SOMETIMES after a road-test I struggle to muster an opinion on the car that has been subjected to my driving skills.
Now I realise that doesn't sound the sort of thing a motoring journalist should admit, but bear with me on this one.
Such occasions usually arise after driving something that's OK to look at and where everything works as it should. But such vehicles - blandmobiles as I like to call them - just don't inspire me.
The Volvo S40 falls into this category.
The 2.0-litre T Sport is nothing special to look at, but neither is it repulsive. It has plenty of power at its disposal, records a respectable 0-62 mph time and is a fairly nippy and comfortable drive.
But it doesn't stand out from the compact premium saloon crowd, nor does it show any sign of threatening to.
Since being unveiled by the Swedish company in 1995, the S40 has been updated with a chassis upgrade in 2000 and cosmetic changes for this year.
The chassis alterations saw the front track widened, wheelbase increased and changes made to springs and dampers to provide a more cossetting ride. The more recent exterior changes involved introducing a black grille and body-coloured side mouldings.
Whoopee-doo, plenty to get excited about there, then!
Even the Sport version, with its front and rear spoilers, 17-inch alloy wheels and double headlamps with black surround looks middle-aged and dated.
The interior doesn't get the juices flowing either. The quality of the cream-coloured leather interior and dash is fine, the control panel is easy to use and dials perfectly clear. But it lacks a certain something, so much so that the biggest plus point for me is the very large boot.
Driving the S40 does provoke more of a positive feeling about the Dutch-built car.
The 163 bhp engine can hit 62 mph from start in a more than acceptable 8.5 seconds.The drive feels pacey and throughout the rev range there's more than enough torque at your disposal. Motorway driving is a breeze as the S40 takes cruising and overtaking in its stride.
Put the car through its paces on urban and country roads and you'll find it easy to handle and the ride on the soft side. Steering feels light but responsive and the five-speed gearbox has a firm, positive shift action. Economy is respectable at almost 36 mpg combined.
I'm running out of things to say now.
The Volvo S40 is OK. Just don't expect your heart to beat faster or pulse race when you get behind the wheel.
But if that doesn't matter to you anyway, then there's always Volvo's legendary safety standards to boast about.
FAST FACTS
Volvo S40 2.0 T Sport
Price: £18,475
Mechanical: 163bhp, 1948cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox
Max Speed: 137mph
0-62mph: 8.5 secs
Combined mpg: 35.8
Insurance Group: 14
CO2 emissions: 217g/km
BiK rating: 27%
Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles