Volvo S40: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Volvo S40 catalogue covers a Sedan offered from September 1995 to January 2020 across two generations, each with a restyling. The choice is unusually broad: Gasoline or Diesel, Manual or Automatic, FWD or AWD, naturally aspirated or Turbo, and engines from 1560 to 2521 cc. The best version therefore depends on priority.
The Volvo S40 catalogue covers a Sedan offered from September 1995 to January 2020 across two generations, each with a restyling. The choice is unusually broad: Gasoline or Diesel, Manual or Automatic, FWD or AWD, naturally aspirated or Turbo, and engines from 1560 to 2521 cc. The best version therefore depends on priority. The 109 hp 1.6 MT Diesel has the lowest measured combined consumption at 3.9 l/100 km; the 230 hp 2.5 MT AWD is the most powerful listed version; the 220 hp 2.5 MT reaches 100 km/h in the quickest measured time of 6.8 seconds; and the first-generation cars provide the greatest ground clearance at 150 mm.
Volvo S40 generations: what changed?
The first-generation Volvo S40 ran from September 1995 through May 2004 as a Sedan. Its original period, ending in May 2000, contains 13 versions, while the June 2000 restyling contains 16. The original range shown here spans 90–200 hp, with 1.6 MT, 1.7 MT, 1.7 AT, several 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT variants, and three 1.9 MT Diesel outputs. Every listed first-generation version is FWD. Ground clearance is consistently 150 mm, the fuel tank holds 60 litres, and transmissions have either four or five gears. The restyling retains the Sedan body, 60-litre tank and 150 mm clearance, but its shown catalogue adds a 1.8 MT with direct injection and continues to offer naturally aspirated and Turbo Gasoline engines alongside Diesel.
The second-generation Volvo S40 ran from June 2004 through January 2020 as a Sedan. The pre-restyling period, ending in March 2007, contains 14 versions, and the April 2007 restyling contains 22. Its shown engine selection expands to 1560–2521 cc and includes four- and five-cylinder Inline layouts. Five- and six-speed Manual gearboxes and five- and six-speed Automatic gearboxes appear in the data. Most versions are FWD, but 2.5 MT and 2.5 AT Turbo models are also listed with AWD. Clearance falls to 135 mm before the restyling and is generally 141 mm afterward, although some restyled entries retain 135 mm. Tank capacity falls from 60 to 55 litres after the restyling.
Volvo S40 engine specs compared
Repeated version names are distinguished below by output, generation period, or drive. “Boost” and other categorical values use the catalogue’s English labels exactly.
| Period and version | Output | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995–2000 1.6 MT | 105 hp | 143 Nm | 1588 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1995–2000 1.7 MT | 115 hp | 165 Nm | 1731 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1995–2000 1.7 AT | 115 hp | 165 Nm | 1731 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1995–2000 2.0 MT, 140 hp | 140 hp | 183 Nm | 1948 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1995–2000 2.0 MT, 160 hp | 160 hp | 230 Nm | 1948 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1995–2000 2.0 MT, 200 hp | 200 hp | 300 Nm | 1948 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1995–2000 2.0 AT, 140 hp | 140 hp | 183 Nm | 1948 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1995–2000 2.0 AT, 160 hp | 160 hp | 230 Nm | 1948 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1995–2000 2.0 AT, 200 hp | 200 hp | 300 Nm | 1948 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1995–2000 1.9 MT, 90 hp | 90 hp | 176 Nm | 1870 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1995–2000 1.9 MT, 102 hp | 102 hp | 215 Nm | 1870 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1995–2000 1.9 MT, 115 hp | 115 hp | 265 Nm | 1870 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2000–2004 1.6 MT | 109 hp | 145 Nm | 1587 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2000–2004 1.8 MT, 122 hp | 122 hp | 170 Nm | 1783 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2000–2004 1.8 AT | 122 hp | 170 Nm | 1783 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 2000–2004 1.8 MT, 125 hp | 125 hp | 174 Nm | 1834 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2000–2004 2.0 MT, 136 hp | 136 hp | 190 Nm | 1948 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2000–2004 2.0 AT, 160 hp | 160 hp | 230 Nm | 1948 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 2000–2004 2.0 MT, 160 hp | 160 hp | 230 Nm | 1948 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2000–2004 2.0 MT, 163 hp | 163 hp | 240 Nm | 1948 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2000–2004 2.0 MT, 165 hp | 165 hp | 240 Nm | 1948 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2000–2004 2.0 AT, 165 hp | 165 hp | 240 Nm | 1948 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 2000–2004 2.0 MT, 200 hp | 200 hp | 300 Nm | 1948 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2000–2004 1.9 MT | 102 hp | 215 Nm | 1870 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2004–2007 1.6 MT, Diesel | 109 hp | 240 Nm | 1560 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2004–2007 2.0 MT, Diesel | 136 hp | 320 Nm | 1998 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2004–2007 2.4 AT, Diesel | 180 hp | 350 Nm | 2401 cc | Diesel | 5, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 2004–2007 1.6 MT, Gasoline | 100 hp | 150 Nm | 1596 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2004–2007 1.8 MT | 125 hp | 165 Nm | 1798 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2004–2007 2.0 MT, Gasoline | 145 hp | 185 Nm | 1999 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2004–2007 2.4 MT, 140 hp | 140 hp | 220 Nm | 2435 cc | Gasoline | 5, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2004–2007 2.4 MT, 170 hp | 170 hp | 230 Nm | 2435 cc | Gasoline | 5, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2004–2007 2.4 AT, 140 hp | 140 hp | 220 Nm | 2435 cc | Gasoline | 5, Inline | No | 5-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 2004–2007 2.4 AT, 170 hp | 170 hp | 230 Nm | 2435 cc | Gasoline | 5, Inline | No | 5-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 2004–2007 2.5 MT, AWD | 220 hp | 320 Nm | 2521 cc | Gasoline | 5, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | AWD |
| 2004–2007 2.5 MT, FWD | 220 hp | 320 Nm | 2521 cc | Gasoline | 5, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2007–2020 1.6 MT, Gasoline | 100 hp | 150 Nm | 1596 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2007–2020 1.8 MT | 125 hp | 165 Nm | 1798 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2007–2020 2.4 MT, 140 hp | 140 hp | 220 Nm | 2435 cc | Gasoline | 5, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2007–2020 2.4 MT, 170 hp | 170 hp | 230 Nm | 2435 cc | Gasoline | 5, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2007–2020 2.5 AT, 220 hp | 220 hp | 320 Nm | 2521 cc | Gasoline | 5, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Automatic | AWD |
| 2007–2020 2.5 MT, 220 hp | 220 hp | 320 Nm | 2521 cc | Gasoline | 5, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| 2007–2020 2.5 MT, 230 hp | 230 hp | 320 Nm | 2521 cc | Gasoline | 5, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | AWD |
| 2007–2020 1.6 MT, Diesel | 109 hp | 240 Nm | 1560 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2007–2020 2.0 MT, 150 hp | 150 hp | 350 Nm | 1984 cc | Diesel | 5, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2007–2020 2.0 AT, 177 hp | 177 hp | 400 Nm | 1984 cc | Diesel | 5, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 2007–2020 2.0 MT, 177 hp | 177 hp | 400 Nm | 1984 cc | Diesel | 5, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2007–2020 2.0 MT, 136 hp | 136 hp | 320 Nm | 1997 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
Volvo S40 performance and mpg
For minimum measured fuel use, the restyled second-generation 1.6 MT Diesel is the clear numerical choice. Its consumption is 4.9 l/100 km city, 3.4 highway and 3.9 combined. It produces 109 hp and 240 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 11.4 seconds and has a 190 km/h top speed. Compared with the 2004–2007 1.6 MT Diesel, it uses 1.0 l/100 km less on the combined cycle and reaches 100 km/h 0.6 seconds sooner.
The strongest Diesel choices are the restyled 2.0 AT and 2.0 MT with 177 hp and 400 Nm. The Manual records 8.7 seconds to 100 km/h, 220 km/h and 5.0 l/100 km combined; the Automatic records 8.8 seconds, 215 km/h and 5.6 l/100 km. Choosing the Manual therefore brings a 0.1-second acceleration advantage, a 5 km/h higher top speed and 0.6 l/100 km lower combined consumption. The 150 hp 2.0 MT also returns 5.0 l/100 km combined, but its 9.5-second acceleration is 0.8 seconds slower; its top speed is not measured.
For Gasoline performance, the second-generation 2.5 MT offers the quickest measured acceleration at 6.8 seconds in both the 220 hp FWD pre-restyling version and the 220 hp AWD restyled version. The earlier FWD car reaches 240 km/h, while the later AWD entry reaches 240 km/h and records 8.7 l/100 km combined. The 230 hp 2.5 MT AWD reaches 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds, tops out at 230 km/h and consumes 9.6 l/100 km combined. Despite having 10 hp more, it is 0.3 seconds slower to 100 km/h than the 220 hp restyled 2.5 MT and uses 0.9 l/100 km more combined.
The first-generation 200 hp 2.0 MT Turbo has a strong power-per-litre figure: 200 hp from 1948 cc is approximately 102.7 hp per litre. It reaches 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds and 235 km/h. The second-generation 230 hp 2.5 MT produces approximately 91.2 hp per litre. The later car supplies 30 hp and 20 Nm more, but the first-generation 2.0 MT concentrates more output into each litre of displacement.
Whenever consumption is absent in the supplied entry, it is not measured. This applies, for example, to the 2004–2007 2.4 MT, 2.4 AT and FWD 2.5 MT entries, as well as several first-generation versions. It should not be inferred from another version with the same name.
Volvo S40 dimensions, weight and capacity
Exterior length, width and height are not measured in the supplied data, so a complete Volvo S40 dimensions comparison is not possible. Weight, clearance, tank capacity and selected wheel sizes are measured.
First-generation kerb weights shown range from 1225 kg to 1310 kg, with gross weights from 1720 to 1790 kg. The original 200 hp 2.0 MT weighs 1225 kg, giving approximately 6.1 kg per hp; its 200 hp 2.0 AT weighs 1300 kg, or 6.5 kg per hp. The Manual is therefore 75 kg lighter. All shown first-generation cars have 150 mm clearance and a 60-litre tank. Listed wheel sizes include 185/65 R15, 195/60 R15, 195/55 R15, 205/55 R15, 205/50 R16.
Second-generation pre-restyling kerb weights shown range from 1250 to 1470 kg, while gross weights range from 1800 to 2020 kg. The 220 hp 2.5 MT FWD weighs 1365 kg, about 6.2 kg per hp, whereas the 220 hp 2.5 MT AWD weighs 1470 kg, about 6.7 kg per hp. AWD adds 105 kg in this comparison. Both have 135 mm clearance and a 60-litre tank. Listed wheels are 195/65 R15, 205/55 R16 and 215/55 R16.
In the restyled second generation, measured kerb weights span 1285–1555 kg and gross weights span 1800–2020 kg. The 230 hp 2.5 MT AWD is the heaviest listed car at 1555 kg, approximately 6.8 kg per hp. Most entries have 141 mm clearance and every shown entry has a 55-litre tank; wheel sizes are not measured. Compared with the pre-restyling range, the tank is 5 litres smaller.
Volvo S40 reliability, problems and service data
Reliability ratings, mileage durability, maintenance intervals, engine-oil specifications, power-steering-pump data, engine-mount replacement costs and diagnostic meanings for “engine system service required” or “engine system service urgent” are not measured. The catalogue therefore cannot rank versions by reliability or predict repair costs. For a car offered for sale, those questions require vehicle-specific service and diagnostic records rather than performance figures.
Which Volvo S40 version should you buy?
Choose the restyled 1.6 MT Diesel when measured economy matters most: 3.9 l/100 km combined is the lowest figure in the data, while 240 Nm gives it 90 Nm more torque than the 100 hp Gasoline 1.6 MT. The trade-off is performance—11.4 seconds to 100 km/h versus 11.9 seconds for the Gasoline car, but well behind the larger Turbo engines.
Choose the restyled 177 hp 2.0 MT Diesel for the strongest balance of acceleration, torque and economy. Its 400 Nm is the highest listed torque, its 8.7-second acceleration is only 1.9 seconds behind the quickest 6.8-second S40, and its 5.0 l/100 km combined consumption is 3.7 l/100 km below the 220 hp 2.5 MT AWD.
Choose the 220 hp 2.5 MT FWD from 2004–2007 for the best power-to-weight result among the second-generation 2.5 MT entries shown: approximately 6.2 kg per hp, 6.8 seconds to 100 km/h and 240 km/h. Fuel consumption is not measured, and the FWD layout does not provide the AWD specification offered by other 2.5 MT versions.
Choose the 220 hp 2.5 MT AWD from the restyled second generation if AWD, 6.8-second acceleration and measured economy in the same version are essential. It reaches 240 km/h and records 8.7 l/100 km combined. The 220 hp 2.5 AT AWD is 0.4 seconds slower to 100 km/h, 5 km/h slower at maximum speed and uses 0.7 l/100 km more combined.
Choose a first-generation car if 150 mm ground clearance is the decisive specification. That is 9 mm more than the usual 141 mm restyled second-generation figure and 15 mm more than the 135 mm pre-restyling figure. Among the first-generation performance choices, the 200 hp 2.0 MT combines 7.3-second acceleration, 235 km/h and approximately 6.1 kg per hp. Its fuel consumption is not measured, so it cannot be presented as the economy choice.