Volvo S40 T4 (2002-2004)

"It's a Volvo Jim, but not as we know it." OK I admit it, at first I found the T4 a bit bland. Somehow it just didn't seem to stir me and I found myself struggling to find things to say, after all I don't own a pair of driving gloves and nor do I play Bowls. A week later and it's grown on me, I've come to realise the Volvo S40 T4 is actually a sweet bit of kit!

Volvo has been working away at changing the blocky Swedish tank and myopic low performance driver image for some time now, and after driving the T4 I reckon the time has come to bury the stereotype and move on.

From the outside the T4 has clean attractive lines, and with the rear spoiler perched atop the boot there's a subtle hint of menace ­ especially in black. Under the bonnet there's a front wheel drive 2.0-litre turbo-charged four-cylinder engine producing 147kW of power and 300Nm of torque. Drive is by five speed adaptive automatic transmission or five speed manual.

Traction control comes in the form of Dynamic Stability Assistance (DSA) and power gets to the ground via a set of 205/50 ZR16 Pirellis. Pinning the plot down there's four wheel disc brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD). This system is fully integrated within the ABS and regulates the braking force to the rear wheels according to the weight being carried to achieve optimum retardation.

While comfort levels for the driver are high in the T4, the passengers are slightly less well catered for. The front passenger seat lacks the sophisticated adjustability for height and position and sits the passenger somewhat low down in the car. The amount of space in the rear brought about complaints relating to leg room from the adult sized kids used as part of the journalistic process. The general consensus being that while OK for the school run, it'd be hard to accept on a long run.