Volvo S40: Trims, Generations & Buyer's Guide
Last updated August 4, 2026
The Volvo S40 is a small premium sedan known for Scandinavian design, safety-focused engineering, supportive seats, and an easy-to-park size. Its turbocharged five-cylinder gives the tidy, understated car more punch than its looks suggest.
The S40 consistently offered Volvo’s safety-first character and clean Scandinavian design in a smaller package than a traditional luxury sedan. Its supportive seats and distinctive floating center stack gave the cabin a clear Volvo identity. Later turbo models added lively performance without changing the car’s calm, understated personality.
Strengths
- Its compact dimensions make it easier to park and maneuver than a larger premium sedan.
- The cabin stands out with clean Scandinavian styling, a floating center stack, and supportive seats.
- Volvo’s safety-first engineering is a central part of the S40’s character.
- The turbocharged five-cylinder delivers strong everyday punch, with 227 horsepower in 2011.
- The 2011 S40 was rated at 30 mpg on the highway, giving its turbo performance reasonable cruising efficiency.
Who it's for
The S40 fits someone who wants a compact used sedan that feels more distinctive and upscale than a typical economy car. It makes particular sense for city driving and commuting, where its manageable size is useful, while still offering the design and safety-minded character associated with Volvo.
Volvo S40 lineup
The T5 is the trim to seek if turbo five-cylinder power is the priority. The T5 R-Design keeps that turbo character but adds a sportier-looking exterior and interior; this became the main identity of turbo S40 models in 2009. Earlier late-run cars also included the 2.4i as the alternative to the turbo models, but Volvo dropped it for the final 2011 model year. By then, the lineup consisted only of the front-wheel-drive T5 and T5 R-Design with automatic transmissions.
Volvo S40 generations
From 2009 to 2011, the S40 spans 1 generation. The current 2nd Generation arrived for 2004.
2nd Generation (2004.5–2011)
The second-generation S40 launched in the U.S. for 2004.5 and ended after 2011. The 2009–2011 models covered here are late-cycle cars that followed the 2008 exterior and interior refresh.
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2011Trim changes
The 2.4i, manual transmission, and AWD models left the lineup. The remaining T5 and T5 R-Design trims used a 227-hp turbocharged five-cylinder, front-wheel drive, and a five-speed automatic.
2010
Equipment and transmission details changed, including a standard manual for the 2.4i and AWD T5 R-Design. Styling and the cabin carried over.
2009Trim changes
Turbo models became T5 R-Design trims with sport-themed styling inside and out. The 2.4i gained more standard equipment, and manual transmissions left the U.S. lineup.
What's new by year
See what changed in a specific model year of the Volvo S40.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Volvo S40 a sedan?
Yes. The Volvo S40 is a four-door compact sedan with seating for five. Its tidy size makes it easier to park than a larger luxury sedan while still providing a separate trunk.
What is the Volvo S40 known for?
The S40 is known for clean Scandinavian design, supportive seats, strong safety roots, and an easy-to-park size. Its distinctive floating center stack is another defining cabin feature.
Who is the Volvo S40 a good fit for?
The S40 suits someone who wants a small, distinctive premium sedan without moving to a larger luxury car. It emphasizes comfort, tidy dimensions, understated design, and useful everyday performance.
Does the Volvo S40 come as a hybrid?
No. The S40 models covered here use gasoline five-cylinder engines. The lineup includes a 2.4-liter non-turbo engine and a stronger 2.5-liter turbo engine, but no hybrid.
Is every Volvo S40 turbocharged?
No. The 2.4i uses a 168-hp non-turbo five-cylinder, while T5 models use a 227-hp turbo five-cylinder. Volvo dropped the 2.4i for the final U.S. model year, making that last lineup turbo-only.
Does the Volvo S40 have all-wheel drive?
Some earlier turbo S40s had all-wheel drive, including an AWD T5 R-Design. Volvo removed AWD for the final U.S. model year, when both remaining trims were front-wheel drive.
Which generation is the later Volvo S40?
The later S40 is the second generation, launched in the U.S. for the 2004.5/2005 model period. It continued through the final U.S. model year in 2011, with late-cycle styling and equipment updates along the way.