2006 Volvo S40

The 2006 Volvo S40 is a compact luxury sedan with five seats and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The standard drivetrain is a 168-horsepower inline-5-cylinder engine that pairs with a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive (FWD). Acceleration is merely OK with this engine, and fuel economy is an EPA-rated 22 mpg combined with either transmission.

The S40 T5 gets a turbocharged 2.5-liter 5-cylinder that produces 218 horsepower and can be paired with a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic, with FWD standard and AWD optional. Thanks to its nimble handling and small size, the S40 is ideal at dicing through traffic and sneaking into parking spots. Its ride is on the firm side, however, and some key rivals feel sportier from behind the wheel.

Helping the S40 stand out is its airy and distinctly Scandinavian interior and hugely supportive seats; Volvo really does know how to craft some comfortable perches. Less enamoring is the cramped backseat.

What’s New in the 2006 Volvo S40?

• The S40 has no noteworthy updates for the 2006 model year.

Where the S40 Sits in the 2006 Volvo Lineup

The S40 is one of Volvo’s smallest and more affordable models. In terms of size and price, it resides below the midsize S60 sedan, the V50 and XC70 wagons, and the full-size S80 sedan.

2006 S40 vs. the Competition

The S40 has a wide range of strong competitors, including these three key compact luxury sedan rivals:

• Saab 9-3: Loads of cargo volume, manual or automatic transmission, optional AWD, distinctive design.

• Acura TSX: Highly agile steering, a solid value, rev-happy 4-cylinder engine, impressive fuel efficiency.

• BMW 3 Series: Classy and elegant interior, superb handling, strong lineup of engines, nicely controlled ride.

What’s the Best 2006 Volvo S40 Trim for You?

Which Trim Is the Best Value?

The entry-level S40 2.4i model comes with keyless entry, automatic climate control, heated side mirrors, a CD player, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, and traction control.

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Best Trim for Fuel Economy

The S40 T5 with the upgraded 5-cylinder engine, FWD, and 6-speed manual returns an EPA-estimated 23 mpg combined city/highway.

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Best Trim for Trunk Space

The S40 has a 12.6-cubic-foot trunk. A split-folding rear seatback expands the cargo area when needed.

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Top-of-the-Line Trim

The S40 T5 with AWD benefits from the turbocharged engine and added road grip. Other touches include a sport suspension, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and dual-zone automatic climate control.

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Should I Buy an Older Volvo S40 Instead?

This generation of the S40 arrived for the 2004 model year. Consider a slightly older model if you’d like to save money on Volvo’s city-proportioned small sedan.

You can find a used Volvo S40 with Carfax used car listings. Each used car comes with a free Carfax vehicle history report.

Research the Volvo S40 from other model years