Oil City
Tooth E. Grin on 12/28/2015
Performance: 0
Comfort: 0
Fuel Economy: 0
Fun To Drive: 0
Interior Design: 0
Exterior Design: 0
Build Quality: 0
Reliability: 0
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 2
Safety Rating: 5
Technology Rating: 4
Value Rating: 3
After only four months of ownership my V40 started leaking oil. I got estimates ranging from $950 to $1,700 basically, to replace all seals because nobody was really certain as to where the oil was coming from. It was not a good situation because the oil was dangerously close to the timing belt. It wasn't a bad leak: probably a quart every 7,500 miles. I checked the belt periodically (it was changed around 90,000) and it always looked dry. After three years, the belt slipped. Luckily, it didn't damage the cylinders (it ran for only about three seconds while in my garage-----luckily, I wasn't doing 70 mph out on the highway!). Since then I've encountered a myriad of problems. Most recently, the #1 cylinder started missing and need a new ignition coil. Then, it would just refuse to start (had to be put into neutral----------'never did this before!!). I drive a lot. And I work sometimes over 100 miles from home. This was a great car, but I've lost my confidence in it.
A sexy highway cruiser
Diren Yardimli on 04/11/2009
Performance: 4
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 4
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
The V40 is not the station we have come to expect from Volvo. It's neither as masculin nor as bricky as a conventional Volvo (which made me think twice before buying it). Yet the design is slim, clean and as sexy as can be for a station wagon. Its seats embraces you, its steering is solid and secure, its engine sounds confident. Neither the sporthy whiiim, not the cheap sound of most commercial engines. On the road it easily glides through the traffic, easily reaches 200 km/h (even though the official max. speed is 195 for the 1.8).
Great Long-Term Value
Joey on 12/11/2008
Performance: 5
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
Purchased used at a great value and haven't been disappointed, yet. Other than regular maintenance, the car has performed great. It's sporty, holds bikes and snowboards on top, enough room for moderate luggage load in the rear - if not a bit tight in the rear seats, though. Comfortable ride, but not the best on long trips. Austere interior is perfect - I prefer minimal and simple interior gadgets/knobs. Misses would include black bumper trim pieces fading and the replacement of the fascia cup holder which I completed myself. I've also replaced the front strut mounts 3 times due to potholes and rough roads. The turbo is quick and a great asset for both city and motorway take-overs.
Nice lil wagon
drivetotheend on 07/13/2007
Performance: 4
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 4
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 4
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 5
Bought with 58,000, now at 74,000. Nothing beyond the 60K service and oil changes. Paint is worst feature. Added mud flaps and euro-rails for a little character and sport exhaust, K&N filter, Bilstein gas shocks and a heavier sway bar for fun. Very responsive, very quick, very nice. As noted on these, the brakes will need replacing after about 20K, but it still stops well (they were new at purchase). Overall, this is a great vehicle. Yakima box onto the rails and I can fit all I need to camp with my wife and two small children. Once they get a little older, the back seat will be too small; it's tight back there!
2001 Volvo V40
Volvo convert on 06/12/2007
Performance: 5
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 4
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 4
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
My Corolla was totaled while parked on the street (who could have foreseen that?!), so in replacing it I was thinking safety, which the V40 has in droves (save for stability control, which was reserved for $40K cars in 2001). The V40 has turned out to be an ideal compromise between all the things I want in a car. While it doesn't excel in any one category (except for safety and comfort, Volvo's trademarks), the V40 does everything pretty darn well! You don't have to trade efficiency for performance, you get both at above average levels. Same for size vs. cargo space, handling vs. ride; all the places where you expect to give up one thing to get another. Handles everything you throw at it.
Still Kicking
Brian on 10/10/2006
Performance: 5
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 4
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 5
I just turned over 200,000 km's and the V40 is still performing deciently. Noticeable interior creaks and squeaks recently but nothing the stock sound system can handle. My V40 is my office and it still handles great. My only complaint is the cost of servicing this vehicle. Without doubt the most expensive car I have ever owned for regular maintenance. Beware.
Very happy
Claude on 11/25/2005
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 4
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 4
Reliability: 4
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 4
When the price of gas when up crazy, I decided to trade my Nissan pathfinder. With two young kids 2 and 4 i needed some space! For the price of my Pathfnider LE 2000 I found this Volvo V40 2001... I just love it, With full leather interior, good space, great performance, I really don't miss my pathfinder. I just fell in love with Volvo. I would recommand this car to anyone. Reliability... only have the car for 4 months... So far So good
V40_summary2004
tsana on 09/04/2004
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 4
Reliability: 4
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 4
Responsive and full of power (AC reduces
this substantially though). Comfortable
bucket seats, great sounding manufacturer's
audio/CD. Truly have enjoyed this car.
Faults: environmentally friendly brake pads
need replacing annually!! Also had chronic
defects in electronic driver seat adjuster. No
problems with engine in 4 years. I highly
recommend it. New V50 replaces it in 2004.
happy with my v40
budsun on 08/07/2004
Performance: 4
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 4
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 4
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 5
Bought the v40 w/30K last year and I
have been happy w/it since. I've had
only 1 major problem since I owned it
but it was covered by the warrenty
(steering). The prev. owner had
replaced the rear rotors
(again..warrenty item)IMO, The v40 has
good initial acceleration due the
minimal turbo lag and the ride quality
is great. I wish the car came w/a
strut tower and 15/16in rims because
taking on windy roads can get a bit
scary. Rear seat room is tight(made
for kids), internal components break
easily(cup holder, etc), and styling
is a bit plain(I added roof rails,
rear spoiler,& mud flaps). overall, I
love the car
not enough room for kids
red1 on 01/07/2004
Performance: 4
Comfort: 3
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 4
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 3
Reliability: 4
Comfort Rating: 3
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 4
I purchased this auto used. I thought it would
be great to have with my 2 kids, but it is way
too small. My husband and I are tall 5'8" and
6'4" and when all 4 of us are in the car it is
very uncomfortable. The back doesnt hold
near enough. If you have a baby get the
larger wagon (or an SUV) - wish I had. We
couldnt even get to the airport for a trip
because our (4) suitcases couldnt fit in it.
From Texas
used v40 on 10/28/2003
Performance: 5
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 4
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 5
USED 2001 V40 with 41580 miles to
start. The looks are showroom quality.
It has a loud deep bass hum the VOLVO
tech said "that's how it sounds." I
drove from TEXAS to NYC. 1800 miles in
2 days that's 30 hours not incld stops
for food, the toilet and gas. No
problem for me, but the car? The V40
great. Smooth ride on the freeway,
sport like on the city interchanges
and streets. Stopped 7 times, 55
gallons of gas and actually drove
1900.2 miles. I avg 70 mph and 34.6
mpg, not bad for any car. I am not
the "a button for eveything" type. The
interior is plain, many of
the "buttons" are muti-functional. The
trunk is spacious for a compact
wagon.
V40 - the most safety family car
mtkadlec on 03/07/2003
Performance: 4
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 2
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
2001 facelifting is good for driving
performance and behavior on the road
(only 2wheel drive!) with automatic
gearbox - not lazy, but not speedy as
well - the best wagon for family or
seniors
Still love it after a year
jfalley on 01/01/2003
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 5
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
I am single, travel (for fun) alot and
love this wagon. I have 2 dogs, and
there is plenty of room for the
standard fair for one person. 2 people
with all the equipment to snowboard
gets full but still has rear vision
through the vehicle, have done 3 people
and I don't recomend it, the back seat
is tight (real tight)if the front is
set for the comfort of a 6 foot tall
person. Rear seat is for kids only, but
that is how you get the good milage,
perfect for me.
Update of prior review
woobie on 09/21/2002
Performance: 5
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 3
Fun To Drive: 4
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 1
Reliability: 3
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 3
Has been in service department four
times since it was purchased last year.
The last service took over four weeks
to complete. The fit and finish is
sorely lacking with this car. A/C
stinks and trim pieces fade/degrade
quickly.
Excellent sports wagon~!
SoJung & Michael on 08/24/2002
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 5
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
The Volvo V40 sports wagon is an
incredible package that looks great,
runs smooth, and handles all the
twistie curves which performance
driving demands. The interior is
comfortable for both driver and front
passenger. The rear seats are
adequate. Cargo area has safety net,
variable belt fixtures and cover for
hiding cargo. And of course it is
Volvo safe to protect your most
precious cargo, YOU and your loved ones.
New-to-Me Volvo
Madison on 08/22/2002
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 5
Fun To Drive: 4
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
This car gives me everything I need:
good gas mileage, great cubic space for
hauling stuff, comfort, and most
particularly, reliability.
Quality, Safety, and A Whole Lot of Fun!
volvolover on 07/23/2002
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
We purchased this Volvo because we needed something with a little hauling
room, but wanted something that would protect us in case of an accident.
Face it, you don't get any safer than Volvo! The V40 is a great deal -- 90%
of the length of the V70 but about 60% of the price. So we knew we'd get
safety, but what about reliability, comfort and that fun factor? We're thrilled
to say we found them all in our V40. It's so solid, you feel like you're in a
Volvo as opposed to some mid-range car, it's sporty with really great pickup
(thanks to the turbo), and the seats are the most comfortable I've ever
encountered in a car. After 14 months, we couldn't be happier.