Volvo V40

Which Volvo V40 Version Should You Buy?

The Volvo V40 choice starts with body style. The first generation and its restyling, produced from 1995 to 2004, are Estate 5-door models. The second generation, represented in the data from 2013 to 2020, changes the formula to Mini 5-doors and later Hatchback 5-door form.

The Volvo V40 choice starts with body style. The first generation and its restyling, produced from 1995 to 2004, are Estate 5-door models. The second generation, represented in the data from 2013 to 2020, changes the formula to Mini 5-doors and later Hatchback 5-door form. Across four catalogue entries—two generations and their restylings—the range covers Gasoline and Diesel engines, Manual, Automatic, and Robotic gearboxes, plus FWD and selected AWD versions. The best choice therefore depends on whether you value the earlier estate body, the later car’s economy, or maximum performance.

Volvo V40 generations: what changed?

The 1 generation ran from 1995 to 2000 as an Estate 5-door with 13 versions. Its listed engines range from the 1.6 MT with 105 hp to the 1.9 MT with 200 hp. Most versions are naturally aspirated or turbocharged Gasoline units, while the Diesel choices use the exact name 1.9 MT at several power levels. Gearboxes have 5 speeds for Manual models and 4 speeds for Automatic models, and every listed version is FWD.

The 1 generation, restyling ran from 2000 to 2004, retained the Estate 5-door body and offered 12 versions. Power ranges from 102 hp in the 1.9 MT Diesel to 200 hp in the 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT Gasoline versions. The restyled range introduces several differently tuned versions sharing the same 2.0 MT or 2.0 AT name, so power is essential when comparing them.

The 2 generation ran from 2013 to 2018 as a Mini 5-doors model with 27 versions in the catalogue, of which 12 are shown in the supplied specifications. Compared with the earlier generation, the listed range adds 6-speed transmissions, a Robotic option, Euro 5 and Euro 6 classifications, and two AWD 2.5 AT versions. The strongest is the 2.5 AT with 254 hp, while the most economical stated combined figure belongs to the 120 hp 2.0 MT Diesel at 3.2 l/100 km.

The 2 generation, restyling ran from 2017 to 2020 as a Hatchback 5-door with 13 versions, of which 12 are shown. Every listed engine is turbocharged, every version is FWD, and outputs span 120–245 hp. Most gearboxes have 6 speeds, while the 190 hp Diesel 2.0 AT uses an 8-speed Automatic. All listed restyled versions are Euro 6.

Volvo V40 engine specs compared

Because several names repeat, the power figure identifies each specification accurately.

Volvo V40 performance and fuel economy

For outright speed, the 2 generation 2.5 AT with 254 hp reaches 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds and has a 250 km/h top speed. The 249 hp 2.5 AT also takes 6.1 seconds but reaches 210 km/h. Both use AWD and a 6-speed Automatic, so the additional 5 hp in the 254 hp version coincides with a 40 km/h higher listed top speed. Their combined consumption figures are 7.9 and 8.3 l/100 km respectively, giving the 254 hp version a 0.4 l/100 km advantage.

The restyled 2 generation’s fastest listed choice is the 245 hp 2.0 AT. It reaches 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds and 240 km/h, while consuming 5.9 l/100 km combined. Its output is about 124.4 hp per litre, versus about 101.7 hp per litre for the 254 hp 2.5 AT. Its kerb-weight-to-power figure is about 6.46 kg/hp, close to the 254 hp AWD model’s approximately 6.18 kg/hp.

Among Diesel versions, the restyled 190 hp 2.0 AT combines 400 Nm with a 7.2-second acceleration time, a 230 km/h top speed, and 4.2 l/100 km combined consumption. The 190 hp 2.0 MT also produces 400 Nm, but takes 7.4 seconds and uses 3.8 l/100 km combined. Choosing the Automatic gains 0.2 seconds in acceleration while adding 0.4 l/100 km to the combined figure.

The economy leader in the supplied second-generation data is the 120 hp Diesel 2.0 MT with 3.2 l/100 km combined, 3.7 l/100 km urban, and 2.9 l/100 km extra-urban consumption. It takes 10.7 seconds to reach 100 km/h and has a 190 km/h top speed. In the restyled generation, the equivalent 120 hp 2.0 MT records the same consumption figures but takes 10.5 seconds.

Where consumption is absent in the data, it is not measured. This applies, for example, to the first-generation 1.9 MT with 200 hp and several first-generation 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT versions. No economy estimate should be inferred for those cars.

Volvo V40 dimensions and weight data

External length, width, and height are not measured in the supplied data. The comparable dimensional figures are kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance, tank capacity, and the wheel sizes listed for selected versions.

The first-generation Estate 5-door models have 150 mm of ground clearance and a 60-litre tank. Kerb weights range from 1225 kg for the 1.7 MT to 1320 kg for the 2.0 AT with 160 hp. Gross weights range from 1740 to 1810 kg. Listed wheels include 205/50 R16 and 205/55 R15 for the 200 hp 1.9 MT; other first-generation wheel sizes are not measured.

The restyled first-generation Estate 5-door also has 150 mm of clearance and a 60-litre tank. Kerb weight ranges from 1260 kg for the 1.8 AT to 1330 kg for the turbocharged 2.0 versions, while gross weight ranges from 1770 to 1800 kg. The 1.8 MT with 122 hp and the 102 hp Diesel 1.9 MT list 195/60 R15 and 185/65 R15 wheels; wheel sizes for the remaining versions are not measured.

The second generation has 133 mm of clearance and a 52-litre tank. Among the shown versions, kerb weight runs from 1357 kg for the 115 hp Diesel 1.6 MT to 1570 kg for the 254 hp 2.5 AT. Gross weight ranges from 1890 to 2070 kg. The 180 hp 2.0 AT lists 205/55 R16, 205/50 R17, 225/45 R17, and 225/40 R18 wheels; wheel sizes for the other shown versions are not measured.

Every shown restyled second-generation version has 133 mm of clearance and a 62-litre tank. Kerb weight ranges from 1531 kg for the 1.5 T3 AT to 1615 kg for the 190 hp Diesel 2.0 AT. Gross weight ranges from 1920 to 2025 kg where measured; it is not measured for the 1.5 T3 AT. Wheel sizes are not measured for all shown restyled versions.

Which Volvo V40 version should you choose?

Choose the first-generation 1.7 MT if you want the lighter early Estate 5-door and can accept modest performance. Its 1225 kg kerb weight is 70 kg below the equivalent 1.7 AT, and it reaches 100 km/h in 11 seconds rather than 12.5 seconds. Its combined consumption is also 0.5 l/100 km lower.

For early-estate performance, choose the 200 hp 1.9 MT from the 1 generation or the 200 hp 2.0 MT from the restyling. Both reach 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds and 235 km/h. The earlier 1855 cc engine makes about 107.8 hp per litre; the restyled 1948 cc engine makes about 102.7 hp per litre. Fuel consumption is not measured for either version.

For second-generation economy, choose the 120 hp Diesel 2.0 MT rated at 3.2 l/100 km combined. It uses 2.3 l/100 km less than the 122 hp Gasoline 1.5 AT while giving up only 2 hp, although its 10.7-second acceleration time is 0.9 seconds slower.

For a balance of Diesel pace and economy in the restyled car, the 190 hp 2.0 MT is the strongest numerical compromise. It provides the range’s highest listed torque at 400 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, and uses 3.8 l/100 km combined. The 190 hp 2.0 AT is quicker by 0.2 seconds but heavier by 37 kg and consumes 0.4 l/100 km more.

For maximum performance, the decision splits by drive type. The 254 hp 2.5 AT is the fastest AWD choice, with a 6.1-second acceleration time and 250 km/h top speed. The restyled 245 hp 2.0 AT is the fastest FWD choice, reaching 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds and 240 km/h while using 2.0 l/100 km less fuel combined. Those figures make the 245 hp 2.0 AT the stronger efficiency-led performance choice, while the 254 hp 2.5 AT is the choice when AWD and the highest listed speed take priority.