For The S40 is good to drive, with sharp handling and plenty of grip. The cabin is solid and stylish and all models are very well equipped.

Against Some models look pricey compared to mainstream rivals. The ride is firm, and rear-seat and boot space aren't generous.

Volvo S40 Saloon

What Car? says

3 out of 5 stars

A cracking medium-sized saloon that's comfortable and quiet; the centre console is a work of art.

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There are 17 Volvo S40 versions available

Volvo S40 Saloon 2.0 ES 4dr £18,245
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo S40 Saloon 2.0 SE 4dr £19,760
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo S40 Saloon 1.6 D2 ES 4dr £20,245
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo S40 Saloon 2.0 R-Design 4dr £20,260
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo S40 Saloon 1.6D DRIVe ES S/S 4dr £20,745
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo S40 Saloon 2.0 SE Lux 4dr £20,760
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo S40 Saloon 2.0 D3 ES 4dr £21,610
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo S40 Saloon 1.6 D2 R-Design 4dr £22,245
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo S40 Saloon 1.6D DRIVe SE S/S 4dr £22,245
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo S40 Saloon 1.6D DRIVe SE Lux S/S 4dr £23,245
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo S40 Saloon 2.0 D3 SE 4dr £23,360
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo S40 Saloon 2.0 D3 R-Design 4dr £23,860
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo S40 Saloon 2.0 D4 SE 4dr £24,110
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo S40 Saloon 2.0 D3 SE Lux 4dr £24,360
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo S40 Saloon 2.0 D4 R-Design 4dr £24,610
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo S40 Saloon 2.5 T5 R-Design auto 4dr £24,860
What Car? says:2 stars out of 5
Volvo S40 Saloon 2.0 D4 SE Lux 4dr £25,110
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
S40 Our pick

Volvo S40 Saloon 1.6D DRIVe ES S/S 4dr

The start/stop system helps make this model one of the greenest small family cars you can buy - and our favourite S40.

What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
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Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

What you may not realise, perhaps, is that the S40 is based on the same platform as the Ford Focus. On the positive side, that means you’ll have plenty of fun driving it, but at the same time, the S40 can look like a pretty expensive buy.

Resale values aren’t great, either, so the best way to avoid losing big bucks is to pay as little as you can when buying.

That means going for an entry-level trim and one of the smaller engines, but also getting as big a discount as you can. Our favourite is the 1.6D DRIVe model, with its engine tuned for economy and hybrid-rivalling sub-100g/km CO2 emissions.

Before you buy, make sure you check out the current promotions at volvocars.co.uk. You may find things such as free servicing or competitive finance offers.

Reader test team says:

Volvo S40 Saloon 1.6 R-Design 4dr

I have owned this car from new march 09 and before…

simon kirk

3 out of 5 stars

Volvo S40 Saloon 2.0D SE Sport 4dr

This is the first car that I have owned from new…

Graham Morecroft

4 out of 5 stars

Volvo S40 Saloon 2.0 R-Design Sport 4dr

This car is excellent to drive and I am not sure…

Neil Woods

4 out of 5 stars

Volvo S40 Saloon 2.0 Sport 4dr

Had the older shape (2005) - nice style, but a bit…

Angela Baines

2 out of 5 stars
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