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2008 Volvo S40 Review

July 22, 2008

STYLING | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

looks as if it had spent many a long winter's night at a Swedish gym
Car and Driver

substantially freshened for 2008
Cars.com

Volvo didn't automatically commit to the 'longer, lower, wider' philosophy
Edmunds.com

Fresh and modern at its 2004 introduction, the 2008 Volvo S40 welcomes exterior and interior tweaks to keep it competitive and address some niggles with the interior.

With an exterior described by Car and Driver as “athletic, highlighted by short overhangs and bulging fenders,” Volvo adds, according to Cars.com, a “V-shaped hood bulge [that] runs into a more sculpted nose” and a broader lower air intake for the 2008 model year. Additional exterior changes include a Volvo logo 50 percent bigger than before, high-intensity LED rear lights, and restyled front projector beam headlights.

Inside, the S40 provides a functional, cool place to work its controls. Kelley Blue Book says the S40’s interior is “Scandinavian in nature” and that it must surely “qualify as no-frills.” The interior retains “the button-and-knob-infused stack” that “isn't immediately intuitive,” according to Car and Driver, but Volvo has made numerous changes in response to complaints. Chief among the changes are additional storage cubbies for “more storage space in the doors and the center console,” Motor Trend notes. Cars.com comments that “the center armrest is modified for greater comfort, and the handbrake handle is smaller and less intrusive.”

Conclusion

Subtle changes inside and out make the 2008 Volvo S40 an even more aesthetically pleasing ride.

STYLING | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:looks as if it had spent many a long winter's night at a Swedish gymCar and Driversubstantially freshened for 2008Cars.comVolvo didn't automatically commit to the 'longer, lower, wider' philosophyEdmunds.com Fresh and modern at its 2004 introduction, the 2008 Volvo S40 welcomes exterior and interior tweaks to keep it competitive and address some niggles with the interior. With an exterior described by Car and Driver as “athletic, highlighted by short overhangs and bulging fenders,” Volvo adds, according to Cars.com, a “V-shaped hood bulge [that] runs into a more sculpted nose” and a broader lower air intake for the 2008 model year. Additional exterior changes include a Volvo logo 50 percent bigger than before, high-intensity LED rear lights, and restyled front projector beam headlights. Inside, the S40 provides a functional, cool place to work its controls. Kelley Blue Book says the S40’s interior is “Scandinavian in nature” and that it must surely “qualify as no-frills.” The interior retains “the button-and-knob-infused stack” that “isn't immediately intuitive,” according to Car and Driver, but Volvo has made numerous changes in response to complaints. Chief among the changes are additional storage cubbies for “more storage space in the doors and the center console,” Motor Trend notes. Cars.com comments that “the center armrest is modified for greater comfort, and the handbrake handle is smaller and less intrusive.” ConclusionSubtle changes inside and out make the 2008 Volvo S40 an even more aesthetically pleasing ride.  2008 VOLVO S40 STYLING | [8 out of 10] Car and Driver: “looks as if it had spent many a long winter's night at a Swedish gym” Cars.com: “substantially freshened for 2008” Edmunds.com: “Volvo didn't automatically commit to the 'longer, lower, wider' philosophy” Fresh and modern at its ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2008 Volvo S40 occupies an in-between price range, so it competes with luxury-brand rivals as well as affordable alternatives. The Acura TSX, which includes the superior service of Acura dealerships, has especially nimble handling, a good ride, and impressive fuel efficiency, but its backseat is somewhat cramped. Another possibility is the Subaru Impreza; in its base 2.5i form, it’s a much more affordable alternative, with standard all-wheel drive and performance from its horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine similar to the base five in the Volvo. And the Impreza WRX offers performance that rivals the T5, at a lower price. The Saab 9-3 is another alternative, bringing good, sharp handling and decent performance, but its ride can be choppy and its interior isn’t especially roomy. The Jetta may provide the most value in this class for those who are completely practically minded. Its five-cylinder engine offers performance that’s very comparable to that in the standard 2.4i model, with similar equipment and a backseat that’s a bit roomier, at a price that’s close to $10,000 less. That said, if safety features are the priority and you’re willing to pay the extra money for them as options, the S40 is unbeatable.

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See the Volvo S40 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000

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