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2000
Volvo S40

Starts at:
$23,400
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Available trims

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  • A 4dr Sdn
    Starts at
    $23,400
    21 City / 28 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Turbo Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • AS 4dr Sdn w/Sunroof
    Starts at
    $23,400
    21 City / 28 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Turbo Gas I4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

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Expert 2000 Volvo S40 review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By Anita And Paul Lienert
Full article
our expert's take

We’ve driven our share of world cars. But what would you think of a Swedish-brand sedan, owned by an American company, that’s built in the Netherlands, with technical assistance from a Japanese partner?

That tongue-in-cheek description of Volvo’s new S40 and its companion V40 wagon doesn’t tell the whole story. The 40-series cars share their basic underpinnings with the Mitsubishi Carisma, which is not sold in this country. To Volvo’s credit, the new compacts strongly reflect their Swedish heritage, in terms of design cues and outstanding safety features.

He: The 40-series cars have been in production for several years at Nedcar, which is the Dutch joint venture between Volvo and Mitsubishi. But I didn’t get my first chance to drive the sedan and wagon until last summer, just before they were introduced here in the United States. No question these are Volvos through and through. But I had a few quibbles back then, and a recent extended drive in the S40 only underscored those concerns. First, the S40 is small – a foot shorter than the Camry – and it feels a little cramped in the back seat. Second, it comes with only a single engine and transmission – a turbo charged 1.9-liter four-cylinder that delivers 160 horsepower and is mated to a four-speed automatic.

She: Jeez, you’re so technical. I was ready to get all emotional about the S40. In fact, it reminds me of my old navy-blue flannel pajamas with the angels on them.

He: You mean the ones with the side air bags?

She: No, I mean the ones that are so comforting. But let me explain. For part of the time we had the S40, you were in the hospital. I had my choice of several test vehicles, including ones with tons of confusing buttons and levers.

He: I always hated those really complicated pajamas.

She: You’re just afraid I’m going to get all gushy so you’re trying to interrupt. Anyway, I always took the S40 on the hour-long drive to the hospital. I just find it the perfect car for women who want to get in a vehicle and feel like they trust it. And it was also the right size for me. I felt alone that week, and that S40 was my trusty companion. It was right up there with my parents and my best friend Pam in getting me through that trying week. Here’s who I think would feel really great in that car: Widows who aren’t on a fixed income; young single women who appreciate vehicles with throw back charm and don’t have anything to prove to guys by buying a truck; and young ladies, in the classic sense of the word.

He: OK, sounds like you’ve just described the official poster car of the Red Cross. Just what every guy is looking for in personal transportation, right? But I think you may be doing Volvo a disservice by describing its limited appeal to women. The S40 rides and handles like a Volvo, which is a compliment. It also looks like a Volvo, and has those great safety features, including standard antilock brakes and a full complement of air bags. At a base price of around $23,000, it’s a pretty nice package. But our test car was loaded with another $5,500 worth of options, including such marginal stuff as a sunroof and a trip computer. Spare me some of the goodies and keep the price down, and this is not such a bad deal. But when the sticker starts pushing 30 grand, I’d much rather own and drive a Passat, which I think is the best in this class.

She: What you’re saying is that you have room to maneuver, price-wise, with this vehicle. What you’re forgetting is the great warranty – 48 months or 50,000 miles – which is the same as a Lexus LS400 and twice as long as the Passat’s 24/24 warranty. That’s something that is going to be important to a lot of women. And let’s not forget looks. Where the Camry and some other mid-size sedans are cookie-cutter generic, the S40 has good enough looks to have earned it an Italian design award. And you know how fussy those Italians are.

He: I know how funny those Polish women are. Now only Volvo could trim this car in blue flannel and put angels on the side.

2000 Volvo S40

Anita’s rating: world class

Paul’s rating: above average

Likes: The look and feel of a Volvo, only in a smaller, cheaper package. Great warranty. Attractive design with classic Volvo styling cues. Exceptional safety features, including standard side air bags. The only Dutch-built car sold in North America.

Dislikes: No six-cylinder option. No manual transmission. Options can push sticker to nearly $30,000. Smaller inside than you’d think.

Type: Front-engine, front-wheel drive, five-passenger sedan.

Price: Base, $22,900; as tested, $28,452 (inc. $575 destination charge).

Engine: 1.9-liter I-4; 160-hp; 170 lb-ft torque.

EPA fuel economy: 21 mpg city/28 mpg highway.

12-month insurance cost, according to AAA Michigan*: $1,158 (*Estimate. Rates may be higher or lower, depending on coverage and driving record.)

Where built: Born, Netherlands

2000 Volvo S40 review: Our expert's take
By Anita And Paul Lienert

We’ve driven our share of world cars. But what would you think of a Swedish-brand sedan, owned by an American company, that’s built in the Netherlands, with technical assistance from a Japanese partner?

That tongue-in-cheek description of Volvo’s new S40 and its companion V40 wagon doesn’t tell the whole story. The 40-series cars share their basic underpinnings with the Mitsubishi Carisma, which is not sold in this country. To Volvo’s credit, the new compacts strongly reflect their Swedish heritage, in terms of design cues and outstanding safety features.

He: The 40-series cars have been in production for several years at Nedcar, which is the Dutch joint venture between Volvo and Mitsubishi. But I didn’t get my first chance to drive the sedan and wagon until last summer, just before they were introduced here in the United States. No question these are Volvos through and through. But I had a few quibbles back then, and a recent extended drive in the S40 only underscored those concerns. First, the S40 is small – a foot shorter than the Camry – and it feels a little cramped in the back seat. Second, it comes with only a single engine and transmission – a turbo charged 1.9-liter four-cylinder that delivers 160 horsepower and is mated to a four-speed automatic.

She: Jeez, you’re so technical. I was ready to get all emotional about the S40. In fact, it reminds me of my old navy-blue flannel pajamas with the angels on them.

He: You mean the ones with the side air bags?

She: No, I mean the ones that are so comforting. But let me explain. For part of the time we had the S40, you were in the hospital. I had my choice of several test vehicles, including ones with tons of confusing buttons and levers.

He: I always hated those really complicated pajamas.

She: You’re just afraid I’m going to get all gushy so you’re trying to interrupt. Anyway, I always took the S40 on the hour-long drive to the hospital. I just find it the perfect car for women who want to get in a vehicle and feel like they trust it. And it was also the right size for me. I felt alone that week, and that S40 was my trusty companion. It was right up there with my parents and my best friend Pam in getting me through that trying week. Here’s who I think would feel really great in that car: Widows who aren’t on a fixed income; young single women who appreciate vehicles with throw back charm and don’t have anything to prove to guys by buying a truck; and young ladies, in the classic sense of the word.

He: OK, sounds like you’ve just described the official poster car of the Red Cross. Just what every guy is looking for in personal transportation, right? But I think you may be doing Volvo a disservice by describing its limited appeal to women. The S40 rides and handles like a Volvo, which is a compliment. It also looks like a Volvo, and has those great safety features, including standard antilock brakes and a full complement of air bags. At a base price of around $23,000, it’s a pretty nice package. But our test car was loaded with another $5,500 worth of options, including such marginal stuff as a sunroof and a trip computer. Spare me some of the goodies and keep the price down, and this is not such a bad deal. But when the sticker starts pushing 30 grand, I’d much rather own and drive a Passat, which I think is the best in this class.

She: What you’re saying is that you have room to maneuver, price-wise, with this vehicle. What you’re forgetting is the great warranty – 48 months or 50,000 miles – which is the same as a Lexus LS400 and twice as long as the Passat’s 24/24 warranty. That’s something that is going to be important to a lot of women. And let’s not forget looks. Where the Camry and some other mid-size sedans are cookie-cutter generic, the S40 has good enough looks to have earned it an Italian design award. And you know how fussy those Italians are.

He: I know how funny those Polish women are. Now only Volvo could trim this car in blue flannel and put angels on the side.

2000 Volvo S40

Anita’s rating: world class

Paul’s rating: above average

Likes: The look and feel of a Volvo, only in a smaller, cheaper package. Great warranty. Attractive design with classic Volvo styling cues. Exceptional safety features, including standard side air bags. The only Dutch-built car sold in North America.

Dislikes: No six-cylinder option. No manual transmission. Options can push sticker to nearly $30,000. Smaller inside than you’d think.

Type: Front-engine, front-wheel drive, five-passenger sedan.

Price: Base, $22,900; as tested, $28,452 (inc. $575 destination charge).

Engine: 1.9-liter I-4; 160-hp; 170 lb-ft torque.

EPA fuel economy: 21 mpg city/28 mpg highway.

12-month insurance cost, according to AAA Michigan*: $1,158 (*Estimate. Rates may be higher or lower, depending on coverage and driving record.)

Where built: Born, Netherlands

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
4 years / 50,000 miles
Corrosion
8 years
Powertrain
4 years / 50,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
4 years

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
Less than 5 years / less than 80,000 miles
Basic
5 years / unlimited miles , upgradeable up to 10 years
Dealer certification
170- plus point inspection

Consumer reviews

3.7 / 5
Based on 13 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.3
Interior 3.8
Performance 3.9
Value 3.8
Exterior 4.0
Reliability 3.8

Most recent

  • Best value and safety!

    I have currently owned this car for over 6 months and have really enjoyed this 2000 Volvo S40. I purchased it with 98k miles for $2300 and put in some work with the help of my mechanic partner (oil change, replace a fuse in the dash, battery replaced, and timing belt change). It has been so reliable and safe during 2 minor fender benders, with nothing more than a tiny scratch both times! I am a professional nanny so I am always taking the kids around to where they need to be, it's not very spacious for twins in booster seats with and 8 year old in between - and for the purpose that I am needing more space I am going to need to upgrade to a mid size vehicle quickly! I love that this car makes me feel safe, has great handling, and is so dependable!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • This is the WORST car

    I bought this car about 2 years ago, and from the moment I bought it it's been a nightmare. There are fuel system problems that mechanics can't even figure out what's wrong. I've heard it could be the fuel pump relay, but no one seems to know where that is and from what I've found it doesn't seem to exist. When I stop the car I have to wait at least 30 minutes to start it again without a fight. This makes getting gas an absolute nightmare, and I've been cussed out by other drivers when getting gas at busy times. To start it again before it's had time to regroup, I have to hold the gas, putting it in WOT. Sometimes when I start the car from cold it surges, other times it sounds like it's struggling to even get going. The drive itself isn't terrible once the car gets going, but if your windows are tinted and you're at all short there are ridiculous blind spots. On the other hand, even if you're short this car is insanely small. I'm 4'11" and hit my head getting out of it all the time. Speaking of small, it can't hold anything. Even small Rubbermaid totes I have to wrestle into the backseat because of the shape of the door opening. The trunk wasn't much better -- that is, before it broke. Thankfully it broke stuck closed instead of open. I found out recently that my stuck-closed trunk also leaks like no other, so that's just fantastic. Overall, this car was terrible enough to put me off of Volvo for a very long time. Sure, it's got over 200,000 miles so it's lived a nice long life, but the quality of life isn't anywhere near good.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 2.0
    Performance 2.0
    Value 1.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 1.0
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  • Great car! Expensive Parts and Repairs

    This is a great car for someone who either knows a mechanic or knows a good amount of knowledge about cars. I bought my S40 back in 08. It had 94,000 miles on it. It now has 162,000 miles on it. It is very reliable. Never stopped on me but repairs can be very exhausting. Engine mounts tend to go bad, transmission issues can arise, and emissions are a headache. Shocks and struts go bad pretty quickly as well. My favorite features was all of the bells and whistles in the interior. Power seats, power windows, heated seats, sunroof, arm rest, and leather. One thing I hated the most was the location of the cup holder, in the dash under the radio. The worst cup holder I ever seen.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 4.0
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  • I am very disappointed...

    I have a green 2000 Volvo S40. We purchased the car in November of 2009. First problem was the balljoints need to be replaced. second problem-the check engine light kept coming on. Now, I've read a few reviews that say that the check engine light coming on isn't uncommon in any volvo, and at first i thought, maybe it's something to do with the emissions, or a dirty gascap, something like that...but recently(2011), it's been coming on more frequently, and now every once and awhile, the car won't start. I 'googled' this problem and found that it might be the 'Neutral safety switch'. It will be paid off in August, and I was thinking about taking it in for the costly repair work, but my mother said, it turned out to be a lemon, and I should trade it in for a newer car with less miles on it. It has 113,000 miles. Really, if it would atleast start every single time, I wouldn't complain, but when you have a job, and you are dependent on a vehicle... If money is not a problem, than by all means, go for it,But make sure you have a few thousand for repair costs just in case. my first car was a 1997 Toyota tercel, which i'm giving to my younger brother. It has 158,000 miles on it, still runs great (though, its not built for speed or power), and has had NO problems. I That is the IDEAL first car. Its simple. no bells/whistle, and will last FOREVER! very dependable. Volvo has style, but not very reliable. I can admit, I was sold on style.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 2.0
    Value 2.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 1.0
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  • Very reliable and economical Volvo

    Purchased it in 2009 with onle 11.000 miles on it from an older lady, now the S40 has 21000 miles on it and drives great. Very economical and reliable, we did not have any problems with this car. Very safe car! The Volvo S40 is comortable enough for long road trips, the automatic transmission is a bit slow, but very smooth. We also have a Volvo V50 and a S60, we love our Volvos.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
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  • What a piece of junk!!!

    This is one car I will never recommend. This was my first and last Volvo. Bought it new. Every thing that can fail will do so in that car. You have to keep changing brake pads all the time. According to Volvo, this is normal. You also have to change the light bulbs every other week!!! I am not kidding. I just stopped changing them, so I can only drive that trash by day. At night I am blind. The sensors need also to be changed regularly, and each time you take that car for service, you end up creating another problem. The paint peels off, the visor does not stay put, the car makes noises like if a ghost lived in it. You get the drift... Stay away from Volvos. I talked to a friend of mine who has one too, and he cannot wait to get rid of it.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 1.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 1.0
    0 people out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Most economic car

    When we moved from Florida to Geaorgia we used a tank and a half of gas eventhough the car was loaded. We recommend this model. Go for it!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
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  • Suprise By its performance

    I live in New york My son goe to college in nashville Tn. I drove this car almost 1000 mile in a day . I stop only 3 times for gas when the tank was half full. I was able to pass any tuck if need .I can't beleive how well this car perform going from Ny to Tennasse.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
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  • Great Starter Car

    I've only had my S40 for a few months but I love it. The only REALLY annoying thing is that my dad locked the radio on accident and you have to leave the car running for 2 hours before you can try to reset it...and that's nearly impossible. I feel very safe when I'm driving my Volvo and that's the most important thing to me. Sure the insurance is a bit much, but it's totally worth it! I know I'll be able to trust my car for years to come :)
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
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  • Affordable Luxury

    This car looks small from the outside but has a very spacious interior. I'm 5'5" and my husband is 6'4" and we can both drive it comfortably. We bought it as a 3rd car, but it's quickly become the favorite. The trunk is HUGE! I love the fact that the seats fold down to allow for even more versatility. Handling and performance are wonderful, but my kids would argue that the sunroof and heated seats are the car's best features. Even though mine was just purchased, and it's got some years on it, this car is beautiful and still turns heads. I'm ready to replace one of the other cars with a newer model!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Good over car

    I myself am also 17 and i've had this car for almost a year now and i like it a lot..unlike other cars i've drivin, the S40 along with any other of vovlo's modles, are a very solid cars and holds the road very well, .. the 1.9L Turbo (160hp) is nice..even though it's not a huge engine..
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Most Reliable Car I've Owned

    although wehn my rents first said i was gettin a volvo i was skeptical.. i enjoy everysingle car ride in my volvie!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2000 Volvo S40?

The 2000 Volvo S40 is available in 1 trim level:

  • (2 styles)

What is the MPG of the 2000 Volvo S40?

The 2000 Volvo S40 offers up to 21 MPG in city driving and 28 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

Is the 2000 Volvo S40 reliable?

The 2000 Volvo S40 has an average reliability rating of 3.8 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2000 Volvo S40 owners.

Is the 2000 Volvo S40 a good Sedan?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2000 Volvo S40. 76.9% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

3.7 / 5
Based on 13 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.3
  • Interior: 3.8
  • Performance: 3.9
  • Value: 3.8
  • Exterior: 4.0
  • Reliability: 3.8
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