Used 2004 Volvo V40
Pros & Cons
- Strong complement of safety features, affordable base price, smooth turbo engine, usable cargo space.
- No manual transmission offered, lacks sporting intentions, pricing can quickly escalate with optional equipment installed.
Other years
Edmunds' Expert Review
Though loaded with safety equipment, the V40 is hampered by its small size and aging underpinnings.
2004 Highlights
The V40 remains largely unchanged for the 2004 model year although an upscale LSE trim version is added. There are also minor revisions to the front fascia, and the audio system now comes prewired for a CD changer, whereas last year's version required an owner to purchase that option.
Scorecard
| Overall | undefined / 5 |
Also consider these sponsored cars
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2004 Volvo V40.
Trending topics in reviews
- interior
- comfort
- appearance
- fuel efficiency
- seats
- driving experience
- safety
- electrical system
- ride quality
- off-roading
- brakes
- warranty
- transmission
- lights
- oil
- maintenance & parts
- engine
- sound system
- infotainment system
- value
- handling & steering
- towing
- reliability & manufacturing quality
- spaciousness
- wheels & tires
Most helpful consumer reviews
3/5 stars, 280,000 miles and going strong
Fishhead,
4dr Wagon (1.9L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
First: This is my first Volvo. I (mostly) do my own work and I bought the car with 90,000 miles on it. Its a Volvo, it has it's demons, the dealership is the greatest of those demons, avoid going there at all costs. Find a good independent Volvo garage. I love this car, for the price I paid, and the miles put on it. That would not be the case if I had to bring it to a garage. Over the 5 years I have owned it I have replaced the brake pads, rotors, plugs, battery, front and rear struts, tie rods, tires, transmission, front speakers, various dashboard lights (now it's like new!). The check engine light is always on (catylitic converter). I live with it. This car is great on the highway (29 mpg). It prefers Premium gasoline. Leather seats and interior is very comfy (for a single guy) if you drive a lot... and you can fit 5 2x4x10's inside with practice. This model year (2001-2004) is known for weak transmissions (2001-2002 especially) (I blew my transmission towing a heavy load - not the cars falt), a poor steering rack (you have to remove the engine to replace it) and vacuum leaks that can drive you nuts. I live in new England and this is the first car I have owned with this many miles with NO RUST. I think the poor transmission is why there are so few of these on the road in the states - the cost to replace is the replacement cost at this point. I am looking for another used one, 2004 if possible with low miles-at 1.8 cents per mile for my purchase price its a great value.
5/5 stars, Volvo replaces a winner
siwanoy,
4dr Wagon (1.9L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
I don't understand why Volvo replaced
this pure winner in 2005. We went
shopping for a Mini or something similar
to offset the gas guzzling mileage of
our SUVs and found this V40 wagon small
enough, wonderfully fuel efficient
(occasionally averaging 30 mpgs for a
tankful), with quality fit and finish
and ever so much more practical than
compact sedans. It is responsive in
every way, has been great in the snow,
and is fun to drive. It is the perfect
car for an empty nest couple who still
need to move things from place to place
and are still young enough to want a
great driving drive vehicle.
3.625/5 stars, Bitter-Sweet Feelings for the Vovo V40
BrainEdge,
LSE 4dr Wagon (1.9L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
On the first long trip, the engine light came up. Then again, and again. For the first 2000 miles drive, the car was 15 days in the dealership service bay. Then, the best feature of its turbo was not set right. The dash lights keep coming up every now and then without any pattern. Still not fully 'exorcised' and the warranty is over. I will probably never buy a Volvo again, safety or no safety! If your car transmission dies suddenly on a freeway, I don't know how you call it safe or reliable. But only one thing I like about it, the peppy turbo charged engine. Muscle car drivers hate its guts!
4.375/5 stars, Transmission issue
logiclane,
4dr Wagon (1.9L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
I have 37,000 miles on mine, and it has been a great car for highway travel. I too have had the transmission hangup issue, which the dealer was able to diagnose and replace the shift control unit under warranty. I drive on the highway quite a bit, and like the solid, heavy feel of the car without it driving like a tank.
FAQ
Is the Volvo V40 a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2004 V40 both on the road and at the track. You probably care about Volvo V40 fuel economy, so it's important to know that the V40 gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the V40 has 33.5 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Volvo V40. Learn more
Is the Volvo V40 reliable?
To determine whether the Volvo V40 is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the V40. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the V40's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2004 Volvo V40 a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2004 Volvo V40 is a good car. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2004 V40 is a good car for you. Check back soon for the official Edmunds Rating from our expert testing team Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2004 Volvo V40?
The least-expensive 2004 Volvo V40 is the 2004 Volvo V40 4dr Wagon (1.9L 4cyl Turbo 5A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $25,700.
Other versions include:
- 4dr Wagon (1.9L 4cyl Turbo 5A) which starts at $25,700
- LSE 4dr Wagon (1.9L 4cyl Turbo 5A) which starts at $29,845
What are the different models of Volvo V40?
If you're interested in the Volvo V40, the next question is, which V40 model is right for you? V40 variants include 4dr Wagon (1.9L 4cyl Turbo 5A), and LSE 4dr Wagon (1.9L 4cyl Turbo 5A). For a full list of V40 models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more