Volvo V40: How economical & reliable?

1111 Views 22 Replies 17 Participants Last post by alaningreece, 18 d ago

Dom123

Discussion Starter · 1 mo ago

Hi, looking at buying a used V40 (nothing older than 2012). Can anyone advise average MPG particularly on longer/motorway journeys? Also how reliable have you found them? (Petrol or diesel).
Thanks.

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tones

· #2 · 1 mo ago (Edited)

We've had our D3 for 9 years now, and the only thing to go wrong with it is one wing mirror continuing to try to close, even though it was already closed, with accompanying distressed gear noises.

Fuel consumption? I do the long haul annually from Basel to Belfast, and it depends very much on how fast you go. At around around 65mph, the consumption is around 40-45mpg, but I found that, if I travel more quickly (top French autoroute speed is 80 mph), the consumption jumps to 37-38mpg. Around town (I'm not lead-footed, but neither am I seeking the last word in economy), I get around that same 40-45.

The V40 is no sports car, it excels at comfortable long-distance cruising.

P.S. Forgot to add that it's an automatic, moreover a torque converter type, and they're always thirstier.

Reactions: 1

Alanr

· #3 · 1 mo ago

Day to day local driving my D2 gives a consistant 56-57 mpg. Today I have done a 220mile trip mainly at motorway speeds and it has recorded 61.5mpg.

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VeeForty Deetoo

· #4 · 1 mo ago

I've had the early 1.6 D2 and the later 2.0 D2, both similar fuel consumption, towards 80 mpg at best on the M1 to Leeds, average hasnt dropped below 51 with a country drive each day to work. A journey to Wales, around, and back saw 70mpg on the way, 60mpg average with running about. Both never actually broken down but the 1.6 was on its 4th clutch/flywheel assembly within 2 years, each repair lasting 1000 miles or less, and the 2.0 had an egr valve/cooler, quite normal for a diesel!! No rattles, squeaks or leaks. 1.6 needed new discs, very reasonably priced . Both cars from main dealer with full history, 30 odd thousand miles at purchase. Biggest let down is the aftersales by the most recent dealer, who are supported by a large customer care team who give no care at all.
Would I recommend... actually, yes. Without doubt.

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Tony1

· #5 · 1 mo ago

That would depend on the model you buy. My old D2 would easily get 65mpg driving between Glasgow and Inverness on the A9. A T5 would probably get half that (but with a bigger grin)

MattStones

· #6 · 1 mo ago

The economy king should be the 2.0 D2, my own 5 cylinder D3 Automatic seems to be in the 43-45mpg range which is not bad for such a heavy car with an older style auto box and it's quick enough for what it is. (Google/car.info says 1398Kg)

Oh and I kinda fell for the sound of the 5 cylinder engine, i realise that the 4 cylinder would be cheaper to tax and fuel but it would not have that grin factor for me.

As for reliability, I've not had mine for long but it has 120k miles on it, not a single squeak or rattle and everything works as it should.

Derek996

· #7 · 1 mo ago

I have T2 and it does around 43-46 for longer motorway runs and probably in the lower 30's around town. Overall about 36-38mpg.

HPsauce

· #8 · 1 mo ago

Tony1 said:
A T5 would probably get half that (but with a bigger grin)

So true, don't get a T5 if you worry about fuel costs. But do buy one, get it Polestarred and always fill up with 99RON if you enjoy driving.

MKV40T5

· #9 · 1 mo ago

My T5 has about 10-11 Liter/100km but it depends about your driving style.
It can be lower and higher!

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broadbander

· #10 · 1 mo ago

I find my 2013 D4 (5 cylinder) is pretty economical on my motorway commute to work (cruise set to 65mph):

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In fact, around 50% more efficient (on the same trip at same speed) than the 2018 Kia Rio 1.4 petrol I borrowed for 2 days whilst I was awaiting a new front coil spring for my V40. The Rio had 18,000 miles on it, my V40 has 150,000 miles on it

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wegier

· #11 · 1 mo ago

in my 2014 V40 CC i need to replace front broken spring after 90 000km. i replaced 2 front springs at volvo dealer with genuine volvo spring, upper mounting and bearings and some only one time used bolts and nuts. total cost about 780 euro after a promotional campaign for a loyality customer

my advice:always change to oem springs choosen vith VIN number in main dealer, local garage often not choosen spring parameter ideally like OEM first mounting at volvo factory. for example now i have bearings from xc40 (may be more reliable than previous) volvo dealer decided that with newest knowledge

Rathlindri

· #12 · 29 d ago

I'm averaging 55mpg from my 2013 D3 SE Lux Nav. Just about to turn 100k miles and owned since 1/06/17 (45k miles when bought). One broken front spring, a rear wheel sensor and nothing else bar normal service items. Original battery replaced 2 years ago. Very reliable and won't be changing it for a long time. Great cars!

yauwera

· #13 · 28 d ago

MKV40T5 said:
My T5 has about 10-11 Liter/100km but it depends about your driving style.
It can be lower and higher!

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The T4 geartronic does 9 to 11 l/100km in town, but is quite economical on highways when following the speed limits (approx 6 to 7 l/100km). Of course in Germany it's a different story which I fully understand (and enjoy)... 😄

Reactions: 1

lemOnd

· #14 · 28 d ago

MattStones said:
The economy king should be the 2.0 D2, my own 5 cylinder D3 Automatic seems to be in the 43-45mpg range which is not bad for such a heavy car with an older style auto box and it's quick enough for what it is. (Google/car.info says 1398Kg)

Oh and I kinda fell for the sound of the 5 cylinder engine, i realise that the 4 cylinder would be cheaper to tax and fuel but it would not have that grin factor for me.

As for reliability, I've not had mine for long but it has 120k miles on it, not a single squeak or rattle and everything works as it should.

I have the same D3 Geartronic and I absolutely love it, especially for it's lightly angry sound, especially for a diesel. I can`t convert the consumption to mpg, but mine is around 5.2 to 5.4 l/100 km. Had a D3 manual before and it was only .5 litre below, so for an automatic it's pretty much "economical" especially because I have the Polestar upgrade which means around 180hp and 400NM. It doesn't consume more than before but it goes as **** while not being too thirsty. My personal sweet spot. Oh, and by the way, the car is over 1600 kilos!

MattStones

· #15 · 27 d ago

You're about 50mpg UK with those numbers, I did let the radar cruise follow a HGV this morning and got way better economy cruising along at 56mph (90Kph) but usually I'm on urban roads.

On back roads I'm sure I get better results in Sport, it uses much more engine braking that way.

I've been driving Automatic vehicles for work for 15 years (Buses/HGV's) but this is my first Auto car, I'm getting used to it and enjoying it.

Driven

· #16 · 26 d ago

I have a R Design T5. Who cares about fuel consumption. It is so much fun to drive.
Push the lever to the left, sport mode and redline every gear.
T5 has a gun engine with the turbo.
Change the oil every 12 months and away you blast

broadbander

· #17 · 25 d ago

Driven said:
I have a R Design T5. Who cares about fuel consumption. It is so much fun to drive.
Push the lever to the left, sport mode and redline every gear.
T5 has a gun engine with the turbo.
Change the oil every 12 months and away you blast

I think we'd care less about fuel consumption if our fuel prices in Europe were closer to those in Australia

Unleaded - Australia
Unleaded - UK
Unleaded - Germany
Unleaded - Belgium

Diesel - Australia
Diesel - UK
Diesel - Germany
Diesel - Belgium

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Sepukku

· #18 · 23 d ago (Edited)

MY 18 T4 AWD CC

My numbers are: 22-30 mpg or 8-11L per 100km

Obviously i could do 40 mpg or 6L per 100km but its not a realistic situation, as most of my trips are inside a very crowded city or longer trips for leisure which are mostly done on a highway.

I have researched this model for a long time and my needs are better suited for a petrol engine. I think if you do over 15k a year you should go for a diesel. If you're under 15k, like me, a petrol will save you some costly consumables when the car gets older.

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VeeForty Deetoo

· #19 · 23 d ago

Sepukku said:
MY 18 T4 AWD CC
a petrol will save you some costly consumables when the car gets older.

Such as DPF and EGR replacements as early as 30k miles

wegier

· #20 · 23 d ago (Edited)

i think that nowadays when we mean about intensively enlarging IDIOTIC "low emission zones" across uk and europe-petrol engines are better hassle-free choice for the possibilty of future use of our V40s and other cars across the land/UE

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