Description: Compact Sports Sedan and Wagon
Base MSRP Range: $23,755 - $28,390
Invoice Price Range: $22,365 - $26,722
Where built: Belgium

Volvo's compact-class cars -- S40 for the four-door sports sedan and V50 for a five-door wagon -- measure smaller than other Volvos but contain the performance and safety hardware that define larger models. The cabin in Volvo's compacts seems airy with ample personal room and comfort gear aboard plus sport bucket seats.

Volvo outfits the compacts with two versions of an in-line-five cylinder engine. Entry point is the 2.4i with a naturally-aspirated 2.4-liter plant scored to 168 hp. Transmission is a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic with Geartronic shift mode.

The T5 gets Volvo's 2.5-liter low-pressure turbo for 218 hp with five-speed Geartronic automatic or optional six-speed manual. T5 AWD models gain the new "Instant Traction" AWD system by Haldex.

A sport package for 2006 brings 17-inch alloy wheels, a dynamic sport suspension, and (exclusively for 2.4i) aluminum trim in the cabin plus a leather gearshift knob.