2008 Volvo S40 4X4 ED. Bauer EL

This S40 looks and feels like a sports sedan. This Volvo is subtle and original, but mostly very clean: sophisticated in its simplicity, but certainly not simple. Yet there's plenty of room for passengers and cargo inside, and the compact exterior dimensions make them easier to park. It is designed to be extremely safe, with active and passive safety features to help drivers avoid accidents, then protect them if there is a crash. It ranks among the best looking Volvos ever, and inside they offer clean, Scandinavian elegance. Safety features include front-impact airbags, torso-protecting side-impact airbags for front passengers, and head-protecting curtains for all outboard passengers. New for 2008 is an Automatic Hazard Warning feature that starts the emergency flashers in the event of a collision. The seats are excellent. It's hard to find a better mix of comfort and support for typical driving. The S40 was one of the first Volvos to use the thin panel, and it has quickly become one of our favorites. The center stack is barely more than an inch thick, like a flat-screen computer monitor, with open space behind it. It curves gracefully upward from the minimalist shift lever to link the center console with the rest of the instrument panel. It's all quite clean, effective and pleasing. Most significantly, measured by function and ease of operation, various controls in the S40 are simpler, better, than most other luxury brands. This Volvo offers a nice balance of ride and handling. It is smooth, with enough power for most drivers. This vehicle has had only one previous owner.