2003 New Car Review: Volvo V40 Wagon
SEE ALSO: Volvo Buyer's Guide
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS It's hard to believe, but Volvo's 40-series cars, the S40 sedan and V40 wagon, are now the Swedish automaker's oldest vehicles. Although they were introduced here in mid 1999, they debuted in Europe back in 1995. But Volvo has done a masterful job of keeping its smallest sedan and wagon up to date, with continuous improvements since its introduction. The 2003 S40 and V40 get 10 more horsepower from their turbocharged 1.9-liter engines, and freshened styling highlighted by a new grille, bumpers, and body trim. There are interior revisions and changes to some of the option packages as well. But the basic package is unchanged, and that's no problem at all. Volvo got it right the first time with its smallest cars, and the V40 in particular combines comfort, practicality, and sporty fun in a uniquely Volvo way. The ``V'' in V40 stands for ``versatility,'' and it's not mere marketing hype. Its five-passenger interior has as much room as is found in any small SUV - and some that are not so small - and is just as versatile in its ability to carry people or cargo. Even unwieldy items like a bicycle fit with little problem. Fuel economy is far better than that of any SUV, and the V40 has a distinctly sporty character on the road. Sport plus utility equals versatility in the form of the Volvo V40. APPEARANCE: With their rounded corners and edges, and prominent, high shoulder line, the S and V40 were radically-styled for Volvo when they debuted in 1995. They were the first modern Volvos to drop the ``box'' look, and if they look a little boxy now, it's just because the 60, 70, and 80-series Volvos have completely buried the box. As before, the V40 features a sleek aerodynamic shape, with a long, tapered roofline, but details have changed for 2003. Both the S and V40 get a black ``egg-crate'' grille similar to that of the XC70 (Cross Country) crossover wagon and new front and rear bumpers and protective body side molding. COMFORT: Inside, the 40-series Volvos get a new three-spoke steering wheel, redesigned instrument cluster, and a standard AM/FM/cassette/CD stereo. Styling is in keeping with the rest of the Volvo lineup, as is passenger comfort. According to Volvo, driver and passenger comfort is a safety feature as a relaxed, comfortable driver is more likely to be alert. The V40 is in no way inferior to its larger, more expensive relatives in that regard. As in other Volvos, the front seats combine relatively soft padding with excellent support. Power adjustment of the driver's seat is available with the ``Premium Package'' option group, which includes leather seating surfaces and steering wheel, handbrake, and shift knob coverings, a power moonroof, simulated wood inlays in the instrument panel and doors, and other upscale features. Front seat heating is also available. The rear seat has a remarkable amount of head and leg room for the size of the car, and a 60/40 split with flip-up cushions and fold-down seat backs gives the V40 the veratility of a small SUV, with greater comfort and better handling. ``V'' is for ``versatility,'' after all. SAFETY: Volvo is almost synonymous with safety, and the V40 has all of the expected Volvo safety features. All occupants have three-point safety belts, a Volvo innovation back in 1959. The safety-cage chassis has front and rear crumple zones. Dual-stage front airbags, and side-impact protection, side airbags and the ``Inflatable Curtain'' side head-protection system, whiplash- protection seats, and four-wheel antilock disc brakes are all standard. ROADABILITY: With a supple, well-damped fully-independent suspension that provides very good ride comfort and sporty handling, the V40 combines sport and utility in a way that no truck possibly can. The MacPherson strut front, multilink rear suspension has had minor revisions since the car's introduction, but is unchanged for 2003. And changes aren't needed. Good suspension compliance, low noise levels, and nimble cornering abilities make the Volvo V40 a good car for any sort of road, with any sort of load. PERFORMANCE: Small, useful wagons can be fun, and fuel- efficient. While the torque rating of the V40's 1.9-liter light- pressure turbocharged four-cylinder engine is unchanged this year at 177 lb-ft from 1800 through 4500 rpm, minor enhancements boost horsepower from 160 to 170. That's enough to be noticeable, and helps the fun-to-drive factor with no major impact on fuel economy. At 26 mpg according to the trip computer for mostly city and secondary road driving, the V40 is considerably more fuel- efficient than even a small ``crossover'' SUV. Turbo lag is virtually nonexistent. The five-speed electronically-controlled automatic was introduced a couple of years ago, and continues to benefit both performance and fuel efficiency with smooth, adaptive shifting. CONCLUSIONS: The Volvo V40 combines space, versatility, safety, and economical performance in a way that no small sport- utility can. SPECIFICATIONS 2003 Volvo V40 Wagon Base Price $ 24,900 Price As Tested $ 29,355 Engine Type dual overhead cam 16-valve light- pressure turbocharged inline 4-cylinder Engine Size 1.9 liters / 115 cu. in. Horsepower 170 @ 5250 rpm Torque (lb-ft) 177 @ 1800-4500 rpm Transmission 5-speed electronically-controlled automatic Wheelbase / Length 100.9 in. / 180.2 in. Curb Weight 2,822 lbs. Pounds Per Horsepower 16.6 Fuel Capacity 15.9 gal. Fuel Requirement unleaded gasoline, 91 octane for best performance Tires P195/60 VR15 Michelin MXV4 Brakes, front/rear vented disc / solid disc, antilock standard Suspension, front/rear independent MacPherson strut / independent multilink Drivetrain front engine, front-wheel drive PERFORMANCE EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon city / highway / observed 22 / 30 / 26 0 to 60 mph 8.4 sec OPTIONS AND CHARGES Metallic paint $ 450 Climate package - includes: heated front seats, Dynamic Stability Assistance (DSA), headlamp wipers & washers, special price $ 850 Premium package with chrome door handles: power glass moonroof, power driver's seat, leather seating surfaces, steering wheel, handbrake lever, and shift knob, simulated wood inlays, trip computer, premium speaker system, chrome door handles. Value $4,140 Savings $1,645 $ 2,495 Destination charge $ 660