Base price: $24,525
Vehicle type: front-engine, front-drive; 4-door 5-passenger sedan
Interior volume, F/R/cargo (cu ft) 49–50/37–38/13
Wheelbase 100.9 in
Length/width/height 177.8/67.6/56.0 in
Turning circle 34.7 ft
Curb weight 2800–3000 lb
EPA city/hwy mpg 22/32
Fuel-tank capacity/range 15.8 gal/348 mi
Passive restraints driver and passenger front, side, and head airbags; rear head airbags
POWERTRAIN
turbocharged and intercooled 1.9-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-in-line, 170 hp; 5-sp auto
SUSPENSION
F ind, struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
R ind, multilink, coil springs, anti-roll bar
BRAKES
F/R vented disc/disc
ABS standard
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VOLVO S40
The S40 competes in what Volvo dubs the “pre-family segment” against the Audi A4 1.8T and the BMW 325i. By price, the S40 slots below the A4 1.8T and the 325i. This year, the 1.9-liter turbo four-cylinder gets a 10-horse boost to 170 hp, same as in Audi’s A4 1.8T, and the S40 weighs less so it may perform on par with the Audi in a straight line. But even with a sport package that was introduced last year, the S40 just can’t really compare with the Audi or the BMW as a sports sedan. The steering is direct and linear, but the chassis is uncommunicative. It remains the stoic Swede. The S40 boasts standard dual-stage front and side airbags as well as side-curtain airbags. Conservative, safety-minded “pre-families” will revel in its Volvoness. Enthusiasts may prefer the Audi or the BMW—at least until next year when the car is redesigned on the Ford Focus/Mazda 3 platform.
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