2006 Volvo S40 Consumer Reviews

great car to drive

Written by: Oleander on 08/04/2009

Vehicle

2006 Volvo S40 T5 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 5cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

This car hits the sweet spot for me: powerful due to 5 cylinder turbo (plus I have stick shift), fuel efficient, reliable and good looking. Now my issue is to keep it running forever because they are no longer selling the stick shift. I also have 4WD which is helfpul when it snows.

Favorite Features

5 cylinder turbo stick shift looks

Suggested Improvements

eliminate grinding noise when automatic 4WD hits snow

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Lemon

Written by: Kim, FL on 05/16/2009

Vehicle

2006 Volvo S40 2.4i 4dr Sedan (2.4L 5cyl 5M)

Review

Love the car, perfect for me being a college student. Fun and sporty and perfectly smooth ride, excellent interior design and comfort. However, within 2 years of owning the vehicle, I encountered numerous problems with it starting due to electronic faults and technological issues. Buy with caution to save yourself headaches.

Favorite Features

Sound system, premium seats, smooth ride, classy looking interior and exterior, flexible and decent trunk space for such a small car.

Suggested Improvements

Unfortunately many different issues with the car all related to electronics.

6 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Awesome Car

Written by: JMc on 04/16/2009

Vehicle

2006 Volvo S40 T5 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 5cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

I purchased this car with every bell and whistle available. I got the 6- speed manual transmission, and the car drives very sporty. With the exception of the initial smell from the vents, I love everything about this car! The car handles great and is comfortable. I average about 23 mpg. With the rear split seat folded down, I can fit 3 people and 3 sets of golf clubs. Other than routine maintenance and a few recalls, the vehicle has not been to the shop.

Favorite Features

The heated seats are probably my favorite feature, although the pop-up GPS is pretty nice too.

Suggested Improvements

Somehow figure out a way to eliminate that initial odor eminating from the vents. Although the smell can be purged in about 20 seconds with the windows down, it is a bit cold in the winter to do this.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Made From Volvonium

Written by: bbradley on 11/24/2008

Vehicle

2006 Volvo S40 T5 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

I bought the S40 T5 "slightly used" at the beginning of the year; it never let me down once. The car looks cool without being flashy and the interior is smartly designed. It just plain runs and is sturdy as an ox. It even has above-average pickup for such a tiny 4-door packed with so many options. Unfortunately, 10 months later due to some questionable road conditions I got intimate with a concrete wall. The Volvo wasn't exactly indestructible-- the entire driver's side was smashed in. I was a bit smashed in myself, but thankfully nothing permanent. I'm convinced that the Volvo saved my life. I'm driving a clunker today, but you can bet that I'll be a Volvo customer for life.

Favorite Features

Leather upholstery, center console, quiet cabin, sleek design, side airbags.

Suggested Improvements

Better fuel economy, smoother auto shifting, quieter defroster. I'm really nitpicking here. I might opt for AWD next time.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Great buy great ride

Written by: jeremybennett8 on 11/11/2008

Vehicle

2006 Volvo S40 T5 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 5cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

I bought my S40 used still under warranty after looking at buying a new one. The 6 speed is awesome and a great fuel saver. Power and handling are ample and safety features are unparalelled. Driven right you can have fun and get over 23 MPG. Be warned: spacial reasoning is a must. The trunk is hard to while backing up as are the rounded front corners. Factory premium sound will blow your ears off if you want it to. Nav system is good with steering wheel mounted controls, though this can be distracting at times. I recommend 17" wheels at the minimum to improve grip if you plan on driving aggressively.

Favorite Features

Power, handling, 6 speed, built-in nav, sound system

Suggested Improvements

Very little interior storage (glove box, center console), larger rear window

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Loving this Volvo

Written by: Justin on 10/10/2008

Vehicle

2006 Volvo S40 T5 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 5cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

I am in love with this Volvo. The car handles amazingly. It rides firm as if it were built for performance only, but doesn't loose the luxury car feel. The power of the turbo inline 5 is excellent, and handles the mountains of western PA like no other car I have owned.

Favorite Features

The performance and ride of the car coupled with the interior bells and whistles such as the 6 disk CD player with premium audio and doubly surround sound. The climate package is very convenient.

Suggested Improvements

I would, in general, like to see Volvo drop the price on their built in navigation system. Decent systems are much more affordable in other car makes (Nissan, Honda)

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Love it

Written by: FL driver on 09/29/2008

Vehicle

2006 Volvo S40 T5 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

A great ride overall, but lack of solution for ipod connectivity is very frustrating. Still recommend as a great value and a fun/sporty ride.

Favorite Features

Center console/stereo offer cute and innovative (nice and airy) design. Everything you need / nothing you don't. The turbo option is essential and makes driving much more fun. Also love to watch mpg options on dash

Suggested Improvements

iPod connectivity. Volvo offers no solution and this is quite a dissapointment

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Let down!

Written by: a.j. on 09/08/2008

Vehicle

2006 Volvo S40 2.4i 4dr Sedan (2.4L 5cyl 5M)

Review

This car is a gas hog! I sometimes have to fill my tank up 3 times a week. It is super slow since I didn't get the turbo. The first few months of driving the car the a/c broke and the software in the car had a glitch. The locks and the windows on my driver side would not work I had to crawl thru the passanger side. My a/c works now but it only gives you cool air not cold, so its really bad on a really hot summer day. The plastic linning in my door is pooping up, so everythime I try to get in the car I trip on the popping up plastic. I would not recomend this car to anyone, yeah its a good looking car but the quality is terrible. Very let down! I wish I never got this car, it's a lemon!

Favorite Features

The stereo is really nice. The way it looks inside and out are really clean and sharp.

Suggested Improvements

Gas mileage, a/c and the quality of the software that they use. I should not have to bring my brand new car back to the dealership the first week I bought it!

5 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Fun to drive; lacks pep though.

Written by: thechief on 09/03/2008

Vehicle

2006 Volvo S40 2.4i 4dr Sedan (2.4L 5cyl 5M)

Review

I was surprised when I first drove it. The handling feels great although it just needs a bit more power. After the first year, the car won't start after I filled up with gas so I had to call 24-hour roadside support (which I like).

Favorite Features

Good gas mileage, crisp handling, nice outside design, love the passion red color; 24-hour roadside support; my wife loves driving it too even if it has a stick shift; easy for her to park.

Suggested Improvements

Electricals specially the controls on the driver's side arm rest(door locks got stuck earlier when you do not close the door with a bang);

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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A fun car

Written by: Christy G. on 05/28/2008

Vehicle

2006 Volvo S40 2.4i 4dr Sedan (2.4L 5cyl 5M)

Review

I'm a loyal Volvo owner (have owned an '87 and '90 station wagons) and I love this car. I did have some set- backs in the beginning - electrical plug blew a fuse after barely being used, A/C started blowing out hot air mid-summer, then the foot fan stopped working. Currently experience a popping noise when turning every once in a while - still hasn't been corrected. Gas mileage is okay - not as great as my VW Golf, of course. I'm hoping for a Volvo hybrid!

Favorite Features

Styling - cute and sporty, faux wood paneling, cup holders, deep trunk, A/C and heat is great (since being fixed), leather interior, 6-CD changer, auto- up/down window controls, unique A/C & stereo control panel, approach safety light, back seat arm rest, signal light on side mirrors, comfortable!

Suggested Improvements

Wider trunk opening (for large boxed items), blind spots with the A- and C- pillars, A/C and electrical issues, limited field of vision with back headrests, don't like the look of the brushed metal - looks cheap, needs a change receptacle, more leg room in back, touchy signal.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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