Crash Test Rating
Source   NHTSA
MPG (up to)
21 City / 30 HWY
Horsepower
227
Seats
5
Front passenger 3/4 w/ wheels turned.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Lauren B
I love my 2011 Volvo s40 - it is fun to drive, fuel efficient, and cute looking.
I have had my Volvo s40 for nearly 10 years and it is never given me any problems. It handles very smoothly and is super gas efficient - I hardly ever have to fill up. It is also comfortable for me and for passengers. The trunk is spacious and fits a lot of stuff. Even though the interior is spacious, the car is pretty compact, which makes parking on the street very easy. Last but not least the car is super cute. Love my Volvo s40. It is too bad they discontinued it.
accountCircle dylan
Built Strong
I love this car. Nothing bad to say at all, except repairs might be a bit more expensive
accountCircle Lauren D
Great reliable and cute vehicle.
I love my Volvo s40. It is the perfect size, has ample storage, large trunk. I love how it drives. It is very fuel efficient. I also think it is a really cute car. I have it in black. Also love the red version. Volvo stopped making this model shortly after I purchased in 2011, which made no sense since it is such a great car.
accountCircle Louis H
Perfect beginner car. Easy maneuvering and very safe!
The Volvo s40 is a small sedan that has great acceleration but is also incredibly safe. Small enough for easy maneuvering and speed but also sturdy enough to always feel safe. The stock sound system is also a great bonus. I think this type of car would be a perfect first car for teenagers learning how to drive.
accountCircle Tyler S
Best car ever, best company ever absolutely love Volvo.
I love Volvo it is the only company I know of that cares about its customers over making money. Volvo was the one who made the three point seat belt and instead of keeping it to itself they let other companies use the design that saves thousands of lives yearly! The car is extremely comfortable the seats are contoured to three body. I have not had many issues with it also as long as I keep up with maintenance! I absolutely love Volvo.
accountCircle Jeff B
Lots. Of. Headroom. I mean like really! There is a good 10' of headroom there. You wouldn't believe it until you see it!
It is very comfortable; I love the bucket seats with seat warmers. It also has lots of headroom which I can really appreciate, you see I'm about 7' 2"and finding a mid sized sedan with lots of headroom for me is a big pain. Thank you ;)
accountCircle Mike F
There's a lot of problems with the trunk not closing/opening.... Besides that it's a great car
I like the looks, and the way it drives. I don't like the trunk because it keeps braking/not working right. The cost of repairs is not good either
accountCircle Donna R
Built like a "Tank" ... Keeps you Safe. I bought my car used and to date never had to put any repairs into it other than regular maintenance.
It's a well built car. Was in several accidents (due to others) and it kept me safe. It's a little tank that performs well.

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Karlzell J
The Volvo s40 is a reliable car all except for the maintenance on the vehicle.
I am not a fan of this vehicle because of too many maintenance issues. I have only had the vehicle for about a year, and it seems like every month I run into new problems and have to put money into the vehicle. The features are really nice and the design of the Volvo s40 is really great. The performance on it is okay, but again the maintenance is an issue. Add to the fact that a Volvo is a foreign car in the maintenance on it is more expensive than if it was just a plain old American.

Volvo S40 Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

car
Base
227 HP 24 MPG 5 Seats
car
R-Design
227 HP 24 MPG 5 Seats
Photos may not match model

2011 Volvo S40 Owner Reviews

4.56
16 Reviews
close Write Review
5 stars 63%
4 stars 31%
3 stars 6%
2 stars 0%
1 star 0%
accountCircle Myles M on May 18, 2021
Volvo s40 overview review.
It is a really long lasting car that is very durable and controllable in any road environment. Easy and low to ground, as well. The seats are leather which are very comfy but can be problematic in the summer heat when you could burn yourself on the seats. However, during the cooler months it is a very nice, cool ride.
accountCircle Karlzell J on May 5, 2021
The Volvo s40 is a reliable car all except for the maintenance on the vehicle.
I am not a fan of this vehicle because of too many maintenance issues. I have only had the vehicle for about a year, and it seems like every month I run into new problems and have to put money into the vehicle. The features are really nice and the design of the Volvo s40 is really great. The performance on it is okay, but again the maintenance is an issue. Add to the fact that a Volvo is a foreign car in the maintenance on it is more expensive than if it was just a plain old American.

Ranks #3 Luxury Small Cars by Owners

The 2011 Volvo S40 has an average owner rating of 4.56 out of 5 which ranks it #3 of 18 other Luxury Small Cars.

1
car
4.78
2
car
4.64
3
car
4.56

Ranks #3 Luxury Small Cars by Fuel Economy

The 2011 Volvo S40 has a combined MPG of 30 which ranks it #3 of 18 other Luxury Small Cars.

1
car
42 MPG
2
car
36 MPG
3
Tie
car
30 MPG

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of gas does a volvo s40 take?

Answer: The Volvo S40 will run perfectly fine if You're using regular unleaded gasoline with octane rating of 87 but this vehicle will also have the benefit of being able to use 91 octane or higher in order to receive...

What are some of the volvo s40 problems?

Answer: The Volvo S40 racks up complaints when it comes to its instrument panel. They are known to fail on this model, but are simple to reinstate by repairing the wiring between the information display and the ECU....

What are some of the volvo s40 alternator problems?

Answer: The Volvo S40 alternator problems are the battery won't charge and the alternator is cracked. You will come into problems with the battery during the life cycle of the vehicle. There can be a leak, causing the...

Answers are provided by third parties. We do not guarantee accuracy of responses

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Logo
NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Not Rated

Rollover

Side

Not Rated
*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
IIHS Logo
IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front

Side

Roof Strength

Driver-side Overlap Front

Not Rated
*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety