Faults:

Boot lid refused to open when nearly new. Even today it still gives problems after a main dealer fix.

The seals on the 4 injectors failed, alternator failed, alternator pulley failed, replaced air flow meter, replaced DPF (service item €550 at 120k), rebuilt turbo, replaced DPF sensors and hoses. The car is in and out of the garage for the last 2 years. As I type this, the car is in the garage. I would have the car sold, but it is never fixed long enough to sell it.

It is all engine problems. I think the problems are only with the 1.6 diesel.

General Comments:

The car is very well screwed together and finished to a high spec..

It is a joy to drive, and the suspension is flawless, even over bad roads and fully loaded.

Faults:

At about 7000km, driving while it was raining, the next day there was a noise from the right side of the engine while the engine was cold. This noise continued for a couple of weeks and disappeared.

General Comments:

I owned a 1.8lt BMW 3 series E30. When I decided to buy a new one, my top 5 choices were: BMW 316i E90, Audi A4 1.8Turbo, Toyota Avensis 1.8, Mazda 6 1.8 and Volvo S40 1.8…

For the BMW, the engine of that time was too weak for the weight of the chassis, while the 318i is actually a 2.0lt car. So it was disqualified.

For the Audi, I dont like turbo engines since they need more fuel, the running costs are higher, and the reliability of the engine not so high, because of the high temperatures here in Greece. So it was disqualified.

For the Toyota, (I already own a 2004 Toyota Corolla 1.4lt 5door) I have the best opinion, but it is too big for me and I have a compact car – Corolla. So it was disqualified.

For the Mazda, I liked the design of the exterior, but the interior was rather poor (but roomy) and the model was going to change soon (that was the reason for not choosing the Ford Mondeo also). So it was disqualified.

The Volvo was my final choice. The S60 is too big for me, so the S40 was my choice.

Exterior: Sapphire Black. Unique design, looks like coupe and dynamic car.

Interior: White leather. Roomy interior with excellent design (specially the console at dark wood trim). All the buttons are ergonomically placed and easy to use. Quality? 1 click below Mercedes and BMW, almost equal to Audi and certainly higher than all the other cars.

Boot: Sufficient for me (404lt) with a rather small door, because of the design of the tail lights.

Handling: Like a train! I have tried the car at roads that are slippery and it had more to give than the engine could.

Comfort: Like a magic carpet the suspension swallows everything. You can do countless kms and feel like you just entered the car. Of course this means that at turns the body rolls a bit, but this does not affect the handling.

Engine: Not too strong (125hp) but tons of torque (thanks to the gearbox too). Adequate for the weight of the body for safe trips. Fuel consumption: 8.5lt/100km.

Gearbox: 5-speed manual, very easy to use with the correct gear ratio, though a 6-speed gearbox would be better for this engine, because you could do trips at highways with less engine revs.

Overall conclusions:

+ Design (in and out), comfort, quality, safety, fuel economy.

- Small boot, engine noisy, rather expensive service.

Faults:

I have had only interior problems 2 to be exact the interior mirror was loose, rattles, dealer fix under warranty, and now the sun roof is off the track and rattles, will open all the way, but it won't vent and rattles with the interior shade opened.

The dealer is great setup a appointment and offer me a loner, hopefully no other problems.

General Comments:

I love this car great styling, comfortable, reliable, very sexy lines and a large trunk. Much quicker than most people reviewng says.. 170hp is plenty handling is on the mark.

Faults:

The car is comfortable, but since it's sporty it bounces a lot on the highway (especially on LA high ways). The B-pillars are too wide (6-7") and it's really hard to see when passing the cars on the left. Steering is too responsive and always has to be adjusted (not sporty, just too responsive and is annoying because its always needs to be corrected. Brakes are weak and really slushy just like 98-up Camry's.

General Comments:

Nice car, I love the ride and style, but the above things really made me hate this car.

I rented this car with 6000mi on it and drove it for 1500mi in 5 days in California.

I went from LA to Santa'Barbara to Las Vegas to Hover Dam and things like that.

I really love the styling of exterior and interior.

The centre console was making noise (at 6000mi) which is kinda early for 2007 car, but I am sure its fixable and the console just needs a little TLC.