Nearly 35 years ago, I drove my family's four-door Volvo sedan about 400 miles in one day. The journey was from Riverside to Walnut Creek, Calif., and despite my mother and grandmother's concerns, as a teenage driver I drove the entire way home from my sister's college graduation

I nearly fell asleep at the wheel more than once. But I pridefully made it, arriving home with some youthful, misguided pride.

My family's four-door, automatic transmission sedan was boxy and underpowered. But its secure ride -- the well-known Volvo trait -- was something to experience.

Fast forward to my recent weekly drive of the 2006 Volvo S40, and the Swedish vehicle still has the same solid feel -- the Volvo "signature."

But just like with many other manufacturers, Volvo has gone through a lot a changes in 3 1/2 decades. Still, while driving the S40 it's hard to accept that it's the manufacturer's entry level sedan -- at a base price of $26,615.

My test vehicle -- the 2.5-liter, 5-cylinder, 218-horsepower T5 with a six-speed automatic transmission (a $1,200 option) -- included nearly another $7,000 in options. It's grouped with such rivals as the Acura TSX, Audi A4 and Saab 9-3 in the premium compact car category.

Any definition as boxy is now long gone from Volvo. The newly designed S40 and V50 (wagon) replaced the previous more conservation models in 2005, and this year's offerings include additional minor trim tinkering. Volvo had appreciable success with its Euro-styled sports car and sedan and in the 1960s and 970s. The current models rely on many of those style traits, although modernized.

The S40 and V50 are both available in three models, with my front-wheel drive the sportiest option. Its $2,000 Dynamic Trim option package
includes front and trunk lid spoilers, low rear valance, side moldings, a "sport" suspension and 17-inch alloy wheels.

The option package is fine, but it's the Volvo's steering handling that impresses. The car steers with confidence, if not aggression, and it maneuvers around corners and in and out of various traffic situations with tight assuredness. Combined with its quick, turbocharged acceleration (Consumer Guide clocked it at 6.9 second in the 0-60 standard test) the S40 is as much sports car as sedan.

But its sports car performance is complemented by superior front-seat room and more than adequate rear seat room. The S40 is quiet for its style, its ride quality is above average and overall the car is a fin presentation modern style, good design and functionality.

The S40's standard features list is varied: a fold-flat passenger seat to heated power mirrors, illuminated visor mirrors to daytime running lights, turn-signal indicators in outside rear view mirrors to fog lights in the front spoiler.

The only minor but potentially problematic issue with the S40 is the position of the ignition. The plastic key fob is difficult to remove without bumping (and engaging) the windshield wiper arm. It's a small annoyance, and the S40's long list of positives  still warrant as much purchasing consideration as any vehicle in its class.

Safety Features — Dual front airbags (standard); front side and curtain side airbags (optional).

Fuel Mileage (estimates) — 22 mpg (city), 31 mpg (highway).

Warranty — Bumper to bumper, 4 years/50,000 miles; Corrosion, 8 years/unlimited miles; (24-hour) roadside assistance program, 5 years/unlimited miles; Free schedule maintenance, 3 years/30,000 miles

Base Price — $26,615.00