The Volvo V40 does 22 mpg combined (19.2 city, 27.2 highway), which works out to about $1,745 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Volvo V40 engine, compared
The Volvo V40 was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9L 4-cyl | 19.2 / 27.2 | 2000–2004 | $1,745 |
What that actually costs
The Volvo V40 burns a gallon every 22 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 545 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.145 |
| Fuel per year | $1,745 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,725 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$251 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,500 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Volvo V40 gives up 8 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 27.2 out there against 19.2 in town, a 42% drop worth $588 a year. 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 | 19.2 mpg | $2,000 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 27.2 mpg | $1,412 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8 mpg (42%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the V40 changed over the years
The V40 peaked in 2001 at 23 mpg (20 city, 29 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2000 at 21 — 2 mpg apart, or $159 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2004 car does 22. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 19 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 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
This page rests on 5 EPA ratings of the Volvo V40 — 1 engine across 2000–2004. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,500. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Volvo V40 get?
22 mpg combined on average — 19.2 in the city and 27.2 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2000–2004.
How much does a Volvo V40 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,745 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,725 over five years, or 0.145 dollars a mile.
Which V40 engine is the most economical?
The 1.9L 4-cyl at 22 mpg.
Is the V40 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world V40 figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Volvo V40 is $3,500 against the $1,745 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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