Short and sweet, I'll post what I'm looking for and rely on you fine knowledgeable people to say "the S40 T5 AWD would be great for your needs" or "you need to keep looking". With the latter, alternate suggestions are appreciated if you have first-hand experience with the vehicle you're suggesting.

Vehicle: 2005 S40 T5 AWD, automatic transmission

My requirements:

1. Advanced AWD system with individual wheel control so it actually works well in the snow. A friend in HS had an Eclipse GSX, whose AWD was just a front and rear open differential; so whatever tire had the least traction ended up getting all of the power. This will be replacing a 4x4 truck as my daily driver. I don't expect it to perform like a 4x4 in deep snow; but I want it to be noticibly better than a FWD or RWD car, which the GSX was not.

2.25+ mpg when cruising at 70 mph. The fuel bill from my 70 mile daily commute is a big factor in wanting to get a car to replace my truck.

3.Reliability! I am meticulous about caring for my vehicles; but some cars are just one little annoying problem after another no matter how you treat them. I want whatever I buy to last over 100k miles without nickle and diming me to death with window regulators, control arm bushings, coil packs, and other piddly crap the entire time.

Please be honest. Obviously this place is packed full of Volvo enthusiasts; but if your pride and joy is one little issue after another I need to know. The other car being considered is an Audi A6. Good reliability from everything I've read; but the fuel economy is a bit lower than I'd like and, well... the 2005+ S40 is just a heck of a lot cooler looking car! Thanks in advance for any help!

 

Dont know nearly as much about the 04.5 and newer models, but from what I've seen on them you cant go wrong. The awd systems are abundant, and your mpg shouldnt be bad as long as your not doing modifications. And reliability on the s40's is somewhat up to the owner. As long as its maintained you should be good. In our s40concepts forums we have guys running there s40's over 125,000 with mods and having a blast with them...good luck.

 

In real estate it is location, location, location. With Volvos it is maintenance, maintenance, maintenance. Great AWD system. MPG is related somewhat to how heavy a shoe you wear, but 25+ mpg should be attainable. Plus as you stated, it is a good looking car.