Used Volvo S40 saloon 2004 - 2012 review

What's the used Volvo S40 like?

As a replacement for the original Volvo S40, the 2004 version was very much more modern, abandoning that car’s dated platform (which was shared with Mitsubishi) in favour of the one from the contemporary Ford Focus.

The S40 isn’t quite as sharp to drive as the Ford, but it still handles well and the ride is firm but controlled.

Overview

A stylish and safe choice, but it’s rather small compared with BMW and Audi rivals.

Pros

• Smart looks
• Impressive safety
• Classy interior

Cons

• Cramped inside
• Some electronic issues
• Firm ride

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Volvo S40

2.0 Sport 4dr

£950

Volvo S40

1.6 S 4dr

£990

Volvo S40

2.0 S 4dr

£999

Volvo S40

1.8 SE 4dr

£1,480

Volvo S40

1.6 S Euro 4 4dr

£1,490

Volvo S40

1.6D DRIVe SE Lux Edition Euro 5 (s/s) 4dr

£1,495

Volvo S40

2.4i S Geartronic 4dr

£1,590

Volvo S40

1.6D DRIVe SE Euro 4 (s/s) 4dr

£1,695

Volvo S40

2.4 D5 SE Geartronic 4dr

£1,699

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Perhaps the best thing about the S40, though, is its ‘floating’ dashboard. This takes its name from the slim centre console, which is attached at the top and bottom, but is otherwise free standing, a design that has barely aged to this day.

The front seats are very comfortable, too, but the S40 is quite cramped; to improve crash protection, Volvo decided to move the front firewall back compared with its position in the Focus, and thereby compromised leg room. However, the S40 is one of the safest cars of its kind as a result.

Ownership cost

What used Volvo S40 will I get for my budget?

Early S40s can be had for as little as £1000, but beware – these will probably need the expensive diesel particulate filter service, or will have either the un-loved 1.8 Flexi-Fuel engine or the underpowered 1.6 petrol.

Better quality diesels start at £2500, while a 2008 2.0-litre diesel with the desirable R-Design body kit will set you back closer to £3000. Late-model 2012 1.6 D2 DRIVe cars still command close to £7000.

Our recommendations

Which used Volvo S40 should I buy?

You’re best off buying a late-model, post-2007 facelift car. Not only did that bring with it some interesting interior finishes (including an attractive ‘unfinished’ wood trim), it also tidied up the exterior styling and saw falls in CO2 emissions and fuel consumption.

Those buying with economy in mind should seek out a 1.6-litre D2 diesel in DRIVe trim, which added engine stop-start technology and some aerodynamic tweaks to score sub-120g/km emissions and the potential for 60mpg.

The best overall version, though, is the 147bhp 2.0-litre, five-cylinder D3 150hp diesel, which has impressive performance and still-reasonable emissions and consumption. On top of which, this Volvo-designed engine is generally more reliable than the Ford-sourced 1.6.

Our favourite used Volvo S40: 2.0 D3 SE Lux

Alternatives

What alternatives should I consider to a used Volvo S40?

In terms of size, the S40 competed with the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series, neither of which were available as four-door saloons (and conversely, the S40 was never made available as a five-door hatchback). You could make the case that the Volvo’s four-door body is more desirable, but the Audi and BMW are both more practical

Theoretically, the second-generation Ford Focus, which uses the same mechanicals (and which borrowed the sporty T5 S40’s 2.5-litre 212bhp turbo engine for the ST model) could be thought of as a more affordable competitor, but it’s less ‘premium’ in look and feel.

Saab’s 9-3 saloon was always slightly bigger than the S40, but was priced at a comparable level at the time, and offers a similar safety-led Scandinavian approach. It wasn’t available with a 1.6-litre diesel engine, though, and is more expensive to run.

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