Fantastic seats
It's Swedish, so you shouldn't expect any styling risks or colourful patterns inside. The ignition is placed high up on the dash, to the right of the steering wheel. I wonder how long that plastic key is going to last, but
anyway. There is a mix of curves and squared-off corners in the interior that try to mimic a modern approach as well as a retro, boxy-styled cabin.
The centre stack of the dash features controls that are bunched together in what looks like a DVD player remote. Unfortunately, the buttons are small and all look the same, so you'll be taking your eyes off the road to fiddle with the ventilation controls. At least there are rotary knobs to set the temperature and fan speed. The black-on-green display screen is difficult to read in bright sunlight. The 6-speaker sound system sounds great.
The seats are fantastic. The upholstery, called T-Tec, feels expensive and keeps you glued to the seat during sporty driving. This is one of the best seat materials I've sat on so far. The driving position is very good, and the clutch and shifter combo work well.
Rear-seat accommodations aren't as good as in front. It's alright for two occupants, but getting in and out through the narrow door openings is tough. Also, the doors don't open very wide, which doesn't help, either. Still, the seats are comfortable once you climb in. Trunk space is good, but the opening is small, so fitting in bigger objects is a challenge.
Conclusion
The base price for a Volvo S40 2.4i is $31,495, pretty steep for a car fitted with hubcaps, in my opinion. Adding the Sport package ($4,000), sunroof ($1,500) and Titanium Grey paint ($650) rise the as-tested price of this S40 2.4i to $37,645. Big bullies such as the Acura TSX ($35,900), the BMW 323i ($35,200) and the Lexus IS 250 ($36,300) are cracking their knuckles, just waiting to beat up the little Volvo.
Although the S40 is based on the same chassis as the Mazda3 and Ford Focus, about the only similarities you'll notice between them is their fun-to-drive quotient. This sedan has a few minor shortcomings, but in general, is a rewarding car to own.
What I like:
Beautiful, inside and out
Great seats
Good handling
What I don't like:
Pricey
Tight access to back seat
Could be quicker
CLICK HERE to view the 2006 Volvo S40's specifications.
It's Swedish, so you shouldn't expect any styling risks or colourful patterns inside. The ignition is placed high up on the dash, to the right of the steering wheel. I wonder how long that plastic key is going to last, but
 |
The centre stack of the dash features controls that are bunched together in what looks like a DVD player remote. Unfortunately, the buttons are small and all look the same, so you'll be taking your eyes off the road to fiddle with the ventilation controls. At least there are rotary knobs to set the temperature and fan speed. The black-on-green display screen is difficult to read in bright sunlight. The 6-speaker sound system sounds great.
The seats are fantastic. The upholstery, called T-Tec, feels expensive and keeps you glued to the seat during sporty driving. This is one of the best seat materials I've sat on so far. The driving position is very good, and the clutch and shifter combo work well.
Rear-seat accommodations aren't as good as in front. It's alright for two occupants, but getting in and out through the narrow door openings is tough. Also, the doors don't open very wide, which doesn't help, either. Still, the seats are comfortable once you climb in. Trunk space is good, but the opening is small, so fitting in bigger objects is a challenge.
Conclusion
 |
Although the S40 is based on the same chassis as the Mazda3 and Ford Focus, about the only similarities you'll notice between them is their fun-to-drive quotient. This sedan has a few minor shortcomings, but in general, is a rewarding car to own.
What I like:
Beautiful, inside and out
Great seats
Good handling
What I don't like:
Pricey
Tight access to back seat
Could be quicker
CLICK HERE to view the 2006 Volvo S40's specifications.
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