EDMUNDS.COM 2004 VOLVO S40
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 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
Bigger, sportier and more powerful than its predecessor, the new S40 is fun to drive, while adding a much needed dose of style to Volvo''s car line.
Pros
New S40''s sharp handling and attractive styling, speedy T5 version, long list of safety features, availability of all-wheel drive.
Cons
Choppy highway ride, old S40''s lack of sporting intentions.
What''s New for 2004
Volvo offers two generations of its S40 sedan for sale in 2004. The old S40 receives few changes this year; however, an upscale LSE trim version has been added. There are also minor revisions to the front fascia, and the audio system now comes pre-wired for a CD changer. Midway through the model year, an all-new S40 arrives as a 2004.5 model. Nothing is carried over from the previous S40. The new sedan is shorter in overall length but has a longer wheelbase -- this translates to better handling and more interior room. Whereas the previous S40 has only one drivetrain option, the new version has two engine and three transmission choices.
Overview
Introduction:
The S40 is Volvo''s smallest and most affordable vehicle. It went on sale in Europe in 1996, but wasn''t introduced in the U.S. until the 2000 model year. In the years since, Volvo''s small sedan has begun to show its age. It certainly isn''t a bad car, but it has always suffered for its bland look, lack of powertrain choices and poor packaging. It''s too expensive to appeal to Volkswagen Jetta buyers but not luxurious enough to appeal to the Audi A4 set. Midway through the 2004 model year, though, the prognosis has changed: Volvo has released a redesigned version of its small sedan. Completely new from the ground up, the 2004.5 S40 offers improved safety, performance and interior room, as well as slick styling inside and out. Looking more like a sport sedan from Germany than Sweden, the new S40 offers styling reminiscent of its larger siblings''. Although shorter than its predecessor, the new car is wider and has a longer wheelbase, which translates into more interior room. And it''s not just space that has improved -- in contrast to its predecessor''s utilitarian cockpit, the new S40 actually has some style inside. Just when you thought the typical car dashboard couldn''t be improved upon, Volvo comes up with the coolest-looking center stack this side of Stockholm. The thin, flowing center piece offers storage space behind it, but it''s the wow factor that will really get this interior piece noticed. If you like shopping at IKEA, you''ll love the new look. Whereas the old S40 has a mandatory automatic transmission, the new sedan gives buyers considerably more options. The standard 2.4i model comes with a 2.4-liter, inline five-cylinder engine that is normally aspirated and makes 168 horsepower. A five-speed manual and a five-speed automatic are the available transmissions. An upgraded T5 model offers a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline five that makes 218 hp. Of the two, the T5 is definitely the car serious drivers will prefer. It would be unfair to call the 2.4i underpowered, but once the turbo on the T5 kicks in, the 2.4i is but a distant memory. Available with the same five-speed automatic as the 2.4i, the T5 also offers a six-speed manual gearbox. All-wheel drive is optional on automatic-equipped T5s. Designed specifically with the U.S. market in mind, the 2004.5 S40 shares some of its architecture with the second-generation Ford Focus that will be sold in Europe. While engine, drive systems, interior and suspension components are unique to Volvo, the fact remains that Ford and Volvo are working more closely with each other. Those skeptical about a Volvo with subtle hints of Ford influence should look to the car''s low price for comfort. Not surprisingly, Volvo hopes it will be a high-volume seller. A vast improvement over the original S40, the new sedan looks, acts, feels and performs exactly the way we think an entry-level Volvo should and it would be a worthwhile addition to your shopping list.
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For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
The old S40 sedan comes in base and LSE trims. Base models provide the essentials, including alloy wheels, height-adjustable front seats, a CD player and full power accessories. Step up to the LSE and you''ll get 16-inch wheels, leather upholstery and a power driver seat. The redesigned 2004.5 S40 comes in 2.4i and T5 versions. The 2.4i comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with telescope adjustment and a CD player. In addition to a more powerful engine, the T5 adds front and rear spoilers, wood grain interior trim, foglights, automatic climate control, a power driver seat and a trip computer -- all of which is optional for the 2.4i. Premium and Sport Packages are available for both trims; they''re your ticket to leather upholstery, a moonroof, firmer suspension calibrations and wheel/tire upgrades. Other extras include a 12-speaker Dolby stereo with an in-dash CD changer, a navigation system and bi-xenon headlights.
Powertrains and Performance:
Base and LSE models come with a turbocharged 1.9-liter four-cylinder good for 170 horsepower; a five-speed automatic transmission is standard. The 2.4i comes with a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter inline five-cylinder rated for 168 hp. Buyers can choose either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic to go with it. The T5 gets a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline five that makes 218 hp and 236 pound-feet of torque. In addition to the automatic, the T5 is eligible for a six-speed manual gearbox. T5 versions are also available with all-wheel drive, so long as you select the automatic transmission.
Safety:
Four-wheel antilock disc brakes are standard; traction control is optional on base and LSE models and standard on the 2.4i and T5. Volvo''s DTSC stability control system is also available on the 2.4i and T5. All models include both side-impact airbags and head curtain airbags, along with whiplash-reducing front seats. Built-in child booster seats are optional. The outgoing S40 earned a "Good" rating (the highest) in frontal offset crash testing; its successor has not been tested.
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For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
While the ''04 S40 offers a respectable level of luxury, its successor''s interior is more unique and styled to appeal to a younger audience. The first thing you''ll notice is the ultraslim center stack, which has a definite Scandinavian design while also allowing for more storage up front. Interior trim choices include faux metal, faux wood, real aluminum or a transparent material reminiscent of an i-Mac desktop computer. The ergonomically designed seats are available with four different upholstery types, and adults will find adequate legroom in both the front and rear.
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For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
Volvo tuned the outgoing S40 for a fairly taut ride, though comfort ultimately takes precedence over performance. The new S40 takes performance much more seriously. Handling is crisp and entertaining, though the standard tires are taxed by more aggressive cornering. The downside to the S40''s sharp reflexes is that cruising comfort suffers. Both the old S40s and the new 2.4i model offer adequate power for everyday driving, but weekend enthusiasts should head straight for the spirited T5 model.
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For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
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