But before I delve into driving dynamics I've got to say a thing or two about the car's wonderful ambience inside. As soon as I sat down in the S40's ergonomically correct driver's seat I noticed a giant leap forward in interior execution when compared to the outgoing car. Sure the 2004 model is pretty good, but the 2005 S40 approaches BMW territory for quality and refinement, and in the case of design layout easily surpasses the aging 3-Series.

As soon as I sat inside, I knew Volvo had made a giant leap forward in interior execution over the previous S40. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

I love the innovative door panels, with their substantially sized window sill cum armrest covered in high-quality grained plastic surfacing, squared off slightly at the edges before ebbing inward just below to make room for the arm when driving. Stylistically the curvaceous lower door panel is a wonderful contrast to the sharper corners found just above, just one small part of a very cohesive design.

My tester featured authentic aluminum tastefully applied throughout the cabin. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

While my test car featured authentic aluminum trim surrounding the inside door grips, power window switch surrounds and center stack, I was able to get a close look at the faux woodgrain and unique clear gray plastic Volvo dubs Iced-Aqua which is also available. Both look great, and appeal to entirely different ends of the style spectrum. The former gives the car a traditional luxury appearance, especially well suited to upscale leather seats and trim. The latter is funkier, an industrial art project put into real-life application that looks stunning when accompanied by the car's T-Tec upholstery. It features contrasting stitching in three expressive colors plus seems like it will be very durable in the long run.