Review of the new Volvo S40 Range

Most of the tough stuff had already been done by the time Volvo's S40 arrived at the start of 2004. Changing Volvo's image from purely a manufacturer of setsquare vehicles built like tanks to that of a proper premium car maker producing modern, relevant, desirable models was a burden shouldered by cars like the original C70 and the S60. The S40 rode on the coat tails of this change in perception and did very nicely as a result. Never one to look a gift horse in the mouth, Volvo did much to capitalise on the market's rapid acceptance of the S40, rolling out new engines and trim levels with frightening pace.

The current range opens with 1.6 petrols and diesels, then comes the 143bhp 2.0-litre petrol followed by a 2.0-litre 148bhp D3 diesel. Step up again and there's a 175bhp version of the same engine badged D4. The range is finally topped off by the T5, now packing 230bhp. As you'd expect, the S40 rides on the same basic chassis set up as its estate counterpart, the V50, but the same underpinnings have also been used in other Ford group models like the Ford Focus and the Mazda3. That's not to say the S40 is simply a rebodied Focus. There's vast scope for tuning of individual aspects of the chassis and Volvo tweaked the set-up as it saw fit.

Volvo hasn't skimped when it comes to safety, and they claim that the S40 is as good to crash in as the flagship S80 saloon. Making a small car as safe as a big 'un takes some doing and it's only when you look at some of the finer points of how Volvo have achieved this that you realise quite what this commitment means. It involves casting the turbo housing as one with the exhaust manifold so that the engine is more compact when mounted transversely, giving more space for crush zones. It means developing the Intelligent Driver Information System which monitors how hard you're using the throttle, brakes and steering and will hold incoming telephone calls or satellite navigation instructions until things have calmed down so as not to distract you in the middle of a manoeuvre. It means using four different grades of high tensile steel for crash protection. The hazard lights now switch on when the car detects an airbag inflation and during hard braking or when the anti lock is activated the emergency brake lights function flashes all three brake lights five times a second to warn following drivers.

"Volvo hasn't skimped when it comes to safety"

Volvo has made some small incremental improvements to the car's look and feel. At the front end, the chrome-framed 'egg-crate' grille has been reprofiled and features a bigger Volvo badge. Clear lensed headlights and a wider air intake look a little more distinctive, while at the back there's a revised LED tail light assembly as well as a modified bumper, boot handle and tail pipe design. Drop inside and the key design feature remains. It's a centre console that's a softly contoured moulding featuring supremely easy to use controls and fresh air behind it. You can even specify aluminium or semi-transparent plastic finishes and everybody who gets in will notice it. This is probably the neatest interior design feature we've come across since the original Audi TT was launched. Like that TT's cabin, the S40's feels like it belongs on a motor show stand. This time around, the controls have been altered while the centre tunnel storage area features a smaller handbrake and a revised armrest for better driver comfort.

Better cupholders, bigger door bins and an auxiliary input for the stereo under the armrest are all included while the instrument panels on the D5 and T5 models look a little racier. There's now the choice of Nordic Light Oak for the floating centre stack or Virtual White if you're feeling minimalist. The 'spaceball' gear selector is present and correct on manual cars. As with the previous S40, Volvo can only do so much with the wheelbase and space in the rear is a little tight but the huge boot comes as some consolation.

Yes, these prices are a little higher than you'd pay for other saloons that ride on family hatchback underpinnings but Volvo will claim that its car feels classier than the mainstream alernatives. The manufacturer worked hard to endow the S40 with its own identity and has, by and large, succeeded. Equipment levels are very strong to boot with some really high-end options available for the car. Dynaudio speakers are fitted to the Premium Sound system and there's a hard-drive based RTI road traffic and information system for the sat nav. A lot of thought has gone into the details. Even the remote key fob has auto open and auto close functions for all side windows and the sunroof. Water Repellent Glass is fitted to the front side windows on higher spec models, offering better visibility at junctions.

The biggest seller in the S40 range has traditionally been the 2.0-litre diesel car and the latest five-cylinder 2.0-litre engine in the D3 and D4 models is designed to continue that trend. Once you've swallowed the initial purchase price, it's reassuringly inexpensive to run. An average fuel consumption figure of 55.4mpg in the D3 is good but the D4 manages the same returns despite its extra power. The appeal of this S40 is the way it combines a refreshingly brisk turn of pace with outstanding economy without feeling insubstantial in any way.

The top economy in the range comes from the 1.6 DRIVe model which returns 72mpg with 104g/km emissions. It uses a 107bhp version of Volvo's 1.6-litre diesel engine, a 113bhp version of which is found in the D2. The only S40 to really generate a sharp intake of breath in terms of running costs is the range-topping T5 sports model. Drive the T5 hard then and it will consume fuel at a determined rate, certainly nowhere near the official 31.4mpg combined figure.

Most vehicle model ranges are inherently good or bad. The Volvo S40 range is not that cut and dried. There are some very good versions of this car such as the 2.0-litre diesel models, some pretty competent engines such as the 1.6 petrols and diesel and then there are the engine choices that genuinely leave you scratching your heads, into which we'd lump the range-topping T5. In some cases the S40 is a car you'd buy in spite of its powerplant as it does very well in virtually every other regard bar interior space.

TOP 5 S40 DEALS

The results below show the top S40 deals on buyacar

Volvo S40 DRIVe [115] SE Lux Edition 4dr Diesel Saloon
Price £20,108 Read S40 Reviews	Save £3,137
Volvo S40 2.0 ES 4dr Saloon
Price £15,731 Read S40 Reviews	Save £2,499
Volvo S40 DRIVe [115] SE Edition 4dr Diesel Saloon
Price £19,228 Read S40 Reviews	Save £3,017
Volvo S40 D2 [115] ES 4dr Diesel Saloon
Price £17,468 Read S40 Reviews	Save £2,777
Volvo S40 D3 [150] R DESIGN Edition 4dr Diesel Saloon
Price £20,658 Read S40 Reviews	Save £3,197
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