Teresa’s View
These days the family tree of a given car can be just as convoluted as that of any modern American. The Volvo S40 is a perfect example. When it was first introduced in 2000, the S40, made by Swedish company Volvo, which is owned by American manufacturer Ford, sported mechanical parts from Ford’s Japanese affiliate Mitsubishi. The new S40 is a combination of Volvo, Ford and Mazda, another member of the Ford extended family.
Volvo recast the S40 from the ground up to appeal to younger buyers. For Volvo, younger means 30- to 35-year-olds, which says a bit about the age of the typical Volvo driver. The new S40 is sportier than the version it replaces. Although it’s shorter overall, the car is wider and taller for increased interior space. In fact, I found the S40 quite roomy.
Volvo’s mantra of safety and performance is evident throughout the S40. Anti-lock brakes, side airbags for front-seat occupants, side curtain airbags, traction control and anti-whiplash front seats are standard safety gear.
While it’s not an Audi or BMW, it’s fun. Shifts are short and sweet, handling is crisp, but not wicked, and acceleration is swift — and that’s the base 2.4i. The turbocharged T5 with its 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder power plant is said to scoot 0-to-60 in 6.7 seconds with the automatic transmission.
Inside, the S40 is subdued in that German way. Like its Teutonic competitors, the cabin materials have a pleasant, high-quality feel to them. The most amazing aspect of the S40 is gadget central. Rather than base the instrument controls on computer architecture, the S40 engineers went in a completely different direction, designing the dash to resemble a television remote control. Flanked by four large knobs that control the basic functions for the audio and climate control system, the layout is a wonder of simplicity and utility. Handsomely housed on a thin slice of aluminum, the sleek center stack hides an extra storage shelf.
What Is It?: The S40 is an entry-level, near-luxury compact from Volvo. Offered as either a sedan or the yet to be released V50 wagon, prices start at $24K for the 2.4-liter “i.” A turbocharged T5 sells for $27K. An all-wheel drive version also is available.
Gadget Rating: 8 out of 10. To the lengthy standard equipment list, the T5 adds leather upholstery, a sunroof, my beloved heated seats, a navigation system and a lovely appearance package that should appeal to “younger” Volvo buyers.
The Back Seat: This week’s back-seat testers are my parents, who spent the week with me recently. My 6-foot father could have used a bit more legroom; my mom, who, at barely 5 feet, had room, but felt she was sitting too low to easily get in and out with some semblance of dignity.
Trivia: Volvo began selling cars in the United States in 1955.