Volvo S40

Our verdict

The Volvo S40 is pleasant enough saloon, but we’re struggling to see where it fits in.

Comfort

Volvo always does brilliant seats and the ride comfort and refinement aren't bad either. But this is a smallish car and it's not very roomy in the back.

Performance

 The engines are shared with the C30. There's a bewildering range of eight, including one that'll take E85 bioethanol mix. The four-cylinder petrols are unexciting, and then there's a gap to the superb T5, which is a fine-sounding engine and kicks you to 60mph in little over 6sec without being mad on the CO2 scale. The diesels are a bit noisy: among them the 1.6 is weedy but the 2.0 is OK and the D5 muscular but too heavy.

Cool

Small saloons aren't really cool unless they have colossal amounts of power. No dice for the S40 then. The cabin is actually cool, but no-one except the owner sees it.

Quality

The S40 has another example of Volvo's tasteful, individual, minimalist and modern interiors, so we like it.

Handling

The S40 isn't a car you have fun in. It feels bigger than it is, with a slightly lazy response to inputs that makes it relaxing rather than exciting.

Practicality

The saloon S40 naturally loses out to the V50 for versatility, but Volvo is great at practical touches for the driver like excellent ergonomics. It's a very easy car to use, even though the electrical gadgets are quite extensive.

Running costs

It's pretty much middle of the pack, depending on where you choose between the pedestrian base 1.6 diesel and the tyre-shredding, high-insurance, thirsty T5. The Flexifuel option has advantages if you live near the right pump.