The Volvo S40 does 22.8 mpg combined (19.7 city, 28.2 highway), which works out to about $1,684 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.5L 5-cyl does 23.5 mpg while 1.9L 4-cyl does 22 — a difference of $111 a year. Against other 5-cyl cars it sits above the average of 21.9 mpg.
Every Volvo S40 engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 5-cyl | 20.3 / 29.3 | 2004–2011 | $1,634 | |
| 2.4L 5-cyl | 19.8 / 28.5 | 2005–2009 | $1,670 | |
| 1.9L 4-cyl | 19.2 / 27.2 | 2000–2004 | $1,745 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.140 |
| Fuel per year | $1,684 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,420 |
| Against other 5-cyl cars | −$69 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,246 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 19.7 mpg | $1,949 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 28.2 mpg | $1,362 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8.5 mpg (43%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the S40 changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 21 / 30 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2010 | 21 / 30 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2009 | 20 / 31 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2008 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2007 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2006 | 20 / 29 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2005 | 19 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2004 | 19 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 2003 | 19 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2002 | 19 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2001 | 20 / 29 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2000 | 19 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Volvo S40 get?
22.8 mpg combined on average — 19.7 in the city and 28.2 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2000–2011.
How much does a Volvo S40 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,684 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,420 over five years, or 0.140 dollars a mile.
Which S40 engine is the most economical?
The 2.5L 5-cyl at 23.5 mpg, against 22 for the 1.9L 4-cyl — a difference of about $111 a year.
Is the S40 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 5-cyl cars it sits above the average of 21.9 mpg, computed across 390 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.