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2008 Volvo S40
2008 Volvo S40 Review
Standing Out Without Shouting
The Volvo S40 is peppy, nimble, and refined. However, it isn't particularly fuel efficient, despite being the smallest sedan Volvo sells.
For its size, the compact Volvo S40 is accommodating and comfortable, though the back seat is tight for three adults. This sedan exudes the refined and understated style Scandinavian companies are known for. The center console on the interior is a good example of this — it’s a thin panel that appears to float and has intuitive controls.
The base Volvo S40 2.4i comes with a 2.4-liter five-cylinder engine that is peppy. It drives the front wheels via either a five-speed manual transmission or a smooth-shifting five-speed automatic that can be shifted manually. Despite being smaller, it’s not all that more efficient than more potent six-cylinder engines offered in competing German models such as the Audi A4 Sedan and BMW 3 Series Sedan.
The performance-oriented and pricier Volvo S40 T5 has a stronger turbocharged five-cylinder engine that is a better match for the six-cylinder-powered Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series. It can be ordered with front- or all-wheel drive. The former comes only with the five-speed automatic transmission; the latter comes with a standard six-speed manual transmission and the five-speed automatic is optional.
The sportier T5 model trades fuel efficiency for power; it loses 1 or 2 miles per gallon in average fuel economy to the base S40. As with virtually every other vehicle that offers all-wheel drive, this feature further saps fuel economy. The manual six-speed tranmission, which is standard on the S40 T5 with all-wheel drive, has more aggressive gearing that reduces fuel efficiency compared to the optional five-speed automatic.
The Volvo S40’s sophisticated suspension gives it nimble handling. While the Volvo S40 does lean through curves taken aggressively, the overall handling is taut, allowing for quick maneuvering in tight traffic. The optional Dynamic Sport Suspension, available as part of an options package on the T5 model, stiffens things further for even more tenacious handling, though at the expense of a rougher ride.
As expected with Volvo — a safety innovator — the S40 has a variety of safety features, including front-side and side-curtain airbags, a reinforced cage around the passenger compartment, and four-wheel antilock disc brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and emergency brake assistance. It performs admirably in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s crash tests.
Fold-down rear seats expand cargo carrying capabilities. A variety of trim panels are available for different looks.
Though already well equipped, a host of luxury options include headlamp washers, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a satellite navigation system.
The wagon equivalent of the S40 sedan is called the Volvo V50.
• See all Volvo models in the Volvo Showroom
You like smaller, nimble cars and need and easily accessible back seat and decent-sized trunk; you want a stylish sedan that stands out without screaming for attention.
Outright performance is most important to you; you require seating for five adults, plus gear.
The front seats are comfortable except for small/thin occupants, who might find the protruding headrests designed to mitigate whiplash in the case of a rear-end collisions to be invasive; the rear seating area can be tight for tall occupants if those in the front have their seats pushed way back. Outward visibility and access to all controls is excellent and should accommodate drivers of all sizes.
Audi A4; BMW 3 Series Sedan; Cadillac CTS; Lexus IS 250; Mercedes-Benz C-Class; Saab 9-3
Volvos have long been known for their safety features. In 1959, Volvo’s popular Amazon and PV544 models were equipped with three-point safety belts — which the company says was a world first and an invention pioneered by Volvo’s head of safety engineering at the time, Nils Bohlin. In the 1960s and ‘70s, Volvo helped pioneer such innovations as crumple zones, rear facing child seats, collapsible steering columns, side collision protection, and three-way catalytic converters.
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