Volvo S40 Reviews

Launched in the 2000 model year, the Volvo S40 is a compact premium sedan that takes a modern approach to luxury. The S40 offers an appealing range of safety features, and it impresses with its clean, contemporary design.

2004 to 2011: Volvo S40

Volvo is a Swedish carmaker, and its vehicles have a uniquely Scandinavian perspective that will be attractive to those who want a luxury vehicle that’s different from the typical German and Japanese choices. The S40 is the automaker’s entry in the compact-car segment.

This sedan’s second generation was introduced halfway through 2004, as a 2004.5 model. This generation ran until 2011, which was the S40’s final year of production.

Relative to earlier versions, the second-generation S40 offers a more spacious cabin and improved handling. Also, the car’s exterior design got a big upgrade. The S40’s final generation is known for its stylish sheet metal.

When it was first introduced, the second-generation S40 gave buyers a choice of two powertrains. Both manual and automatic transmissions were available. Models from this generation are offered with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

The powertrain lineup was eventually slimmed from two to one. In its last year on the market, the S40 was equipped with a five-cylinder engine that delivers 227 horsepower and energetic acceleration.

The S40’s cabin reflects a contemporary Scandinavian design. Styling cues like a unique floating waterfall-style center stack help separate this Volvo from its peers. The front seats provide superb comfort and support. However, the S40 trails the pack when it comes to cargo capacity.

This Volvo sedan comes standard with features such as heated mirrors and a CD player. All models are equipped with head restraints that are designed to reduce whiplash.

The list of optional equipment includes amenities like heated front seats, rain-sensing windshield wipers and adaptive xenon headlights. Also, models from this generation are available with a blind-spot warning system.

In 2007, the S40 added stability control to its list of standard features, and this sedan got a styling refresh in 2008. In 2009, features like Bluetooth connectivity and a sunroof were added as standard equipment on all models. The manual transmission was dropped for the 2009 model year, but it returned with the 2010 model.

The S40 is usually cross-shopped against small luxury sedans like the Lexus IS, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Its chic, comfortable cabin and sophisticated exterior design help make it a strong choice in a competitive segment.

Earlier S40 Models

Though it went on sale in Europe with the 1996 model, Volvo didn’t bring the S40 to North American shores until the 2000 model year. This small sedan features the boxy styling that is typical of Volvo cars from that era. It was introduced with a four-speed automatic transmission and a 160-horsepower engine.

For the 2001 model year, the S40 brought in crash-protection equipment such as head-protection airbags, dual-stage front airbags and a new child-seat safety system. Upgrades were made to its cabin and sheet metal, and the four-speed automatic transmission was replaced with a new five-speed automatic gearbox.

For the 2003 model year, the S40’s engine got a 10-horsepower boost. Also, a CD player joined the list of standard features.