Best Car Reviews - 2009 Volvo S40 AWD

Rate this article Choose 1-5 stars.

Introduction

The 2009 Volvo S40 AWD is a compact premium sedan aimed at drivers who want Swedish design, strong safety engineering and confident all-weather traction in a relatively small package. In North America, the AWD version was sold as the turbocharged T5 R-Design, combining a five-cylinder engine, five-speed automatic transmission and electronically controlled all-wheel drive. Its distinctive cabin, supportive seats and standard R-Design styling helped it stand apart from more conventional compact cars.

Design and Exterior Features

The S40 has a clean, upright sedan profile with a short rear deck, pronounced shoulder line and Volvo’s characteristic grille and diagonal badge. At about 4.48 metres long, it is easy to place in urban traffic while retaining a substantial, premium appearance. For 2009, the AWD T5 received standard R-Design treatment, bringing a more assertive grille, sport bodywork and model-specific details rather than a full redesign.

R-Design grille with matte-silver surround and badge
Colour-coordinated side skirts plus front and rear spoilers
Standard 17-inch alloy wheels; 18-inch diamond-cut wheels were available
Front fog lamps and power moonroof
Optional active Bi-Xenon headlights that turn with steering input

Interior and Comfort

The 2009 Volvo S40 AWD delivers a distinctly Scandinavian interior, led by its slim floating centre stack and simple, logically placed controls. Material quality is strong for its era, and the front seats remain a major selling point: they are well shaped, supportive and comfortable on long journeys. The rear seat and cabin storage are less generous than in larger sedans, but the 60/40 split-folding rear seat improves flexibility.

Leather-trimmed R-Design cabin with sporty steering wheel and shift knob
Heated front seats and driver-seat memory on the T5 AWD R-Design
Automatic climate control and auto-dimming rear-view mirror with compass
Aluminium sport pedals, R-Design inlays and watch-style instrument cluster
12.6-cubic-foot trunk and 60/40 split-folding rear seat

Performance and Handling

The S40 AWD uses a turbocharged 2.5-litre inline-five petrol engine producing 227 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic Geartronic transmission. Volvo quoted a 0-60 mph time of about 7.0 seconds for the AWD model. Its all-wheel-drive system improves traction on wet, snowy and loose surfaces, while the R-Design suspension gives the car secure turn-in, although rough roads can feel firm. Verified US EPA figures are 18 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined, equal to approximately 13.1, 9.0 and 11.2 L/100 km. The supplied 14.167 fuel-consumption figure does not state a unit, so it should not be treated as an official rating.

Turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine with 227 hp and 236 lb-ft
Five-speed automatic transmission with manual Geartronic control
Electronically controlled all-wheel drive for improved poor-weather traction
Verified EPA combined consumption of approximately 11.2 L/100 km
Strong mid-range acceleration for overtaking and highway merging

Technology and Connectivity

Technology reflects the late-2000s premium compact market rather than modern smartphone-focused expectations. Bluetooth hands-free calling was standard, while the audio system included a six-disc CD changer, MP3 capability, satellite radio and an auxiliary input. Navigation, a Dynaudio 12-speaker audio system, keyless ignition, BLIS blind-spot monitoring and active Bi-Xenon headlights were optional.

Bluetooth hands-free telephone interface
Eight-speaker audio system with six-disc CD changer and MP3 support
Sirius satellite radio and auxiliary audio input
Optional DVD-based navigation system
Optional Dynaudio premium 12-speaker audio system

Safety Features

Safety is a core strength of the 2009 Volvo S40 AWD. Standard equipment includes antilock disc brakes, traction control, stability control, front-seat side airbags, full-length head-curtain airbags and whiplash-reducing head restraints. The IIHS awarded the S40 Good ratings in its original moderate-overlap frontal test and head-restraint evaluation, with Acceptable ratings for the original side-impact and roof-strength tests. NHTSA testing awarded four stars for the driver in a frontal crash, five stars for the front passenger and five stars in side-impact testing.

Antilock disc brakes, traction control and stability control
Side-impact protection structure with front side airbags and curtain airbags
Whiplash Protection System head restraints
Standard tyre-pressure monitoring system and automatic hazard-warning activation
Optional Blind Spot Information System and active Bi-Xenon headlights

Pricing and Variants

When new, the 2009 S40 range started at $28,550 for the 2.4i, while the front-wheel-drive T5 R-Design started at $32,350. The 2009 Volvo S40 T5 AWD R-Design had a verified base MSRP of $33,800 before the $825 destination charge. US-market variants were the 2.4i, T5 R-Design and T5 AWD R-Design. Compared with rivals such as the Audi A4 quattro, BMW 328i xDrive and Acura TSX, the Volvo offered stronger standard safety character and distinctive styling, but its price and rear-seat space were less competitive.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Powerful, characterful turbocharged five-cylinder engine
All-wheel drive provides useful wet- and winter-weather confidence
Excellent front seats and distinctive Scandinavian cabin design
Comprehensive standard safety equipment for its age
R-Design styling gives the compact sedan a more individual appearance

Cons

Fuel economy is modest for a compact sedan
Rear-seat room is tight for taller adults
Sport-oriented suspension can be unsettled on broken pavement
Five-speed automatic feels dated beside newer transmissions
Age-related repairs and Volvo-specific parts can be costly

Maintenance and Common Issues

A single reliable annual maintenance-cost figure for this specific 2009 S40 AWD is not universally available, and real costs vary sharply with mileage, service history, local labour rates and deferred repairs. Buyers should budget for a pre-purchase inspection and verify maintenance records, especially for the turbo engine, automatic transmission and AWD system. Common owner-reported or generation-related inspection points include front suspension wear or noises, driveshaft or AWD driveline clunks, cooling-system leaks or overheating concerns, oil leaks or crankcase-ventilation faults, and electrical or module-related warning-light issues. Confirm that all applicable recall work has been completed.

Rating

Overall rating: 7.6/10. Design: 8.5/10 for its enduring R-Design appearance and memorable cabin. Comfort: 8/10 for excellent front seats, offset by limited rear accommodation. Performance: 8/10 for strong turbo torque and secure AWD traction. Technology: 6.5/10 because its features are useful but dated. Safety: 8.5/10 for its robust structure, standard airbags and strong period crash-test results.

User Reviews and Feedback

Owner feedback commonly values the S40 AWD for its safety-focused feel, comfortable seating, distinctive styling and energetic turbocharged engine. Satisfaction is more mixed around fuel use, rear-seat space and the importance of preventative maintenance on an older premium vehicle.

Owners frequently praise the supportive seats and comfortable long-distance driving position
The turbo five-cylinder is widely appreciated for its strong passing power and sound
All-wheel drive is valued in rain, snow and colder climates
Many consider the cabin attractive, but note limited rear-seat space and storage
Maintenance history is repeatedly viewed as essential to avoiding expensive age-related repairs

Best Cars in This Category

2009 Audi A4 2.0T quattro
2009 BMW 328i xDrive
2009 Acura TSX
2009 Volkswagen Jetta GLI
2009 Mazda Mazda3

Summary

The 2009 Volvo S40 AWD is best suited to buyers who prioritise character, front-seat comfort, safety engineering and four-season traction over maximum passenger space or low running costs. The T5 R-Design combines a rewarding turbocharged engine with unmistakable Swedish styling, making it a compelling used compact sedan when it has a documented service history and passes a thorough specialist inspection.