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Saloon
Any salesperson worth their salt should be able to sell a tidy, low-mileage S40 without it even having to leave the showroom. Just walking around it will easily convince the buyer that this is a handsome saloon, and a little light patter on the merits of the five-star Euro NCAP rating will leave them reassured of its safety.
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Once they sit behind the wheel, it should be job done. Thanks to its 'floating' centre console, the S40 has one of the most stylish interiors of any car. The ultra-slim panel houses the stereo, air-conditioning, satellite-navigation and telephone controls, and is only attached to the dashboard at the top and the bottom. Even if the prospective buyer insists on a test drive, the salesperson has nothing to fear. Although the S40's ride is rather firm, its drive and refinement are impeccable. The only real downsides are that headroom in the back isn't great and the small boot has only a narrow opening.
Running Costs
The S40 doesn't quite hang on to its value as well as the equivalent Audi A4 or BMW 3-series, but it's not far off and certainly doesn't come cheap as a used buy. Tempting though the high-performance T5 may be, it isn't cheap to run. Insurance is set at group 15, and while the official fuel economy may be rated at 32.5mpg, it's going to be a lot lower than that in everyday driving. Tyres tend to take a pounding, too, once you start exploiting the engine's full strength. Stick to our recommended 1.8-litre petrol and you'll pay no more than group 9 insurance and should see fuel economy in the mid-30s if you drive carefully. The diesel engines are where the real big mpg savings are to be made, but remember, you need to be doing enough miles to justify the higher purchase prices. Still, 40.4mpg (D5), 49.6mpg (2.0D) and 57.6mpg (1.6D) are not to be sniffed at.