Volvo V40 1997 vs SAAB 9-3 1998
| Body: | Estate car / wagon | Hatchback | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gearbox: | Manual | Manual | |
| Engine: | 1.9 Petrol | 2.0 Petrol | |
| Camshaft drive: | Timing belt | Timing chain | |
| Timing belt usually needs to be replaced more often than the chain, but it is usually significantly cheaper. Timing belt motors are generally quieter and less vibrating than chain motors. | |||
Performance | |||
| Power: | 200 HP | 130 HP | |
| Torque: | 300 NM | 177 NM | |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h: | 7.3 seconds | 11 seconds | |
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Volvo V40 is more dynamic to drive. Volvo V40 engine produces 70 HP more power than SAAB 9-3, whereas torque is 123 NM more than SAAB 9-3. Thanks to more power Volvo V40 reaches 100 km/h speed 3.7 seconds faster. | |||
Fuel consumption | |||
| Fuel consumption (l/100km): | 9.2 | 9.1 | |
| Real fuel consumption: | 10.3 l/100km | 9.1 l/100km | |
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The SAAB 9-3 is a better choice when it comes to fuel economy. By specification Volvo V40 consumes 0.1 litres more fuel per 100 km than the SAAB 9-3, which means that if you drive 15,000 km in a year, the Volvo V40 could require 15 litres more fuel. By comparing actual fuel consumption based on user reports, Volvo V40 consumes 1.2 litres more fuel per 100 km than the SAAB 9-3. | |||
| Fuel tank capacity: | 60 litres | 68 litres | |
| Full fuel tank distance: | 650 km in combined cycle | 740 km in combined cycle | |
| 800 km on highway | 1000 km on highway | ||
| 580 km with real consumption | 740 km with real consumption | ||
| SAAB 9-3 gets more mileage on one fuel tank. | |||
Engines | |||
| Average engine lifespan: | 350'000 km | 480'000 km | |
| Engine resource depends largely on regular maintenance and the quality of the oils and fuels used, but under equal conditions the average life of a SAAB 9-3 engine could be longer. | |||
| Engine production duration: | 3 years | 6 years | |
| Engine spread: | Used also on Volvo S40 | Installed on at least 2 other car models, including SAAB 9000, SAAB 900 | |
| In general, the longer and for more car models an engine is produced, the better its serviceability and availability of spare parts. SAAB 9-3 might be a better choice in this respect. | |||
| Hydraulic tappets: | no | yes | |
| The SAAB 9-3 engine has hydraulic tappets (lifters), providing quieter operation and no need for periodic adjustment, but they are more complex in design and can cause serious engine damage in case of failure. | |||
Dimensions | |||
| Length: | 4.48 m | 4.63 m | |
| Width: | 1.72 m | 1.71 m | |
| Height: | 1.41 m | 1.43 m | |
| Volvo V40 is 15 cm shorter than the SAAB 9-3, 1 cm wider, while the height of Volvo V40 is 2 cm lower. | |||
| Trunk capacity: | 471 litres | no data | |
| Trunk max capacity: with rear seats folded down |
1421 litres | no data | |
| Turning diameter: | 10.6 meters | 10.5 meters | |
| The turning circle of the Volvo V40 is 0.1 metres more than that of the SAAB 9-3. | |||
| Gross weight (kg): | 1`810 | 1`600 | |
| Safety: | no data | ||
| Quality: | below average | high | |
| SAAB 9-3 has fewer problems. According to annual technical inspection data Volvo V40 has serious deffects in 40 percent more cases than SAAB 9-3, so SAAB 9-3 quality is probably significantly better | |||
| Average price (€): | 600 | 800 | |
| Rating in user reviews: | 6.4/10 | 7.8/10 | |
| Pros and Cons: |
Volvo V40 has
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SAAB 9-3 has
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