2008 Volvo S40

(*est. $24,365 to $30,365)

Pros

Top-tier features
Value
Safety features
Enjoyable ride

Cons

Lower ride quality with all-wheel-drive and Sport trims
Reliability history
Too tight to realistically carry five adults

Our Analysis

Critics note some dissatisfaction with the Volvo S40's reliability history. A number of test drivers indicate that the all-wheel-drive option and the Sport package compromise ride quality. The Sport package, in fact, is blamed for diminishing comfort while offering almost no discernible increase in handling. Acceleration in the base car is somewhat feeble, but enthusiasts may be disappointed that the more powerful T5 can't be optioned with a manual transmission. Narrow door thresholds and a tight rear seat make transporting five adults difficult, if not impossible. Although many sources consider the Volvo S40 a good value in many respects, the price can soar with added options, and resale tends to be below average compared with perennial winners such as the Honda Accord (*est. $20,360 to $28,060).

The most up-to-date and credible reviews for the Volvo 2008 S40 sedan can be found at Consumer Reports magazine and ConsumerGuide.com, where editors test vehicles frequently and rank them against individual competitors or against an average score for the segment, respectively. Motor Trend magazine and Edmunds.com offer reviews as well. The S40 receives recognition from Cars.com, where it's named a 2008 "Best Bet," and reviewer Kevin Ransom from AOL Autos picks this year's S40 as one of his "Great Sedans for 25K." Car and Driver magazine publishes a current but very brief capsule-style review of the 2008 S40 as well.

Reviewers approve of the Volvo S40's level of interior refinement and its visual style, which distances it from the boxy, unattractive Volvos of the past. The base model provides a compliant ride, and handling on both trims is reassuringly predictable. Volvo has a long reputation for safety engineering, and the Volvo S40 is one of only a handful of 2008 vehicles to earn the highest rating for both cloth- and leather-upholstered head restraints in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rear-impact crash testing.

Where To Buy

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2008 Volvo S40

Our Sources

1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

The editors of Consumer Reports test the 2008 Volvo S40 along with virtually every other family sedan available. Consumer Reports provides one-of-a-kind documentation on predicted reliability, which is based on past-model-year data from owner surveys.

Review: 2008 Volvo S40 Review, Editors of Consumer Reports

2. ConsumerGuide.com

Based on its tests, ConsumerGuide.com ranks cars against a class average. The 2008 Volvo S40's overall score is a bit below the average for the premium compact segment; editors say that younger buyers may find that the S40 offers too little sporting flair for more money than they're willing to spend.

Review: 2008 Volvo S40, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com, Sept. 18, 2008

3. Motor Trend Details/Subscribe

Motor Trend's process for awarding its Car of the Year honor starts with thorough testing of each new and significantly redesigned car introduced in a given model year. Judges express enthusiasm for the then-new 2005 Volvo S40's standard features, as well as for Volvo's safety reputation.

Review: 2005 Motor Trend Car of the Year Testing, Editors of Motor Trend

4. Edmunds.com

Edmunds.com editors consider the S40 a viable choice for shoppers who might be looking for premium feel at an affordable price. Although this summary doesn't include the results of any official head-to-head assessment, the Volvo S40 is compared with its rivals in an informal way.

Review: 2008 Volvo S40 Review, Editors of Edmunds.com

5. Cars.com

Cars.com selects its annual "Best Bets" based on issues such as safety, practicality, comfort and performance. The reviews in this lengthy list aren't very detailed or comparative, but they do offer a balanced look at the field.

Review: New Best Bets, Editors of Cars.com

6. Car and Driver Details/Subscribe

Car and Driver offers a neat summary of the Volvo S40 in this brief capsule review. Editors also assign scores measuring the Volvo S40's appeal both to car enthusiasts and to the broader consumer market.

Review: 2008 Volvo S40, Editors of Cars.com

7. AOL Autos

This article proves a helpful resource for bargain hunters hoping to find more amenities at a budget-friendly price. The Volvo S40 is one of two 2008 models included. Ransom says its generous list of high-end standard features give even the base model a relatively luxurious ride.

Review: Great Sedans for $25K, Kevin Ransom

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