Car Gazing
Compact Volvo offers Swedish experience at reasonable price
By Derek Price
At the grocery store, you don't have to buy giant packages to experience the
full taste of your favorite foods. That's why there are pint-size cartons of
ice cream, little bottles of soda pop, and tiny cans of soup.
Volvo follows this philosophy by cramming its big-car attributes in a small,
attractively priced package called the S40. It has a solid driving feel,
premium materials, and ample safety features – just like Volvo's big
sedans, except for the mini-sized price. It starts around $24,000,
significantly less than a base S60 sedan.
Volvo is known first and foremost for its attention to safety, and the S40
doesn't skimp, including standard features like side impact and side
curtain air bags, and dual-stage front air bags for both the driver and
passenger. It also has a built-in whiplash protection system and "passenger
safety cage" built into the body.
But the most important safety feature of any car is its ability to avoid
wrecks altogether with excellent performance and controllability, something
the S40 does well. In addition to terrific antilock disc brakes at all four
wheels, it has a potent, turbocharged four-cylinder engine that feels more
like a V6.
It lacks power when you first step on the accelerator, but there are no
other complaints about this solid, smooth powerplant. It makes 170
horsepower – 10 more than last year's model – after the turbocharger kicks
in to bring surprisingly brisk acceleration for such a heavy car (it weighs
nearly 2,800 pounds).
Power is routed through a standard automatic five-speed transmission that
executes impressively smooth shifts for the S40's price range. Like in many
high-end European sedans, the transmission tailors its shifts based on
driving style, meaning aggressive driving brings quick shifts, and laid-back
cruises yield perfectly smooth gear changes.
The biggest disappointment in the S40 is its suspension, which feels fairly
firm but allows too much body roll for such a sporty, stiff ride. Either its
suspension should be tuned for better performance and less body roll, or the
ride should be softened to give it a more luxurious, compliant feel.
That's not to say it's uncomfortable. It's just suffering from a minor
identity crisis that mars an otherwise well-refined vehicle.
Inside, this miniature Volvo clearly leans toward the luxurious spectrum.
Standard features include an eight-way adjustable driver's seat, automatic
climate control, heated mirrors, cruise control, CD/tape player, folding
rear seats, air filter, and keyless entry. Fancier packages can add leather
seats, a power moonroof, trip computer, and upgraded speakers, but the added
cost moves the S40's price closer to S60 territory.
Despite being the smallest in Volvo's lineup, the S40 has enough space to be
comfortable for highway trips – even in the back seat. Its high-quality
interior materials and splendidly arranged controls are especially
impressive given its bargain price.
Styling is something Volvo isn't known for, although that perception has
improved in recent years with the introduction of redesigned S60 and S80
sedans. Nonetheless, S40's styling is bland but attractive, drawing the same
mild attention as an average family sedan from Japan or Detroit.
But average, it's not. It combines the best of Volvo's engineering and
Swedish feel in a more affordable package – and that makes it quite
extraordinary.
(Derek Price is a newspaper editor and freelance writer living in Texas.
Contact him at dprice@cargazingonline.com)
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