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2003
Volvo S40

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$23,900
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2003 Volvo S40

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Expert 2003 Volvo S40 review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By Cars.com editors
Full article
our expert's take

Posted on 10/17/02
Vehicle Overview
Volvo’s compact S40 sedan and its V40 wagon companion receive a mild freshening that includes a new grille, headlight surrounds and body-colored moldings for the 2003 model year. A new three-spoke steering wheel will be installed, and a CD player is now standard.

Volvo steers the S40 toward younger buyers, while the Swedish automaker’s other models generally focus more toward an older crowd. Developed jointly with Mitsubishi, the entry-level S40 sedan and V40 wagon are built in the Netherlands at a shared manufacturing facility. Ford wholly owns Volvo, but the S40 was developed prior to Ford’s takeover.

Like other Volvos, the S40 emphasizes safety. Standard curtain-type airbags extend from the front roof pillar to the rear pillar and drop down from above the windows in side collisions.

Exterior
The S40’s 100.9-inch wheelbase is 6 inches shorter than Volvo’s larger S60 sedan, and it stands more than 2 inches shorter at 56 inches tall. The S40 is slightly longer than the Toyota Corolla at 177.8 inches overall. A trademark Volvo grille with chrome vertical bars sits up front. Character lines run through the hood and along the bodysides like those on Volvo’s models.

Interior
Front occupants get bucket seats, and three-point seat belts are installed for all five seating positions. Cloth seating is standard, and leather upholstery and a power sunroof are offered as optional equipment. The S40’s cargo volume is 13.2 cubic feet, and the three-place, 70/30-split rear seat folds to produce additional cargo space. Standard equipment includes air conditioning, power windows and door locks, cruise control, a cassette player and an immobilizer theft-deterrent system.

Under the Hood
A turbocharged, 170-horsepower, 1.9-liter four-cylinder engine mates with a five-speed-automatic transmission. Volvo claims the S40 can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds.

Safety
Antilock brakes, curtain-type airbags and side-impact airbags for the front seats are standard. Volvo’s Whiplash Protection System moves the front seats rearward during a collision.

Driving Impressions
Nearly all the pleasures of driving a bigger Volvo can be found in the S40 sedan or V40 wagon, but for a markedly lower price. Those benefits include a generally satisfying ride, precise handling, quiet and refined behavior, energetic performance and an overall sense of solidity.

 

Reported by Jim Flammang  for cars.com
From the cars.com 2003 Buying Guide

2003 Volvo S40 review: Our expert's take

Posted on 10/17/02
Vehicle Overview
Volvo’s compact S40 sedan and its V40 wagon companion receive a mild freshening that includes a new grille, headlight surrounds and body-colored moldings for the 2003 model year. A new three-spoke steering wheel will be installed, and a CD player is now standard.

Volvo steers the S40 toward younger buyers, while the Swedish automaker’s other models generally focus more toward an older crowd. Developed jointly with Mitsubishi, the entry-level S40 sedan and V40 wagon are built in the Netherlands at a shared manufacturing facility. Ford wholly owns Volvo, but the S40 was developed prior to Ford’s takeover.

Like other Volvos, the S40 emphasizes safety. Standard curtain-type airbags extend from the front roof pillar to the rear pillar and drop down from above the windows in side collisions.

Exterior
The S40’s 100.9-inch wheelbase is 6 inches shorter than Volvo’s larger S60 sedan, and it stands more than 2 inches shorter at 56 inches tall. The S40 is slightly longer than the Toyota Corolla at 177.8 inches overall. A trademark Volvo grille with chrome vertical bars sits up front. Character lines run through the hood and along the bodysides like those on Volvo’s models.

Interior
Front occupants get bucket seats, and three-point seat belts are installed for all five seating positions. Cloth seating is standard, and leather upholstery and a power sunroof are offered as optional equipment. The S40’s cargo volume is 13.2 cubic feet, and the three-place, 70/30-split rear seat folds to produce additional cargo space. Standard equipment includes air conditioning, power windows and door locks, cruise control, a cassette player and an immobilizer theft-deterrent system.

Under the Hood
A turbocharged, 170-horsepower, 1.9-liter four-cylinder engine mates with a five-speed-automatic transmission. Volvo claims the S40 can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds.

Safety
Antilock brakes, curtain-type airbags and side-impact airbags for the front seats are standard. Volvo’s Whiplash Protection System moves the front seats rearward during a collision.

Driving Impressions
Nearly all the pleasures of driving a bigger Volvo can be found in the S40 sedan or V40 wagon, but for a markedly lower price. Those benefits include a generally satisfying ride, precise handling, quiet and refined behavior, energetic performance and an overall sense of solidity.

 

Reported by Jim Flammang  for cars.com
From the cars.com 2003 Buying Guide

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

4.4 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.2
Interior 3.9
Performance 4.2
Value 4.4
Exterior 4.3
Reliability 4.1

Most recent

  • better than a golf

    had this car for 6 months and its been great , a lot better than a vw golf,which was the car i had before this one,fuel consumption around town is in the low 20 s but on a run its about 45 to 50 to the gallon
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Reliable, fun little car to drive.

    I have driven a Volvo S40 for almost four years now and have had little to no issues with it. I purchased with over 100k on it, and had to do some maintenance, but nothing more than you'd expect from a car with that many miles.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • It's got character.

    Definitely love this car. It's good in the corners, and has a fair amount of power. Transmission is better than previous volvo's. It's got a little charm to it. My parents got this car in 2005 (we have a 2004 model) with 20,000 miles. It was handed to me and now the car now has 163,000 miles and yes, things have had to be replaced (suspension, alternator, bushings, basic wear-items), but the car still runs like new. Overall, very good car. However, if I could have done it differently; I would have bought an S60R. One last thing. This car is driven every day, nearly 100 miles each day, and it's not driven lightly. Definitely reliable in my book.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • RE:Did not grow up to the VOLVO name,

    Did not grow up to the VOLVO name, That's probably the reason it was for sale in the first place. Not all VOLVO's Are like that. It was either a bad apple, or the previous owner(s) got into an accident and tried to fix it chep before they sold it.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • I love this car!

    I've had this car for 7 years now and love it just as much today as when I drove it off the lot. It has never had any problems except for a cracked knob on the radio. I'll be the first to admit that I am terrible at keeping up with scheduled maintenance and it still runs great! It's a lot of fun to drive, is easy to park, has great safety features, and gets great gas mileage. It's my first Volvo, but it won't be my last!
    • Purchased a New car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    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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  • Did not grow up to the VOLVO name

    Too many mechanical problems. Looks like some one just rushed it through the production. Two inside door handles came off. Too many loose nuts and bolts. Plastic guard underneath the engine fell down within the first year. The liner beneath the front bumper too low and broke off in the first Chicago snow storm. Keeps changing light bulbs every month. Too many problems with the power antenna. I like the handling of the car and the sporty feeling.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 2.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • I like this car.

    I really like this car. It's not the most stylish on the road, but it has been a reliable car. I like the turbo and the way it performs on the highway. The ride is a little stiff and it has more cabin noise than some other cars. Steering and handling are very good. Good turning ratio. Comfortable seats and easy to use instruments. Gets good mileage. I would recommend it, and I would buy it again, or replace it with the same but newer model.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 3.0
    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 2003 Volvo S40?

The 2003 Volvo S40 is available in 1 trim level:

  • (1 style)

What is the MPG of the 2003 Volvo S40?

The 2003 Volvo S40 offers up to 22 MPG in city driving and 30 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 2003 Volvo S40 reliable?

The 2003 Volvo S40 has an average reliability rating of 4.1 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2003 Volvo S40 owners.

Is the 2003 Volvo S40 a good Sedan?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2003 Volvo S40. 85.7% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.4 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.2
  • Interior: 3.9
  • Performance: 4.2
  • Value: 4.4
  • Exterior: 4.3
  • Reliability: 4.1
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