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2008 Volvo S40 Quality Review

July 22, 2008

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

top-level fit and finish
Car and Driver

glovebox space is meager
Kelley Blue Book

excels when it comes to eating up big chunks of miles on the highway
Edmunds

the quality feel we expect of the marque
Road & Track

Following Volvo tradition, the 2008 Volvo S40 belies its mid-20s base price, Ford Focus roots, and entry-level status across the model spectrum with comfortable seats and quality construction.

Up front, the S40 sports ergonomically designed chairs whose “comfort on long drives is undeniable,” remarks Kelley Blue Book. Comparing its interior dimensions to competitors such as Audi’s A4 and BMW’s 3-Series, Edmunds finds the “S40 offers nearly identical interior dimensions.” And the high quality of that square footage is undisputed: “From something as simple as a high-quality headliner to the clean and classy gauges, the S40's cabin conveys an upscale feel from top to bottom,” continues Edmunds. Model year 2008 also addresses a sore point with the interior, as Volvo wisely adds “more storage space in the doors and the center console,” according to Motor Trend.

Alas, the rear seat isn’t as hospitable, but none of its European rivals have Cadillac-large backseats either. Kelley Blue Book criticizes a “cramped rear seat and moderate headroom.” ConsumerGuide is kinder, stating, “two adults get decent head and elbow space, but three will feel pinched.”

MyRide.com declares that “Volvo has created intelligent ways” to use its interior space. Both front and rear seats fold flat, opening up the trunk cavity and allowing items that extend from rear bumper to dash padding to be carried in the S40. Of the trunk, the same reviewers feel “the chopped-off rear end makes the trunk opening small,” hampering the ability to load big, bulky items.

As to its value in the marketplace, the S40's pricing makes it a strong competitor. “The S40 undercuts the base Audi A4, BMW 335 and Lexus IS by a good margin,” remarks Kelley Blue Book, “but the pricing gap closes quickly once comparable features are added.” The pricing starts in the mid-20s for a base 2.4i all the way to the low 40s for a loaded T5 AWD.

Conclusion

The 2008 Volvo S40 feels refined, though backseat passengers will be compressed.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:top-level fit and finishCar and Driverglovebox space is meagerKelley Blue Bookexcels when it comes to eating up big chunks of miles on the highwayEdmundsthe quality feel we expect of the marqueRoad & Track Following Volvo tradition, the 2008 Volvo S40 belies its mid-20s base price, Ford Focus roots, and entry-level status across the model spectrum with comfortable seats and quality construction. Up front, the S40 sports ergonomically designed chairs whose “comfort on long drives is undeniable,” remarks Kelley Blue Book. Comparing its interior dimensions to competitors such as Audi’s A4 and BMW’s 3-Series, Edmunds finds the “S40 offers nearly identical interior dimensions.” And the high quality of that square footage is undisputed: “From something as simple as a high-quality headliner to the clean and classy gauges, the S40's cabin conveys an upscale feel from top to bottom,” continues Edmunds. Model year 2008 also addresses a sore point with the interior, as Volvo wisely adds “more storage space in the doors and the center console,” according to Motor Trend. Alas, the rear seat isn’t as hospitable, but none of its European rivals have Cadillac-large backseats either. Kelley Blue Book criticizes a “cramped rear seat and moderate headroom.” ConsumerGuide is kinder, stating, “two adults get decent head and elbow space, but three will feel pinched.” MyRide.com declares that “Volvo has created intelligent ways” to use its interior space. Both front and rear seats fold flat, opening up the trunk cavity and allowing items that extend from rear bumper to dash padding to be carried in the S40. Of the trunk, the same reviewers feel “the chopped-off rear end makes the trunk opening small,” hampering the ability to load big, bulky items. As to its value in the marketplace, the S40's pricing makes it a strong competitor. “The S40 undercuts the base Audi A4, BMW 335 and Lexus IS by a good margin,” remarks Kelley Blue Book, “but the pricing gap closes quickly once comparable features are added.” The pricing starts in the mid-20s for a base 2.4i all the way to the low 40s for a loaded T5 AWD. ConclusionThe 2008 Volvo S40 feels refined, though backseat passengers will be compressed.  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.

Next Steps:

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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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