2003 Volvo 40 series Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Volvo's slow-selling S40 sedan and V40 wagon get more horsepower, a standard CD/cassette player, and revised gauges for 2003. Both share a turbo 4-cyl engine with 170 hp, up from 160. A 5-speed automatic is the sole transmission. Torso front side airbags, head-protecting curtain side airbags, and antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are standard. Traction control is part of the optional Cold Weather Package. Other options include a sunroof, leather upholstery, and integrated dual rear child-booster seats. The Sport Package option features 16-inch wheels vs. 15s, leather upholstery, a spoiler, fog lights, and unique interior trim, but no alterations to the engine or suspension. The seats are also changed for '03, with slimmer headrests intended to improve rear visibility.

Competition

This hotly contested segment has its benchmark in the Lexus ES 300. It blends comfort, style, luxury, and sport into an efficient package at an affordable price. ES 300 manages to offer a little more luxury than others in the class.

We Recommend the Acura TL, Audi A4, and new Infiniti G35. All offer comfort, speed, and nimble handling at attractive prices. The sporty and Euro-flavored BMW 3-Series is Recommended as a rear-drive alternative. The "3" has enough bodystyles and engine choices to suit anyone. At the other end of the near-luxury spectrum is the posh and comfortable Buick Park Avenue--an old-school luxo-cruiser from Detroit.

News

Volvo soon starts rolling out an expanded group of entry-level cars, all-new in most respects save general size. A redesigned S40 sedan debuts this summer, followed in the fall by an updated wagon retitled V50. Both retain front-wheel drive. Due sometime next winter is a new XC50 wagon with all-wheel drive and SUV-like styling that may involve a unique, taller 4-dr body. XC50 will be a kind of kid brother to Volvo's large XC90 luxury SUV. A front-drive coupe labeled C50 completes the lineup, reportedly sometime in 2005. All these cars will look like Volvos, but are built on parent Ford Motor Company's new "P1" global platform that's also destined for the next-generation Ford Focus and Mazda Protege. Late word is that all 40/50 models get a new 2.0-liter Volvo-built 4-cyl engine as standard, with light-pressure turbocharging available. C50 and XC50 will also offer an optional turbo 2.4-liter I5 with around 200 hp. Later on, Volvo may add a sporty R-model sedan, wagon and coupe with the 5-cyl and AWD. Volvo's small-car overhaul comes none too soon, as 40-Series sales plunged a whopping 30 percent in calendar 2002 vs. the year-earlier period.

Volvo is also readying a smaller 30-Series for the European market, and is said to be studying U.S. sale. America would likely get a 4-dr hatchback and perhaps a sporty wagon-shaped coupe based on the European Ford Fiesta with front drive and 4-cyl engines in the 1.8- to 2.0-liter range. No word on when we might see the baby Volvos, but one source says it could be early next year.

2003 Volvo 40 series Road Test

Pros	Cons

Ride	Rear-seat room

Steering/handling

Cargo room (wagon)

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

S40	V40	Class Average
6	6	6.1

Test 2002 V40 took 7.8 sec 0-60 mph. Midrange punch is good, but turbo throttle lag is annoying. We haven't tested a 2003, but a 10-hp bump isn't likely to make much difference.

Fuel Economy

S40	V40	Class Average
5	5	5.1

Test S40 averaged 21.6 mpg in a mix of city/highway driving. Volvo recommends premium fuel.

Ride Quality

S40	V40	Class Average
6	6	6.4

Comfortably supple despite a fairly short wheelbase. Sharp bumps do register, especially in the wagon, but the chassis copes well with large ruts and humps, though with occasional mild "float."

Steering/Handling/Braking

S40	V40	Class Average
6	6	7

Moderate body lean, grippy front-drive predictability in aggressive cornering. Precise steering, powerful brakes inspire confidence, but test V40 tended to wander in simulated panic stops.

Quietness

S40	V40	Class Average
5	5	6.1

Wind noise well managed, but bumps produce more thumping than expected. Engine relaxed in top-gear cruising, but exhaust boom, intake growl occur in full-throttle acceleration.

Controls

S40	V40	Class Average
6	6	6.4

Similar to larger Volvos, and just as clear and functional. Cabin materials and workmanship nothing special vs. near-luxury leaders.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

S40	V40	Class Average
5	5	6.1

Ample space on wide, supportive seats. Good basic driving stance with standard tilt steering wheel and available power seat.

Room/Comfort (rear)

S40	V40	Class Average
3	3	3.8

Almost subcompact-tight. Foot space and entry/exit hampered when front seats are set back. Narrowish doors should open wider, too.

Cargo Room

S40	V40	Class Average
3	7	4.1

Sedan's roomy trunk has usefully low liftover, but small opening thwarts bulky objects. Wagon cargo deck fairly wide but not long.

Value within Class

S40	V40	Class Average
2	2	4.8

The smallest Volvos have a nice array of standard safety features, and they ride and handle competently. But their uneven turbo power delivery and shortage of cabin space are serious shortcomings at these prices, which rise quickly with just a few options.

Total Score

S40	V40	Class Average
47	51	55.9

Scores for all Premium Compact Cars

Low Score		46
Average Score		55
High Score		63

2003 Volvo 40 series Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 02/10/2003

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

S40 Base 4-door sedan	$23,900	$22,466	$685

V40 Base 4-door wagon	$24,900	$23,406	$685

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Base

Powertrain

1.9-liter dohc turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain airbags, front-seat active head restraints, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, daytime running lights, emergency inside trunk release (sedan).

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning w/automatic climate control, interior air filter, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth/vinyl upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, trunk pass-through, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, power antenna (sedan), digital clock, tachometer, outside-temperature display, variable-intermittent wipers, rear defogger, intermittent rear wiper/washer (wagon), map lights, illuminated visor mirrors, cargo cover (wagon), floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, rear fog lights, 195/60VR15 tires, alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Premium Pkg.
Base	$4,040	$3,432
Power sunroof, leather upholstery, 8-way power driver seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, upgraded sound system, trip computer, simulated wood interior trim.

Sport Pkg.
Base	$2,300	$1,953
Leather/cloth upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum-effect interior trim, sport instrument cluster, front fog lights, rear spoiler, 215/50R16 tires, Galactica alloy wheels.

Sport Pkg. w/leather upholstery
Base	$3,300	$2,803


Cold Weather Pkg.
Base	$950	$807
Traction control, heated front seats, headlight wiper/washer.

Safety
Dual child-booster seats
Base	$300	$255


Comfort and Convenience Features
Power sunroof
Base	$1,200	$1,020


Leather upholstery
Base	$1,400	$1,190


8-way power driver seat
Base	$450	$382


Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Base	$150	$127


CD changer prewiring
Base	$27	$22


Galactica alloy wheels
Base	$500	$425
Includes 215/50R16 tires.

Appearance and Miscellaneous
Metallic paint
Base	$450	$382

2003 Volvo 40 series Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Volvo 40 series 4-door sedan	Volvo 40 series 4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	100.9	100.9

Overall Length, in.	177.8	180.2

Overall Width, in.	67.6	67.6

Overall Height, in.	56.0	56.1

Curb Weight, lbs.	2767	2822

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	13.2	68.1

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	15.9	15.9

Seating Capacity	5	5

Front Head Room, in.	38.7	38.7

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.1	41.1

Rear Head Room, in.	37.2	38.3

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	32.7	32.7

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	Turbocharged dohc I4

Size, liters/cu. in.	1.9 /116

Horsepower @ rpm.	170 @ 5200

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	177 @ 1800

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed automatic	22/30

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test

Volvo 40 series 4-door sedan

Volvo 40 series 4-door wagon

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	4/50,000	--

Corrosion	8/unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	4/unlimited	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: The Netherlands

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

< 2003 Volvo 40 series Photos

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