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Volvo S40 (2004 - )  
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Volvo S40 (2004 - )

Comfortable, safe and enjoyable. Good looks, backed up by a decnt drive.
Distracting reflections from dashboard and instruments. Floating dash panel doesn't suit everyone. Expensive problems with diesel more than 3 years old.

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Introduction

Wow! It's not often I get to test a new car and it turns out to exceed all expectations. Okay, just about anything would have been better than the old Mitsubishi Carisma based S40. And the Mazda 3 had already given a foretaste of what to expect in the chassis department. If the new S40 had been just a little bit better than the Mazda 3 it would have been fine.

Instead, it's close to sensational.

The signs for this particular launch were not good. Our plane suffered a bird in the engine while landing to pick us up, so we had to wait hours for a replacement plane. Then, on the main drive in Andalusia, it rained gatos y peros. And, even though we were in Spain, there was a shortage of Manuels, so we had no choice but to drive automatics. The rain didn't stop all day. So, sorry folks, apart from the headlight and the key picture I've had to use stock shots.

But the conditions were actually a better test of the car than bright sunlight and bone-dry roads. And both the 170bhp 2.4i and 220bhp T5 automatics behaved impeccably.

Next: What's Good »

Last updated 27 January 2012
More at the Volvo website  

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    Also Consider

    • Honda Accord 2003
      Good Japanese build quality, all chain-cam engines.
    • SAAB 9-3 2002
      Excellent ride comfort and predictable handling. Cabin feels solid. Fantastic seats. Well equipped for safety and comfort.
    • Mazda 3 2004
      Focus based. Bags of room and a comfortable ride, well equipped, saloon is the best looker and sharpest handling, depreciates slower than the 2004 Focus.
    • Volvo V50 2004
      Classy-looking compact estate with very good ride comfort and tidy handling. A fine long-distance cruiser. The UK's most popular Volvo.

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