Volvo S40 2.4i vs T5?

TL;DR: The Volvo S40 T5’s turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder makes 218 hp (2004–2007) or 227 hp (2008–2012), while the 2.4i’s naturally aspirated 2.4-liter five makes 168 hp. That’s a 50–59 hp gap you feel every time you merge: the T5 hits 60 mph in about 6.7 seconds versus roughly 8.2 for the 2.4i. Fuel economy is nearly identical, and when new the T5 cost only about $2,860 more ($26,615 vs $23,755 for 2006). On the used market the premium is even smaller — which is why the T5 is the pick for most buyers, with the 2.4i reserved for those who prize simplicity and the lowest running costs.

The Engines, Side by Side

Both engines are Volvo five-cylinders from the same family, and both are known for longevity — but they have completely different characters. The 2.4i (engine code B5244S4 in most years) is a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter making 168 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 170 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. It’s smooth, honest, and perfectly adequate around town, but it needs revs to make progress — reviewers at the time noted you had to drop two gears to find passing power on the highway.

The T5 (B5254T3, later B5254T7) adds a light-pressure turbocharger to a 2.5-liter block. Early cars (2004.5–2007) made 218 hp; Volvo bumped it to 227 hp for 2008, with 236 lb-ft of torque available from just 1,500 rpm. That low-end torque is the whole story: where the 2.4i needs to be wound out, the T5 simply surges. The turbo runs modest boost, so power delivery is linear rather than explosive — strong, characterful, and relaxed rather than frantic.

Transmissions: the 2.4i came with a 5-speed manual or 5-speed Geartronic automatic, front-wheel drive only. The T5 offered the 5-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual (borrowed from the S60R), and T5 AWD models added Volvo’s Haldex all-wheel-drive system — a meaningful option if you drive in snow country.

Spec Comparison

Power and Torque Compared

Real-World Driving: Where the Gap Shows

Around town at low speeds, the difference is modest — both pull away from lights cleanly, and the 2.4i’s lighter throttle response can actually feel calmer in traffic. The gap opens the moment you ask for more: highway merging, overtaking on two-lane roads, or climbing grades with passengers. The T5’s turbo delivers its 236 lb-ft from 1,500 rpm, so it simply walks away in situations where the 2.4i is downshifting and shouting.

There are trade-offs. The T5 asks for premium fuel (Volvo recommends 91 octane for the turbo), while the 2.4i is happy on regular. The turbo adds heat, plumbing, and complexity — more parts that can eventually need attention on a 15+ year-old car. Insurance is typically a touch higher on the T5. And the 6-speed manual, while engaging, has long throws; the 5-speed Geartronic auto in either car is the relaxed choice.

On fuel economy, the surprise is how close they are: factory combined figures differ by only a few percent, because the small turbo lets the T5 cruise efficiently off-boost. Your right foot matters more than your engine choice here.

Reliability and Running Costs

Both engines belong to Volvo’s modular five-cylinder family with a strong reputation, and the S40’s Ford C1 platform (shared with the contemporary Mazda3 and European Focus) is well understood by independent shops. Neither engine has a systemic Achilles’ heel, but age-appropriate checks apply to both: PCV/breather system condition, oil leaks from cam seals, coolant hoses, and — on the T5 — turbo and intercooler plumbing. The 2.4i’s simplicity is a genuine asset at this age: no turbo, no intercooler, regular fuel.

Parts availability remains good, and the enthusiast community is deep — but buy on maintenance records, not mileage alone. A T5 with a thick service file will outlast a neglected 2.4i every time. Budget for the same age-related items on either car: suspension bushings, brakes, and the timing belt service if there’s no record of it being done.

What They Cost Today

On the current used market, clean S40s of either spec typically trade between $4,000 and $9,000 depending on mileage, condition, and region, with T5 models — especially manual and AWD examples — commanding the upper end. The original $2,860 MSRP gap has largely collapsed: you’ll often find a T5 listed within $1,000–$1,500 of a comparable 2.4i. At that spread, the T5’s extra performance, gearbox choice, and AWD option make it the stronger value unless the 2.4i you’re looking at is dramatically cleaner or cheaper. As always with cars this age, a documented maintenance history is worth more than low mileage alone.

Which One Should You Buy?

Verdict

The T5 wins this comparison for most buyers, and it’s not particularly close. You get 35% more power, 39% more torque, a second and a half off the 0–60 time, an available manual gearbox, and optional all-wheel drive — for a used-market premium that has shrunk to a fraction of the original price gap, with barely any fuel-economy penalty. The 2.4i’s case rests entirely on simplicity: it’s the right choice if you want the cheapest possible entry, the lowest running costs, and you genuinely don’t care about acceleration. Everyone else should buy the T5 — and buy the one with the best service history, not the lowest mileage.

Sources

• Volvo Cars media (via media-downloads.volvocars.com) — 2008 S40 model overview: 2.4i 168 hp, T5 increased from 218 to 227 hp for 2008, transmission details
• Volvo Cars press release (Jun 2005) — 2006 S40 model overview: MSRP $23,755 (2.4i) / $26,615 (T5) / $28,390 (T5 AWD), 218-hp T5 specification
• CarBuzz — 2008 Volvo S40 specs: 168 hp / 170 lb-ft 2.4i, 227 hp / 236 lb-ft T5, ~8.2s and ~6.7s 0–60 times
• Motor Trend — 2004 S40 first drive and 2005 T5 AWD long-term review: engine details, 6-speed manual, Haldex AWD, real-world driving impressions
• RAC (UK) — Volvo S40 2004–2012 used review: 6.5s 0–60 T5, driving character notes

Frequently Asked Questions