ROAD TEST
VOLVO V40

I applaud the rounded, "Euro-cool" styling of the Volvo V40 station wagon, but what really caught my eye were all the smart little ideas spread around this Honda Accord/Toyota Camry/Volkswagen Passat/Saturn LS/Subaru Legacy challenger.

For instance, the cargo net behind the rear seat is designed to prevent luggage from flying forward and wiping out occupants in a crash. Seems like a little thing, right? I thought so until a friend of mine nearly had his head taken off by his own briefcase when his car (not a Volvo) was violently smacked from behind. 

The front-wheel-drive V40's standard front and side airbags and seatbelt pretensioners for front-seat occupants would not have saved his noggin in that rear-ender. Nor would have the V40's standard WHIPS (whiplash protection system), SIPS (side-impact protection system), and ABS (anti-lock braking). Even if his car had been equipped with Volvo's Dynamic Stability Assistance traction-and-stability control system (a $500 option), it would have made no difference. What he needed was a net to hold his briefcase in place. 

Obviously the V40 ($30,995) is loaded with the kind of safety stuff you'd expect from Volvo. So is the V40's sedan sibling, the S40 ($29,995). But given the choice, I'd take the wagon. It's a manageable, yet versatile size, with enough room for a family of four and their camping gear. Call it the antidote to the minivan -although be warned that back seat space is really suitable only for kids.

But if you do need more cargo room for hauling odds and ends home from the building supply store, just fold-down the 70/30 split rear bench (with the seat-bottom cushions that fold forward to allow for a flat load floor) and you double the cargo space. The only negative I can offer is the tall 19.8 centimetre (7.8-inch) lip at the rear. That's high compared to other wagons. On the other hand, the V40 has more cargo space that the Saturn LS wagon, one of its key rivals. 

And for my money, the five-door V40 is perhaps the best looking station wagon you can buy in Canada today. I love this look. It's rounded and clean, with thin door pillars to enhance outward visibility. My tester arrived in brilliant yellow, not a colour I'd choose for my own car, but Volvo Canada does offer other shades - including a beautiful Atlantic Blue metallic for an extra $300. The Dutch-made V40 was a 1996 European introduction, so give credit to the stylists for penning such an enduringly attractive shape. 

Inside, the wagon and sedan share a clean cockpit design. If you like the interior layout of the V70 or S70, you'll be right at home in these smaller Volvos. In fact, some have described the V and S40 as four-fifths scale versions of the bigger Volvo family members. I wouldn't disagree. The intelligent simplicity of the instruments and controls is something to be applauded. "Clap, clap." Note, too, that all five seating positions come with three-point belts.

For power, the only engine for the 40-series cars is a turbocharged, 1.9-liter four-banger rated at 160 horsepower. This powerplant supplies surprisingly balanced oomph. Acceleration is pretty much on par with V6-powered rivals and considerably better than what you get from competitive cars with non-turbo four-cylinder engines. Look for 0-100 km/h times of about 8.5 seconds from a wagon that tips the scales at 1,280 kg. (2,821 lbs.)

The only transmission is a five-speed automatic. That may be a problem for some buyers who look for manual gearboxes in their European cars. It wasn't for me, however. I felt the five-speed autobox did an excellent job of carving up and distributing available power.

In everyday driving, the V40 delivered very good handling and balance. The chassis isn't quite as rigid as some other European cars in this class (such as the Mercedes-Benz C-class, the BMW 3-series and so on), but I'd argue the V40 is at least as stiff if not stiffer than the best North American and Japanese models positioned against this Volvo. 

Zipping through traffic, the V40 is nimble and in cornering there's not very much body lean. The steering? It's accurate, though not quite as sharp as the BMW 3-series. Still, the steering it's tighter and more precise than what you get in a Subaru Legacy and a Toyota Camry. Braking from the all-disc layout was strong, sure and easy to modulate. Repeated hard stops failed to uncover any significant fade.

Volvo's marketing people say they are aiming the V40 and S40 at well educated folks in their late 20s to mid-40s who have professional jobs. They also see the 40-series cars having some appeal for retirees who want a smaller, easier to handle Volvo. In all cases, the V40, given the high level of equipment (see box), offers plenty of car in an attractive package. For families looking to avoid a minivan, this wagon is definitely an option. 

2001 VOLVO V40 FOUR-DOOR STATION WAGON

Engine: (front-engine/front-wheel drive) 1.9-litre I4, dohc; electronic engine management/sequential fuel injection; 160 hp at 5,100 rpm; torque rated at 170 lbs-ft at 1,800.
Transmission: five-speed electronic automatic.
Steering: power-assist rack and pinion.
Brakes: power-assisted front disc/rear disc with four-wheel anti-lock for front-drive.
Tires: 195/60VR15 all-season radials for base model.
Wheelbase: 2,562 mm (100.8 in). 
Curb weight: 1,280 kg (2,821). 
Price (MSRP base): $30,995; freight: $550.
Key standard features: silver alloy wheels, AC w/climate control, air filter, AM/FM stereo cassette w/7 speakers, cruise control, power door locks w/2-stage door locks, remote keyless entry, 1 power accessory outlet, tilt steering, power windows, fixed interval rear wiper, cargo cover, cargo tie downs, cargo concealed storage, driver's seat lumbar, cloth upholstery, liftback rear cargo door, roof rack.
Key Options: 10-spoke Stellar alloy wheels ($300), dual integrated child seat ($400), power tilt/slide glass sunroof ($1,000), dynamic stability assistance ($500), AM/FM/cassette/CD ($400), sport package ($1,100), touring package ($3,000).
J.D. Power & Associates Initial Quality Study (number of owner-reported problems in first 90 days; lower number is better):
Volvo vehicle line: 150 (industry average 154)  
V40: 169
Performance in 0-100 km/h: 8.5 seconds
Consumer Reports Predicted Reliability: NA.
Safety/security: dual airbags; side airbags; anti-lock braking; available stability control; good rating for headrest effectiveness; no rating for driver/passenger front crash protection; no rating for front/rear side crash protection; no rating for collision insurance claims; no rating for comprehensive insurance claims; no rating for theft insurance claims; anti-theft device.
Warranty:
Basic: 4 years or 80,000 km.
Major components: 4 years/80,000 km.
Rust perforation: 8 years/unl. km.
Roadside assistance: 4 yrs./unl. km.

Pros
* Smart styling inside and out
* Powerful safety features and nimble handling
* Good alternative to a minivan

Cons
* Smallish back seat 
* Only a turbocharged four-banger available for power 
* Tall rear lip might be a loading issue