Volvo V40 1.6

...starting with a lovely, quick Volvo 360 GLT, through the 4 series, S40, etc

I bought this V40 1.6 about 12 months ago as I 'needed' a car to get my dog around in after trading my Isuzu Trooper for a Mazda RX8. I didnt want to spend too much on a second car having just splashed out on the Mazda with the 'must have' toys', much to my wifes disaproval. After several fruitless searches of local garages I bumped into an old school friend ...
...or at least thats what Volvo call it but it is metallic blue to me. All in all, a nice motor to look at.

So we come to the inside.

As this is the Volvo V40 1.6, it is the base model in the range and you get exactly that. There are no fancy gadgets, no toys too play with, put simply it is functional. It is fitted with the usual features such as electric windows and mirrors, air con (pretty much standard nowadays), single ... more

I like Volvos. I would hope so now that I have owned 6 of them starting with a lovely, quick Volvo 360 GLT, through the 4 series, S40, etc

I bought this V40 1.6 about 12 months ago as I 'needed' a car to get my dog around in after trading my Isuzu Trooper for a Mazda RX8. I didnt want to spend too much on a second car having just splashed out on the Mazda with the 'must have' toys', much to my wifes disaproval. After several fruitless searches of local garages I bumped into an old school friend at the Volvo dealership who introuduced me to this car which they had just taken in. It seemed to fit the bill nicely. It was an estate, ideal for the dog, and was in the price bracket I was looking at. After a test drive, the deal was done

So, enough waffling, what are my views of the car. Lets look first at the exterior

The car is attractive to look at. It wont turn heads in the street but it also wont attract sniggers from groups of school kids either. It is fitted with alloy wheels and is metallic 'bamboo green', or at least thats what Volvo call it but it is metallic blue to me. All in all, a nice motor to look at.

So we come to the inside.

As this is the Volvo V40 1.6, it is the base model in the range and you get exactly that. There are no fancy gadgets, no toys too play with, put simply it is functional. It is fitted with the usual features such as electric windows and mirrors, air con (pretty much standard nowadays), single CD player, tape deck (does anybody use them anymore?), AM/FM radio, etc. In fact the fanciest gadget is the heated seats, great in the winter but very well used in the summer.

I would say the biggest drawback with the interior is the seat adjustment. I find it is very difficult to get a comfy seating position as the range of movements on the seat adjustment is limited, especially on the height adjustment. Now I am not tall at around 5' 10" but I still find that my head is touching the ceiling when the seat is on its lowest setting. However, the seats themselves give plenty of support on short, medium and long runs and the firmness of the upright of the seat can be adjusted from soft to firm by means of a lumbar support adjustment.

All in all, the interior is nothing to shout about but is is totally functional. After all, on this model you arent paying the price for ll those fancy extras

Now for the mechanical side and the drive

The V40 1.6 has a very nice, responsive power steering system and also a very good braking system. The car is front wheel drive and it handles brilliantly. It seems to stick to the road no matter what the conditions. In the winter snow, the car performed brilliantly. Whilst my Mazda (rear wheel drive, low profile tyres) struggled in the winter weather, and I mean struggled, the Volvo just dig into the snow and ploughed on regardless. Cannot fault its handling at all.

The engine though is a different matter. With hindsight, I wouldnt buy the 1.6 model in this car again. Whilst it is fine on the school run, the shopping run, the kids personal taxi run, etc, on a long journey the engine struggles. The 1.6 size engine is simply to small for a car like this. Put in a even a half luggage load and it really struggles to perform.. Pulling away from traffic lights, juctions etc is laborious. Put simply, the 1.6 is just too underpowered on this car.

Economy isnt great either. With a 1.6 you would expect a reasonably good MPG. On a normal tank of fuel i.e. general running around, the car is averaging approx 24-25mpg. On a good run you might touch 29-30mpg. again, this is simply down to the weight of the car against the engine capacity. 1.6 simply isnt big enough and it struggles

On the plus side, however, reliabilty has been excellent. The car has been serviced and MOT'd since we got it and no work needed doing. No faults, either minor or major, have occured and it runs smoothly

In conclusion, the V40 is a nice car, but the 1.6 is not a good engine choice for it. The fittings are basic, but functional, on this model and the car is very spacious. The handling/road holding is superb but MPG is nothing startling. Great for running around 'the doors' but the car does not perform on any sort of distance especially with a luggage load

Would I buy a V40 again? Well, yes I would but not with this engine and I would like some more 'toys' to play with!!! 

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