MSRP: $28,550 - $33,800
Invoice: $26,837 - $31,772
MPG: 20 City / 31 Hwy
Get local dealer price quotes:

U.S.News Scores

Overall:7.9
Performance:7.6
Exterior:8.3
Interior:7.7
Safety:9.4
Reliability:6.0
Research we analyzed for this review
Pros and Cons
  • Creative safety features
  • Elegant exterior and interior design
  • Secure feeling all-wheel drive
  • Not as sporty as many in its class
  • Limited options for storage
  • No manual transmission option

Prices

See what others recently paid in your area for the S40.

Shop around for the best deal by getting price quotes from local dealers.

Volvo S40 - What the Auto Press Says

The S40's design is appropriately quirky for the upscale market, and its safety features and scores are outstanding -- something that has become trademark to Volvos. However, the sedan is missing the fancy footwork and abundant power of the class' high scorers.

According to our analysis, the Volvo S40 doesn't woo drivers with sporty performance, utility or flashy design. But it does have enticing and elegant bodylines, cutting-edge safety features in line with Volvo's reputation, and a secure and solid feel on the road. On the heels of an extensive refresh, the 2009 S40 has fewer powertrain options (although popular with reviewers, the poor-selling manual transmission is now gone), more standard features, and a new T5 R-Design trim package with a modified exterior and interior design.

Newer reviews seem just as pleased as the previous ones with the S40's strong attributes, and just as forgiving of the car's weaker traits. But if you're looking for a more out of a luxury car, there are several cars with qualities the S40 lacks. For example, the new BMW 1-Series delivers one of the most satisfying drives of the class, and a smooth manual transmission for those who prefer to shift their own gears. If you need more storage options than the S40 provides, the award-winning Volkswagen GTI's abundant space might serve you better. 

If you're interested in the S40's dynamics at a fraction of the price, you should also check out the Mazda3, which has the trademark sportiness and zoom-zoom, as well as a striking exterior that belies its affordability.

  • "One of those cars that might not get an enthusiast's pulse racing but is still well worth considering. It has a crisp and sporting feel, excellent steering, good looks, a reputation for safety, and it brings the Volvo brand to a younger, less affluent (and probably hipper) customer." -- Car and Driver
  • "The S40 and V50 may not sell themselves to enthusiast drivers based solely on the way they carve corners and dust the quarter mile; but neither should their dynamics deter the hip, IKEA-loyal, young prospective buyers lured by their now even better-looking exterior styling and unmistakably Scandinavian interiors." -- Motor Trend
  • "The 2009 Volvo S40 is a fantastic way to enjoy the perks of owning a premium-brand automobile without having to pay a premium price." -- Kelley Blue Book
  • "A quick, compact four-door sedan you can get with both all-wheel drive and a stick shift. It's a genuine rival to all-wheel-drive versions of German sedans much prized by driving enthusiasts. -- BusinessWeek

S40 Performance - 7.6 (Good)

The 2009 Volvo S40's performance is competent, but not sporty. As such, many test drivers report the base trim should be sufficient. Car and Driver writes that the S40 is "pleasing rather than exciting, with decent steering and willing engines, but no manual makes it even less fun." The biggest change for the 2009 model is the discontinuation of the manual transmission in favor of just the five-speed Geartronic automatic. Read More

S40 Exterior - 8.3 (Very Good)

The 2009 Volvo S40 has an exterior that's smooth and sleek. Kelley Blue Book says, "The 2009 Volvo S40's design evolves from the more rounded shape that now defines Volvo cars." During the most recent redesign Volvo streamlined both the S40's and the VolvoV50's sheetmetal to resemble the larger S80. Read More

S40 Interior - 7.7 (Good)

You'll enjoy the simple modernity and level of quality inside the 2009 S40 more than you'll be disappointed with the lack of space for cargo or rear passengers.  As Automobile Magazine says, "the S40's interior is its best selling point." Read More

S40 Safety - 9.4 (Excellent)

Staying true to Volvo's trademark for safe vehicles, the 2009 S40 does well in federal government and insurance industry crash tests. Standard safety features include anti-lock brakes, traction control and an anti-skid system. Volvo's Blind Spot Information System is optional. Read More

S40 Reliability - 6.0 (Mediocre)

The 2009 Volvo S40 reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The 2009 Volvo S40 has a basic warranty for the first four years or 50,000 miles. Read More

Review Last Updated: 8/20/09