2004 Volvo S40 Review

Volvo started out in America in the 1950s as a sporty, practical two-door coupe with a floor shifter that actually won sports car races. But the rugged car became stodgy by the 1970s and carried much higher prices.

Volvo finally got rid of the car's boxy shape in the 1990s and gave its cars more power, although the high prices remained. It thus introduced the now-old S40 sedan and V40 station wagon in 2000 for approximately $24,000, when other Volvos started at $27,500 and shot to $46,500.

The new smaller models were decent cars aimed at younger drivers, but never really caught on. Volvo thus is giving the entry market for its cars another shot with the new, considerably better 2004.5 S40, which is the automaker's smallest sedan.

The new model is aimed at younger (30-35-year-old) drivers, but might not be quite sporty enough to attract such drivers from sportier models made by automakers such as Audi, Acura and BMW -- or even Volkswagen and Ford.

The new Volvo is about 1.9 inches shorter overall than its predecessor at 175.9 inches, but has a wheelbase (distance between axles) that's 3.1 inches longer at 103.9 inches. It's also 2.1 inches wider and 1.7 inches taller, with shorter body overhangs and a roomier cabin. Weight is up several hundred pounds.

The new front-drive S40 sedan goes on sale this month and arrives in similar V50 station wagon form in July. It shares a new, Volvo-designed platform with its parent Ford Motor Co.'s European Focus and Japanese affiliate Mazda, which uses it for the new Mazda 3 model.

That's the way the auto world is going, with lots of sharing of platforms and other components to hold costs down. Still, the 2004.5 S40 sedan I tested feels more like a Volvo than its predecessor, which had Mitsubishi underpinnings. It feels more solid and looks much like a smaller, truncated version of the midsize S60 Volvo. The interior looks very businesslike, with few frills.

The base S40 has a $24,190 list price and comes with a 2.4-liter, 168-horsepower inline five-cylinder engine. The higher-line hot rod T5 version stickers at $26,990 and has a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder motor with 218 horsepower.

The S40 sedan now comes only with a five-speed automatic transmission. But the sedan will be offered in a few months with a five- and six-speed manual transmissions. Volvo spokesman Dan Johnston said they'll lower the price of both versions of the sedan by about $1,200.

The new station wagon version will be called the V50 and initially will come only with the hot T5 turbo engine, five-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, which also will be offered for the T5 sedan. The wagon will be available with the base engine and front-drive in the fall.

Whew! Can't tell the players without a scorecard, so to speak, even when it comes to an entry level model these days.

I tested the T5 sedan, which naturally is faster than the 168-horsepower version, which should have at least reasonably good acceleration. The T5 engine has enough juice to propel the T5 from 0-60 mph in a quick 6.7 seconds with the automatic transmission -- or in 6.3 seconds with the manual gearbox.

Volvo is emphasizing safety as much as performance with the new S40. The sedan and upcoming wagon have anti-lock disc brakes, front side airbags, head-protecting curtain side air bags and traction control. The body has been designed to have outstanding crashworthiness.

The sedan has lots of comfort and convenience items, from air conditioning to keyless entry. The T5 adds such items as a firmer suspension and automatic climate control.

Options include a sunroof, leather upholstery, heated seats, navigation system, antiskid system and appearance packages.

The quiet interior contains enough room for four 6-footers. There's good room up front in supportive seats, but rear leg room is tight for a tall occupant behind a driver who moves his seat back halfway.

Gauges can be easily read, and most controls are nicely sized. Dual cupholders in the console are positioned to prevent spills, but the console storage bin doesn't hold much.

The quick steering is rather heavy, but not objectionably so, and provides good road feel. Handling is good, although the standard sedan won't handle as sharply as the T5, which has a stiffer suspension to accompany its higher horsepower. The ride is firm, allowing major road imperfections to be felt, but generally is comfortable. The brakes are strong, but the pedal has a spongy feel; at least it has a progressive action.

The sedan's large trunk has a low, wide opening. Cargo capacity can be greatly increased by folding the rear seatbacks forward -- or by folding the entire seat forward.

In the end, the new S40 sedan is a good blend of sportiness, practicality and safety.

2004.5 VOLVO S40

Prices
$24,190-$26,990

Likes
Nicely redesigned. Fairly roomy. Solid. Fast T5 version. Good roadability.

Dislikes
Rather stark interior. Tight legroom behind tall driver. Spongy brake pedal.