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2009 Volvo S40 Quality Review

June 4, 2009

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

The 2009 Volvo S40 feels refined, though backseat passengers will be compressed.

Quality defines the interior of the 2009 Volvo S40. “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 2009 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. Up front, the S40 sports ergonomically designed chairs, and their “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.”

Both front and rear seats fold flat, opening up the trunk cavity and allowing the S40 to carry items that extend from the rear bumper to the dash padding. MyRide.com declares that “Volvo has created intelligent ways” to use its interior space. 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.

ConsumerGuide kindly comments “two adults get decent head and elbow space, but three will feel pinched” in the S40's rear seat. On the flip side, Kelley Blue Book criticizes a “cramped rear seat and moderate headroom.”

The pricing starts in the mid-20s for a base 2.4i all the way to the low 40s for a loaded T5 AWD. “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.”

Conclusion

The 2009 S40 belies its upper-20s base price, Ford Focus roots, and entry-level status with comfortable seats, a refined ride, and quality construction.

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 The 2009 Volvo S40 feels refined, though backseat passengers will be compressed. Quality defines the interior of the 2009 Volvo S40. “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 2009 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. Up front, the S40 sports ergonomically designed chairs, and their “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.” Both front and rear seats fold flat, opening up the trunk cavity and allowing the S40 to carry items that extend from the rear bumper to the dash padding. MyRide.com declares that “Volvo has created intelligent ways” to use its interior space. 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. ConsumerGuide kindly comments “two adults get decent head and elbow space, but three will feel pinched” in the S40's rear seat. On the flip side, Kelley Blue Book criticizes a “cramped rear seat and moderate headroom.” The pricing starts in the mid-20s for a base 2.4i all the way to the low 40s for a loaded T5 AWD. “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.” ConclusionThe 2009 S40 belies its upper-20s base price, Ford Focus roots, and entry-level status with comfortable seats, a refined ride, and quality construction. 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.

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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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