2009 Volvo S40

Even in its T5 R-Design incarnation, the Volvo S40 can't compete with premium sports sedans like the BMW 3-Series, experts say. "It's pleasing rather than exciting, with decent steering and willing engines, but no manual (transmission) makes it even less fun," Car and Driver says of the S40.

Standard features are fairly abundant, reviewers say, including Bluetooth, a sunroof and a satellite/six-disc stereo. The Volvo S40 T5 R-Design trim adds a few additional niceties, such as heated front seats and automatic climate control, and it makes a navigation system available as an option. All-wheel drive costs $1,450 extra. As usual with Volvo, you can outfit your S40 with dozens of extra-cost accessories like booster seats, rear sun shades, a trailer hitch (the S40 can tow 2,000 pounds), an electric heated-and-cooled food and drink box for the trunk, a table for the backseat, a variety racks for bikes, skis and kayaks, plus more. Volvo covers the S40 with a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty.

Consumer Reports provides the most comprehensive look at the Volvo S40: Its editors test the S40 thoroughly, rate it against its peers and provide a narrative write-up describing the car's good and bad points. Reviews at Edmunds.com, ConsumerGuide.com and Car and Driver are also based on expert tests, but each write-up is less detailed than the last. Government and nonprofit websites -- the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and EPA -- are the best sources for hard data on safety and fuel economy. J.D. Power and Associates uses owner surveys to rank cars' initial quality and appeal, but we find this site's dependability rankings to be the most valuable.