2006 Volvo S40 Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Volvo's entry-level line is comprised of the compact S40 sedan and V50 wagon. The S40 offers base 2.4i and sporty T5 models each with a 5-cyl engines. 2.4i models are front-wheel drive and have 168 hp. T5s offer front-or all-wheel drive, are turbocharged, and have 218 hp. The S40 2.4i is available with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed automatic with manual shift gate. T5s offer a 6-speed manual transmission or the 5-speed automatic. Standard are antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, and traction control. AWD versions come with a sport suspension that is optional on other models. Other options include an antiskid system, 17-inch wheels vs. standard 16s, navigation system with pop-up dashboard screen, and an in-dash CD changer. Leather upholstery, sunroof, and heated seats are also available.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Premium Compact Cars are similar in size but more expensive than Compact Cars. Premium Compacts have more standard equipment and an upscale image when compared to Compact Cars.

Our Best Buys in the Premium Compact Car class are Acura TSX, Audi A4, and BMW 3-Series. At this time we have no Recommended picks.

New or significantly redesigned models in this class include Audi A3 and Lexus IS.

2006 Volvo S40 Road Test

Pros	Cons

Ride/handling	Acceleration (2.4i)

Quietness

Build quality

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

S40 2.4i, man.	S40 T5 w/Sport Pkg., man.	S40 T5, auto.	Class Average
5	7	6	6.2

Volvo says S40 2.4i does 7.7 sec 0-60 mph with manual transmission, 8.4 with automatic. Pickup is unimpressive, even with manual, especially up long grades. T5s feel snappy, are mostly free of irksome turbo-induced throttle lag. Test manual-transmission S40 T5 did 6.9 sec 0-60. Manual shift slick, precise. Automatic generally smooth, responsive.

Fuel Economy

S40 2.4i, man.	S40 T5 w/Sport Pkg., man.	S40 T5, auto.	Class Average
6	5	5	5.4

No opportunity yet to measure with 2.4i versions. Test S40 T5s averaged 20.3 mpg with manual transmission, 20.6 with automatic. Volvo recommends premium-grade fuel for both engines.

Ride Quality

S40 2.4i, man.	S40 T5 w/Sport Pkg., man.	S40 T5, auto.	Class Average
7	6	7	5.9

All models firm, but base-suspension versions comfortably compliant on most surfaces. Taut sport suspension, standard with AWD and part of Sport Package option, triggers abrupt vertical motions on bumps; in combination with low-profile 17-inch tires, makes for uncomfortably stiff ride.

Steering/Handling/Braking

S40 2.4i, man.	S40 T5 w/Sport Pkg., man.	S40 T5, auto.	Class Average
6	7	6	7.2

Assured, nimble, if not quite sport sedan tenacious. Steering accurate, furnishes good road communication, but some testers say it feels overassisted. Tight turning circle for good low-speed maneuverability. Brakes erase speed quickly with fine stability, moderate nosedive.

Quietness

S40 2.4i, man.	S40 T5 w/Sport Pkg., man.	S40 T5, auto.	Class Average
6	5	6	6.1

These 5-cyl engines lack 6-cyl smoothness, but aren't noisy except for intrusive thrum at high rpm. Wind noise modest. Little road ruckus from 16-inch tires except on very coarse pavement; 17s rumble on all but smooth surfaces. Test AWD V50 had annoying drumming resonance from cargo area at highway speeds.

Controls

S40 2.4i, man.	S40 T5 w/Sport Pkg., man.	S40 T5, auto.	Class Average
7	7	7	7

Mostly user-friendly design: Ultrathin center stack houses audio, climate controls, which some testers say takes time to sort out. Windshield-wiper stalk interferes with easy access to dashboard-mounted ignition switch. Cabin design sleek, modern. Materials of high quality. Some testers noted a persistent squeak from the driver seat in one test AWD V50.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

S40 2.4i, man.	S40 T5 w/Sport Pkg., man.	S40 T5, auto.	Class Average
7	7	7	6.5

Interior width not abundant, but there's adult-size head and leg room on supportive, well-shaped seats. Standard tilt/telescope steering wheel, available power seat let most drivers get comfortably situated. Visibility good except to right-rear in sedan, where head restraints and high deck interfere some.

Room/Comfort (rear)

S40 2.4i, man.	S40 T5 w/Sport Pkg., man.	S40 T5, auto.	Class Average
4	4	4	3.6

Two adults get decent head and elbow room. Knee space tight if front seats more than halfway aft, but generous toe room offsets crowding. Seat short on thigh support. Narrow door thresholds impede entry/exit.

Cargo Room

S40 2.4i, man.	S40 T5 w/Sport Pkg., man.	S40 T5, auto.	Class Average
3	3	3	4.7

Fine trunk room for compact sedan abetted by standard fold-down rear seats, but volume not huge by absolute standards and aperture won't swallow really big cargo. Interior storage subpar.

Value within Class

S40 2.4i, man.	S40 T5 w/Sport Pkg., man.	S40 T5, auto.	Class Average
5	5	6	6.1

S40 may be a little too pricey and not quite sporty enough to snare the young driving enthusiasts Volvo targets. But the sedan is a solid, capable, and--without the optional sport suspension/17-inch-tire combination--comfortable car that offers most big-Volvo features in compact packages. Availability of all-wheel drive strengthens the attraction.

Total Score

S40 2.4i, man.	S40 T5 w/Sport Pkg., man.	S40 T5, auto.	Class Average
56	56	57	58.7

Scores for all Premium Compact Cars

Low Score		52
Average Score		58
High Score		65

2006 Volvo S40 Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 06/13/2006

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

S40 2.4i 4-door sedan	$23,755	$22,365	$695

S40 T5 4-door sedan	$26,615	$25,053	$695

AWD S40 T5 4-door sedan	$28,390	$26,722	$695

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

2.4i

Powertrain

2.4-liter 5-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission, traction control.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, front-seat active head restraints, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, brake assist, daytime running lights, emergency inside trunklid release.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, interior air filter, power steering, tilt/telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, driver-seat lumbar adjustment, fold-flat passenger seat, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, trunk pass-through, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, outside-temperature indicator, intermittent wipers, map lights, illuminated visor mirrors, rear defogger, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, rear fog light, 205/55R16 tires, alloy wheels.

T5 adds to 2.4i:

Powertrain

2.5-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder engine, 6-speed manual transmission.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Automatic climate control, 8-way power driver seat, aluminum interior trim, trip computer.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Front fog lights, AWD adds: all-wheel drive, sport suspension.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Premium Pkg.
T5	$3,000	$2,580
Power sunroof, leather upholstery, power passenger seat, driver-seat memory.

Select Pkg.
2.4i	$3,210	$2,759
2.4i w/Sport Pkg.	$3,083	$2,650
Power sunroof, 8-way power driver seat, AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, upgraded sound system, trip computer, woodgrain interior trim (deleted with Sport Pkg.).

Sport Pkg.
2.4i	$1,245	$919
FWD T5	$775	$666
Aluminum interior trim (2.4i), front fog lights (2.4i), sport suspension (2.4i), 205/50R17 tires, unique alloy wheels.

Dynamic Trim Pkg.
FWD T5	$2,025	$1,741
AWD T5	$1,895	$1,629
Body cladding, rear spoiler, sport suspension (FWD), 205/50R17 tires, unique alloy wheels.

Climate Pkg.
2.4i, T5	$1,025	$881
T5 w/bi-xenon	$762	$655
Heated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, headlight washers.

Convenience Pkg.
AWD T5	$425	$365
FWD T5	$550	$472
Universal garage-door opener, automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, grocery-bag holder.

Audio Pkg.
T5	$1,250	$1,074
AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, upgraded sound system.

Powertrain
5-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability
2.4i, T5	$1,200	$1,200


Safety
Antiskid system
2.4i, T5	$695	$597


Integrated child seats
2.4i, T5	$300	$258


Comfort and Convenience Features
Navigation system
T5	$2,120	$1,823


Leather upholstery
2.4i, T5	$1,200	$1,032


Interior air filter system
T5	$175	$150


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Bi-xenon headlights
T5	$700	$602
Includes headlight washers.

Special paint
2.4i, T5	$475	$408


Special silver paint
2.4i, T5	$625	$537


17-inch alloy wheels
AWD T5	$550	$473
Includes 205/50R17 tires.

2006 Volvo S40 Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Volvo S40 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	103.9

Overall Length, in.	175.9

Overall Width, in.	69.7

Overall Height, in.	57.2

Curb Weight, lbs.	3225

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	12.6

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	15.9

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	38.9

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.6

Rear Head Room, in.	37.2

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	34.4

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

Engines

	dohc I5	Turbocharged dohc I5

Size, liters/cu. in.	2.4 /149	2.5 /154

Horsepower @ rpm.	168 @ 6000	218 @ 5000

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	170 @ 4400	236 @ 1500

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	22/29	--/--

6-speed manual	--/--	22/32

5-speed automatic	22/30	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 S40 4-door sedan

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	5

Rollover Resistance	4

Side Impact, Driver	5

Side Impact, Rear 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%. 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	12/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: Belgium

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive

< 2006 Volvo S40 Photos

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