Getting firsthand information from an actual car owner is one sure way to get an idea of car performance once it leaves the lot. Autobytel features real consumer reviews that give the unbiased experience of a car.
Pros: Quiet ride, seats, paint, trip computer
Cons: Rear seat is small as well as trunk opening
Advice: Buy it loaded with options, unless you need more rear seat room
This is my 4th volvo. Previously owned 1991 740, 1994 940 and 1999 S70. This is the best one yet. Actual MPG is 26 City, 36 Highway. Seats are supportive and very comfortable. The car now has 7200 miles and never had a problem. It has the Premium Plus Sport Package which is very comprehensive. Driveability is excellent, with great visibility, low noise level,responsive handling ,and plenty of power. Body fit and finish is excellent with Volvo's great paint job. The radio/CD player and tape deck are easy to use and have wonderful sound. Everyone who rides in it are amazed at how smoothly and quietly it drives. No car can beat Volvo's leather seats for comfort and support. The only after market item I added was a radar dector with a compass.Pros: The handling, and the comfort.
Cons: 15' tires the only size option
Advice: Get all options available, the car is great!
DON’T get a Volts. Jetta, they have so many problems. I have three friends that have gotten Jetta's in the past year and they all have had window problems and two have had transmission problems. The S40 drives great! I got every option available. I did research and test drove many other cars. The Audi A4 was the only other one I seriously considered, but the S40 did beat it. You get much more for you money with the Volvo S40. The 2.0T with the Audi A4 does not even come with real leather. The S40 is a GREAT car!Pros: Quality
Cons: Non color coated door handles
Advice: Its a great car, get one!
Car drives great (like a BMW and other high end car)Pros: Seats
Cons: back row seats
Advice: get the sport premium package
Great car! It handles very well and accelerates as though it was much stronger than 160 hps... Wonderful seats and ergonomics.Pros: My favorite feature is the way it handles.
Cons: Getting used to the controls on the dash was a little confusing at first.
Advice: Be sure to test drive this car. You won't be sorry!
The S40 is very comfortable and easy to handle. It is very responsive and the turbo gives it the extra boost needed in traffic. The interior is very quiet. It is a little stiff compared to some American cars, but I did not find this uncomfortable in any way.Pros: Good performance, excellent highway gas mileage
Cons: Ride a little stiff for most Americans
Advice: Purchase the DSA--to enhance the safety of an already very safe vehicle.
Pro: --Top-notch (four-wheel disc) brakes and stopping distances, the greatest safety feature of all. --Excellent turbo engine, with a torque peak at 1800 RPM. This means one can have sprightly performance without a lot of engine RPM and noise. --Five-speed adaptive automatic transmission, still not a common feature of cars in this class. --Excellent highway gas mileage, often exceeding 30 MPG (at average speeds of about 65 MPH); this is a result of the five-speed automatic and an engine that does not require high RPM's for good highway performance. --Quiet cabin, thanks again to the five-speed transmission and an engine that performs well at low RPM's. --Spacious trunk, along with the capability to fold down the rear seats. Trunk struts are separate from the luggage space, meaning one never has to worry about damaging or impacting the contents when closing the trunk. Cons: --A slightly stiff ride, particularly for most Americans. --Given the stiff ride, not particularly sparkling handling (but it is intended as a family sedan, not a GT or sports car). --Limited back seat space. --A.C. marginal at temperatures above the low 90's. --No manual transmission available, but I've found the five-speed automatic so capable that I really don't miss the manual anymore. Can be a pro or con: style of the car is rather mundane, meaning it blends in with the crowd even though it is not a very common car.Pros: 5 speed automatic 4cyl.
Cons: Bumps in the road are very noticable
Advice: Definately a Volvo. No pretense. Total Class.
I just got my S40 in Feb. 2002 and absolutely love it. I live in the city and it is a dream to park and handles the quick stops with ease. The 4cyl turbo saves fuel, yet does not sacrafice power on the freeway.