Did You Know Mitsubishi Still Sold the Galant?...
Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
On TheCarConnection.com:
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2009 Volvo S40 Performance Review

June 4, 2009

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

makes for an uncomfortably stiff ride
ConsumerGuide

turbocharged engine brings the little S40 to life
Kelley Blue Book

Don't confuse quickness with satisfaction
Jalopnik

at 3,126 pounds…a relative lightweight.
Edmunds

Among the different versions of the 2009 Volvo S40, reviewers most like the performance of the T5 minus the sport package and all-wheel drive.

The optional 2.5-liter turbo in the T5 brings 227 horses to the table, but perhaps even more significantly, its 236 pound-feet of torque is available from 1,500 to 4,800 rpm, allowing, says Car and Driver, “launches off the line” and great highway passing, all with “no noticeable turbo lag.” Kelley Blue Book feels the “turbocharged engine brings the little S40 to life.” Comments on the S40’s standard 2.4-liter inline-five, which registers 168 horsepower and 170 pound-feet, range from “perfectly adequate” (Edmunds) to “unimpressive, especially up long grades” (ConsumerGuide).

The base engine still has a choice of five-speed manual or five-speed automatic. “Go easy on it and the stick can be slid from gear to gear with barely two fingers,” remarks Kelley Blue Book, reflecting general praise for the manual transmission. Of the automatic, they feel it “seemed to work quite well.” Some bemoan the cancellation of the T5’s manual transmission option, leaving a five-speed automatic the lone choice for the turbo engine in 2009: “the Geartronic manual shift mode is not as quick nor as fun to drive as the discontinued six-speed manual,” finds Edmunds.

In regard to suspension, Edmunds reports “most drivers would be more content with the standard setup as it offers a more livable compromise between performance and comfort.” The stiffly sprung sports suspension, standard with AWD models and included with the Sports Package, “makes for an uncomfortably stiff ride,” observes ConsumerGuide. Car and Driver hails the base suspension’s “firm ride that manages to be both comfortable and compliant.” Cars.com agrees: “curves produce only modest body lean, and the sedan corners crisply.”

According to Edmunds, the electro-hydraulically assisted power steering deserves a little praise. It's a willing ally with the S40’s responsive chassis, one that exhibits “high-speed confidence and low-speed ease.” “Just the right amount of effort,” agrees Road & Track.

All-wheel drive, even when you don’t need it, saps fuel economy; it drops mileage figures by 2 mpg on the 2009 S40. But remarkably, the extra performance of the turbo engine is just as efficient; both base and turbo engines achieve identical city/highway fuel-economy ratings of 20/28 mpg with the five-speed automatic.

Conclusion

The 2009 Volvo S40 isn’t at the head of the sport-sedan pack, but most will appreciate its poise and composure.

PERFORMANCE | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:makes for an uncomfortably stiff rideConsumerGuideturbocharged engine brings the little S40 to lifeKelley Blue BookDon't confuse quickness with satisfactionJalopnikat 3,126 pounds…a relative lightweight.Edmunds Among the different versions of the 2009 Volvo S40, reviewers most like the performance of the T5 minus the sport package and all-wheel drive. The optional 2.5-liter turbo in the T5 brings 227 horses to the table, but perhaps even more significantly, its 236 pound-feet of torque is available from 1,500 to 4,800 rpm, allowing, says Car and Driver, “launches off the line” and great highway passing, all with “no noticeable turbo lag.” Kelley Blue Book feels the “turbocharged engine brings the little S40 to life.” Comments on the S40’s standard 2.4-liter inline-five, which registers 168 horsepower and 170 pound-feet, range from “perfectly adequate” (Edmunds) to “unimpressive, especially up long grades” (ConsumerGuide). The base engine still has a choice of five-speed manual or five-speed automatic. “Go easy on it and the stick can be slid from gear to gear with barely two fingers,” remarks Kelley Blue Book, reflecting general praise for the manual transmission. Of the automatic, they feel it “seemed to work quite well.” Some bemoan the cancellation of the T5’s manual transmission option, leaving a five-speed automatic the lone choice for the turbo engine in 2009: “the Geartronic manual shift mode is not as quick nor as fun to drive as the discontinued six-speed manual,” finds Edmunds. In regard to suspension, Edmunds reports “most drivers would be more content with the standard setup as it offers a more livable compromise between performance and comfort.” The stiffly sprung sports suspension, standard with AWD models and included with the Sports Package, “makes for an uncomfortably stiff ride,” observes ConsumerGuide. Car and Driver hails the base suspension’s “firm ride that manages to be both comfortable and compliant.” Cars.com agrees: “curves produce only modest body lean, and the sedan corners crisply.” According to Edmunds, the electro-hydraulically assisted power steering deserves a little praise. It's a willing ally with the S40’s responsive chassis, one that exhibits “high-speed confidence and low-speed ease.” “Just the right amount of effort,” agrees Road & Track. All-wheel drive, even when you don’t need it, saps fuel economy; it drops mileage figures by 2 mpg on the 2009 S40. But remarkably, the extra performance of the turbo engine is just as efficient; both base and turbo engines achieve identical city/highway fuel-economy ratings of 20/28 mpg with the five-speed automatic. ConclusionThe 2009 Volvo S40 isn’t at the head of the sport-sedan pack, but most will appreciate its poise and composure. 2009 VOLVO S40 STYLING | [8 out of 10] Car and Driver: “athletic, highlighted by short overhangs and bulging fenders” Edmunds: “Volvo didn't automatically commit to the 'longer, lower, wider' philosophy” Cars.com: “substantially freshened for 2009” While 17-inch Spartacus wheels help ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

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 of 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 extra for options, the S40 is unbeatable. 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 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.

Next Steps:

Get a free price quote

for the 2009 Volvo S40 from a dealer near you

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2009 Volvo S40

Check Financing Rates

for the 2009 Volvo S40

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2009 Volvo S40 near you

See the Volvo S40 in Other Years:

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

Comments (0 total)

Be the first to post a comment

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy