Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[2006 Volvo S40 T5 AWD in the Autoblog Garage Day 5]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/03/2006-volvo-s40-t5-awd-in-the-autoblog-garage-day-5/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/03/2006-volvo-s40-t5-awd-in-the-autoblog-garage-day-5/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/03/2006-volvo-s40-t5-awd-in-the-autoblog-garage-day-5/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Much has been made in the comments about how much (or how little) the Volvo S40 and Mazda3 have in common. We think one particular comment by an Autoblog reader named Mike sums up our feelings on this debate: "Any comparison between the two must be coming from the unfamiliar." It's true, these two cars share a platform and various components but the job done differentiating them is far from badge reengineering. Their relationship is less Ford Five Hundred to Mercury Montego than it is Audi A4 to Volkswagen Jetta. We're talking more than a new grille and taillamps here.

The C1 chassis certainly cleans up well wearing Volvo's stubby-yet-strong proportions and Scandinavian interior, but does the S40's on-pavement prowess finally settle any qualms created by its potentially $30k-plus pricetag?

Continue reading 2006 Volvo S40 T5 AWD in the Autoblog Garage Day 5

2006 Volvo S40 T5 AWD in the Autoblog Garage Day 5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 May 2006 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-wheel driveAll-wheelDriveAWDMazda3MazdaSpeed3S40 T5 AWDS40T5AwdWed, 03 May 2006 11:55:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/614217/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/05/03/2006-volvo-s40-t5-awd-in-the-autoblog-garage-day-5/614217/article-detail.xml 614217 http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/05/IMG_5173_thumbnail.jpg http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/05/IMG_5173.JPG <![CDATA[2006 Volvo S40 T5 AWD in the Autoblog Garage Day 3-4]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/2006-volvo-s40-t5-awd-in-the-autoblog-garage-day-3-4/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/2006-volvo-s40-t5-awd-in-the-autoblog-garage-day-3-4/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/2006-volvo-s40-t5-awd-in-the-autoblog-garage-day-3-4/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Some automakers do things differently just to be different. Volvo is one of those brands, and the interior of the S40 bears out the company's antiestablishment ways. From the ultra-slim center console to the Dynamic T-Tec seating material to the vertically stacked stereo and HVAC controls, it's clear the interior of the S40 has been developed by designers who march to the beat of a different drum.

But a vehicle's interior is a driver's domicile, and since more time is spent inside a vehicle staring at gauges, buttons and dials than taking-in exteriors, it's of extreme importance that an interior function as well as it looks. After a few days inhabiting the S40 we've come up with some conclusions on whether or not Volvo's earned a payoff for being different inside the S40.

Continue reading 2006 Volvo S40 T5 AWD in the Autoblog Garage Day 3-4

2006 Volvo S40 T5 AWD in the Autoblog Garage Day 3-4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Apr 2006 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Austin PowersAustinPowersInteriorJapaneseS40 T5 AWDS40T5AwdFri, 28 Apr 2006 12:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/612792/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/04/28/2006-volvo-s40-t5-awd-in-the-autoblog-garage-day-3-4/612792/article-detail.xml 612792 http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/04/IMG_5313_thumbnail.jpg http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/04/IMG_5313.JPG <![CDATA[2006 Volvo S40 T5 AWD in the Autoblog Garage Day 1-2]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/26/2006-volvo-s40-t5-awd-in-the-autoblog-garage-day-1-2/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/26/2006-volvo-s40-t5-awd-in-the-autoblog-garage-day-1-2/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/26/2006-volvo-s40-t5-awd-in-the-autoblog-garage-day-1-2/#commentsFiled under: , ,



We in this country often complain that Europeans get their pick of fun-to-drive, premium compact cars while we're force fed SUVs and full-size trucks. The Volvo S40 is a rolling rebuttal to that argument. Europeans, however, have become accustomed to paying a premium for small cars that perform, handle and feel like a luxury car. Are North Americans ready to pay for the kind of small car they desire from afar, or is the grass growing in the cracks of the other guy's parking lot just greener?

Can a potent powerplant, all-wheel drive, Volvo's reputation for safety and the S40's attractive styling make a convincing case for a compact car that costs over thirty-thousand clams? Let's crank the S40's odd little plastic key and find out...

Continue reading 2006 Volvo S40 T5 AWD in the Autoblog Garage Day 1-2

2006 Volvo S40 T5 AWD in the Autoblog Garage Day 1-2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Apr 2006 13:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acura tsxAcuraTsxall-wheel driveAll-wheelDriveaudi a4AudiA4mazda3S40 T5 AWDS40T5AwdwarthogWed, 26 Apr 2006 13:52:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/612134/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/04/26/2006-volvo-s40-t5-awd-in-the-autoblog-garage-day-1-2/612134/article-detail.xml 612134 http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/04/IMG_5167_thumbnail.jpg http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/04/IMG_5167.JPG -1 2