2005-2008 Volvo S40 and V50: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 2005-2008 Volvo S40/V50 and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Ride/handling
- Build quality
- Quietness
Cons
- Acceleration (2.4i)
Vehicle Highlights
Volvo's entry-level line added wagon and all-wheel-drive variants for 2005. The S40 sedan was joined by a wagon called the V50. Both offered base 2.4i and sporty T5 models, each with a 5-cyl engine. 2.4i models were front-wheel drive and had 168 hp. T5s offered front- or all-wheel drive, were turbocharged, and had 218 hp. The S40 2.4i was available with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed automatic with manual shift gate. The V50 2.4i came only with the automatic. T5s were available with a 6-speed manual or the 5-speed automatic. Standard on every S40 and V50 were ABS, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, and traction control. AWD versions had a standard sport suspension that was optional on other models. Other options included an antiskid system and navigation system with pop-up dashboard screen. Leather upholstery, sunroof, and heated seats were also available.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Volvo S40 T5, auto. Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 6 | |
| Fuel Economy | 5 | |
| Ride Quality | 7 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 6 | |
| Quietness | 6 | |
| Controls/Materials | 7 | |
| Interior Room | 7 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 4 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 3 | |
| Value within Class | 6 | |
| Total Score: | 57 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 2005-2008 Volvo S40/V50. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 2005-2008 Volvo S40/V50.
Year to Year Changes
2006 Volvo 40/50 series:
Volvo's smallest sedans and wagons had no changes of note for 2006.
2007 Volvo 40/50 series:
An antiskid system was standard instead of optional on 2007 versions of Volvo's entry-level sedans and wagons. Keyless entry/starting was a new option for all models, which got a minor interior freshening for '07.
2008 Volvo 40/50 series:
The 2008 S40 got a new front fascia and grille, as well as a revised center console. The 2008 Volvo V50 got freshened exterior and interior styling. A blind-sport monitoring system was also newly optional on both.
Our road test for the 2005-2008 Volvo S40/V50 includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 2005-2008 Volvo S40/V50 and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 2005-2008 Volvo S40/V50 is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Despite Volvo's 0-60 mph acceleration claim of 7.7 sec with the manual transmission and 8.4 with the automatic, S40 2.4i models are unimpressive when it comes to acceleration. At least the manual transmission has precise linkage, and the automatic shifts smoothly. T5s are snappier, showing little turbo lag (a delay in throttle response) in most conditions. An S40 T5 with manual transmission did 6.9 sec 0-60 mph in our test. Test S40 T5 models averaged 20.3 mpg with the manual transmission, 20.6 with the automatic. An AWD V50 T5 averaged 25.0 mpg with more highway use. We have not had an opportunity to measure with a 2.4i. Premium-grade fuel is recommended for all. Any S40 or V50 has a firm ride, even with the base suspension. But those versions are the most comfortable. The available sport suspension (which is standard on AWD models) makes for an uncomfortably stiff ride, especially when used in conjunction with the optional 17-inch tires. The tradeoff comes in the form of solid handling response. These premium compacts are assured and nimble, if not quite as tenacious as top sport sedans like the BMW 3-Series. S40 and V50's steering is accurate, but some of our testers find it to be overassisted. Braking is stable and secure. Standard 5-cyl engines in all S40s and V50s aren't as smooth as the six cylinders found in competitors' vehicles. But they're not overly loud. Wind noise is modest, as is tire noise on the standard 16s. The optional 17s rumble on all but the smoothest surfaces. Note that one test AWD V50 had an annoying drumming noise that came from the cargo area at highway speeds. Interior design is a bit of a mixed bag. The appearance is modern, with a unique ultrathin center stack for audio and climate controls. Some testers say, though, the layout takes acclamation. Materials quality is appropriate for the class. One test AWD V50 had a persistent squeak from the driver seat. Adults have sufficient head and leg room up front, and they sit on supportive seats. Standard tilt/telescope steering columns and available power driver seats help tailor a comfortable driving position. In back, there's decent space for two, though knees get cramped with the front seats more than halfway back. Visibility to good on all, except to the right rear in sedans, where the head restraints and high deck interfere. Cargo space is quite good for a compact vehicle, with wagons being very flexible haulers. Folding rear seats are standard on S40 and V50. Be wary of the wagon's liftgate as it doesn't raise above the roofline, making access complicated for taller users.
Value for the Money
They may be a little too pricey and not quite sporty enough to snare the young driving enthusiasts Volvo targets. But the S40 sedan and V50 wagon are solid, capable, and--without the optional sport suspension/17-inch-tire combination--comfortable cars that offer most big-Volvo features in compact packages. Availability of all-wheel drive strengthens the attraction.
They may be a little too pricey and not quite sporty enough to snare the young driving enthusiasts Volvo targets. But the S40 sedan and V50 wagon are solid, capable, and--without the optional sport suspension/17-inch-tire combination--comfortable cars that offer most big-Volvo features in compact packages. Availability of all-wheel drive strengthens the attraction.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Volvo S40 T5, auto. Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 6 | |
| Fuel Economy | 5 | |
| Ride Quality | 7 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 6 | |
| Quietness | 6 | |
| Controls/Materials | 7 | |
| Interior Room | 7 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 4 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 3 | |
| Value within Class | 6 | |
| Total Score: | 57 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Volvo 40/50 series includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Volvo 40/50 series .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Air conditioner:
The climate control system may blow hot when cold is chosen or all the flaps may close of airflow due to a fault in the climate control module software, which must be recalibrated. (2006)
Audio system:
The audio system screen may freeze and there may be no sound from the speakers, but problems may clear when car is restarted, and flashing the control module eliminates the problem. (2004-05)
Battery:
The battery may go dead overnight if the "infotainment" system won't allow the central control module go to sleep mode. (2005-06)
Brake noise:
Noisy front brakes are corrected by installing a bigger caliper support that fits cars with 16-inch wheels, while rear brake noise is corrected with revised pads. (2004-05)
Electrical problem:
On a few cars, the harness connector inside the A-pillar can get wet and corrode, so a campaign was issued to pack the connector with grease or replace if it was corroded. (2004-05)
Keyless entry:
The keyless entry may work intermittently because a small screw in the unit works loose and parts fall out of place inside. (2004-06)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $1,650 |
| Alternator | $710 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $5,650 |
| Brakes | $520 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $830 |
| Exhaust System | $340 |
| Radiator | $340 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $990 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $1,250 |
Our price chart for this generation Volvo 40/50 series details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 2008 | |||
| S40 | $21,500-23,000 | $19,800-21,200 | $14,000-15,000 |
| S40 T5 | $23,500-25,500 | $21,600-23,500 | $15,300-16,600 |
| V50 | $22,200-23,800 | $20,400-21,900 | $14,400-15,500 |
| V50 T5 | $24,000-26,000 | $22,300-24,200 | $15,600-16,900 |
| 2007 | |||
| S40 | $17,800-19,300 | $16,400-17,800 | $11,400-12,400 |
| S40 T5 | $19,800-21,500 | $18,200-19,800 | $12,900-14,000 |
| V50 | $18,500-20,000 | $17,000-18,400 | $11,800-12,800 |
| V50 T5 | $20,000-22,000 | $18,400-20,200 | $13,000-14,300 |
| 2006 | |||
| S40 | $14,500-16,000 | $13,200-14,600 | $9,000-9,900 |
| S40 T5 | $16,400-18,200 | $14,900-16,600 | $10,500-11,600 |
| V50 | $15,000-16,300 | $13,700-14,800 | $9,500-10,300 |
| V50 T5 | $16,500-18,500 | $15,000-16,800 | $10,600-11,800 |
| 2005 | |||
| S40 | $12,000-13,300 | $10,800-12,000 | $6,700-7,400 |
| S40 T5 | $13,800-15,500 | $12,600-14,100 | $8,300-9,300 |
| V50 | $12,500-13,800 | $11,300-12,400 | $7,100-7,900 |
| V50 T5 | $14,200-16,000 | $12,900-14,600 | $8,700-9,800 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Volvo 40/50 series include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door sedan | 4-door wagon |
| Wheelbase, in. | 103.9 | 103.9 |
| Overall Length, in. | 175.9 | 177.7 |
| Overall Width, in. | 69.7 | 69.7 |
| Overall Height, in. | 57.2 | 57.2 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3084 | 3269 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 14.3 | 62.7 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 16.3 | 15.9 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 38.9 | 38.9 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.6 | 41.6 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 37.2 | 38.1 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 34.4 | 34.4 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Both S40 and V50 use 5-cylinder engines. Base 2.4i models have a 168-hp 2.4-liter, and T5s have a turbocharged 218-hp 2.5-liter. Manual transmission is standard, a 5-speed on 2.4i, a 6-speed on T5. A 5-speed automatic with manual shift gate is optional on all.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| dohc I5 | 2.4 / 149 | 168 | 170 | 5-speed manual: 22/29 5-speed automatic: 22/30 |
5-speed manual: -- 5-speed automatic: -- |
| Turbocharged dohc I5 | 2.5 / 154 | 218 | 236 | 6-speed manual: 21/29 5-speed automatic: 21/29 |
6-speed manual: 20.3 5-speed automatic: 20.6 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Belgium
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front- or all-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Volvo 40/50 series include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 2006 S40 4-door sedan w/side airbags |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 4 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 5 |
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%. Sideimpact 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%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 2005-2008 Volvo S40/V50 directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
2004-2006 S40 and V50:
This recall applies to vehicles sold in or currently registered in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. When exposed to salty-wet conditions, the pump electronic module (PEM) may corrode internally, causing a faulty signal to be sent to the fuel pump, resulting in Check Engine light illumination, engine-start failure or stalling. Dealers will replace the PEM and install it in a new location to prevent corrosion.
2005-06 S40 and V50:
The fuel line tube on some T5 models may leak in the area near the exhaust manifold, which could cause a fire. Dealer will change the fuel line material to Teflon from polyamide.
2007 S40 and V50:
An internal leak in the brake system is possible, due to prematurely-worn components, increasing brake-pedal effort significantly. Deterioration can eventually result in complete loss of brake-system functionality. Dealers will inspect the master cylinder. The brake master cylinder and brake fluid reservoir will be replaced and certain brake lines cleaned.
2008 V50 with roof rails:
The bolts on the roof rail may come loose during heavy braking or sudden stops when carrying roof cargo. Dealers will replace the roof rail bolts.
2008-09 S40 and V50:
The power steering return hose may rupture. This will result a complete loss of power assistance, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will inspect and replace the steering return line hose assembly.
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