Volvo S40 1995–2000 car dimensions: 4480 mm long, 1720 mm wide and 1410 mm high. Unladen weight is 1,240 kg. Braked towing is 1,200 kg.
The cabin seats five with supportive front seats offering good leg and head room plus height adjustment for the driver. Rear space is tighter for adults. Manual air conditioning is widely fitted while electronic climate control appears on SE and higher grades. Cruise control is also trim-dependent. ABS with EBD, dual front airbags and front side airbags are standard. No advanced electronic driver aids are fitted.
Boot space measures 471 litres with the rear seats in place and expands to 853 litres when they are folded. The load floor sits low for easy access and the opening is practical for everyday luggage.
Braked towing capacity is 1200 kg on most engines and rises to 1400 kg on higher-output versions such as the T4. Unbraked capacity is 500 kg. Payload sits around 505 kg depending on specification. The car suits light towing and everyday loads but has no heavy-duty cooling or reinforced suspension packages listed.
Ergonomic front seats with adjustable lumbar support and height adjustment for the driver deliver solid support on longer trips. Air conditioning keeps the cabin comfortable. Optional power driver's seat and heated front seats add convenience on higher trims. Split-folding rear seats and a practical layout make everyday use straightforward in this compact sedan.
4-star Euro NCAP rating from 1997 tests
Standard ABS with EBD plus SIPS side airbags and driver airbag
Seat belt pretensioners and three-point belts for all five seats
Service interval typically 15,000 km or one year
60-litre fuel tank across engines
Petrol engines from 1.6 to 2.0 litres plus a 1.9 turbo diesel cover a range of needs. Combined consumption figures appear in the mid to high 8 litres per 100 km range for many variants, with the tank holding 60 litres for reasonable range.
Oil and filter changes follow a 15,000 km or annual schedule on most engines. Timing belt replacement falls due around 120,000 km. Regular checks on brakes, suspension bushes and the subframe help keep the car reliable over time.
Safety kit includes ABS, the SIPS side-impact system with seat-mounted airbags, a driver airbag, pretensioners and head restraints on every seat. The structure held up well in 1997 Euro NCAP testing to earn four stars, the top result among family cars that year.
Parts remain available through specialist networks. Keep an eye on rust in the subframe and underbody, especially in salted-road areas, and stick to the service schedule for long-term durability.
Length 4480 mm, Width 1720 mm, Height 1410 mm, Wheelbase 2550 mm (S40 1995–2000)
Sources: manufacturer data, autoevolution.com Volvo S40 1996-2000 page, carsguide.com.au 1997 S40 dimensions, encyCARpedia 1996 S40 2.0.