2009 Volvo S40 / V50 Review

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The Volvo S40 2.4i ($28,550) and V50 2.4i ($29,800) are powered by a 2.4-liter five-cylinder engine generating 168 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. Volvo's Geartronic five-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift feature is now standard in both models. Other standard equipment includes air conditioning with cabin filtration, power windows and door locks with remote locking, cruise control, and a tilt-telescoping leather steering wheel with audio controls. Added for 2009 are a 160-watt, 8-speaker sound system with 6-disc in-dash CD player, MP3 capability, and auxiliary input; Sirius satellite radio; aluminum-inlay interior trim: power glass sunroof; fog lights; power driver's seat; Bluetooth; and 17-inch, seven-twin-spoke Spartacus wheels. The Climate Package ($675) adds heated front seats, headlight washers and rain-sensing wipers. Stand-alone options include metallic paint ($525), leather seating ($1,200), and Nordic Light Oak interior inlays ($150) instead of aluminum.

The S40 T5 ($32,350) sedan has a slightly larger 2.5-liter turbocharged version of the five-cylinder engine. Output increases to 227 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The T5 models also come with the five-speed automatic transmission, automatic climate control and, for 2009, the new esthetic treatment Volvo calls R-Design, featuring body-color spoilers and side skirts; and a two-tone (black/crème) leather-and-fabric interior treatment that also includes blue-faced instruments and other unique trim. Functional standard equipment includes all the features added to the 2.4i for 2009, plus memory for the driver's seat, heated front seats, and auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass.

The S40 T5 AWD sedan ($33,800) and V50 T5 AWD wagon ($35,500) add Volvo's full-time variable all-wheel-drive system. The wagon now comes with standard aluminum roof rails as well. T5 options include Keyless Drive ($450), HDD navigation ($2,205), and a Dynaudio stereo ($895) with two amplifiers, 12 speakers, and Dolby Pro Logic II Surround Sound. An all-leather, solid-color interior is also available ($200). Midir 18-inch wheels ($750) are offered for the front-drive T5 sedan.

Safety features include front-impact airbags, torso-protecting side-impact airbags for front passengers, and head-protecting curtains for all outboard passengers. All models come with antilock brakes and Volvo's Dynamic Stability Traction Control (DSTC), which senses and then tries to correct a potential skid. Volvo's Whiplash Seat Protection System, or WHIPS, uses specially designed seats to minimize potential for neck injuries in a rear-end impact. Volvo's Automatic Hazard Warning starts the emergency flashers in the event of a collision. A tire pressure monitor is also standard.

Optional safety features include Volvo's Blind Spot Information System, or BLIS ($695), which warns the driver of nearby vehicles that might not be visible in the mirrors. Active Bi-Xenon headlights ($800) point into curves and remain level over bumpy surfaces. Built-in, height-adjustable child booster seats ($300) are available in the wagons.