Used Volvo S40 saloon 2004 - 2012 review

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.