The front leather seats feel rich and firm and provide ample support, with just enough bolstering for a snug fit. Getting in and out of them takes little effort as the seating position tends to be upright and the doors open wide. But just in case a little help is needed, Volvo added a driver's side grab handle, a convenience found in only a few trucks and fewer cars. The controls for both front seat heaters sit closer to the passenger. Volvo paid as much attention to providing the S80's back seat passengers with as much comfort as the front. The wide rear seat easily accommodates three adults, with legroom compromised only when the front seats are in their rearmost position. The S80's instrument panel is particularly clean. The gauges fit logically and don't overwhelm the driver with unnecessary clutter. Wherever the driver positions the tilt steering wheel, the center-placed speedometer and tachometer remain in plain view. Climate controls are intuitive, well designed, and attractive. Dual climate controls allow adjustments for driver and passenger temperature preferences. The radio uses a dial to control the choice of programmed stations in place of the now more familiar row of buttons. A dial is also used to choose between AM, FM or CD sources. Additional radio controls are on the steering wheel. The rear-view mirror has automatic dimming and the adjustable outside mirrors have a memory feature. A nicely designed hand brake lever is used in place of the foot pedals often found in this class. Carrying a lot of cargo is no problem. The S80 has a large, deep trunk made all the more accessible by its low lift-over height, trunk-mounted rear seat back releases and a pass-through space. The 2001 S80 comes with a dual-stage airbag system for both driver and passenger in the front seat to help further reduce the risk of injury. Specially designed headrests reduce whiplash in a rear collision by cupping the front passengers, and buffeting their contact with the seats. Inflatable window curtains, as well as side air bags, protect the head and torso in a side impact. All three rear seats have headrests to minimize whiplash, and three-point seat belts. Rear-seat retractable head restraints are back by popular demand for 2001; pressing a button on the center stack gets them out of the way for improved rearward visibility.
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