Volvo V50 (04 on) - Review Review by Dan Harrison on 05 March 2008 Last Updated: 16 April 2012 Volvo is one of the great estate makers - it's been doing it for decades. Volvos have always been practical, but those launched in more recent years - such as the Volvo V50 - have been increasingly stylish too. The V50 is essentially the estate version of the S40 saloon and is a good value alternative to the likes of the BMW 3 Series Touring with good levels of standard equipment, an elegant interior and strong build quality. There are also low-emissions DRIVe versions available that offer low running costs thanks to cheaper road tax and impressive fuel economy while the R-Design models get a sporty look inside and out. Volvo would like to consider the V50 a premium product and it’s fair to say that the interior is a classy affair with solid, aesthetically pleasing switchgear. Ergonomically, it’s unrivalled: seat comfort is among the best and the controls that sit in the ‘floating’ central console, are easy to understand. One might consider the V50 something of an unnecessary luxury when you consider the premium badge, but entry level models have a surprisingly low list price to go with a generous kit list. The DRIVe models might well be attractive to those looking to cut down their monthly costs but you’ll pay around £500 more on the list price if you go for the base ES model. The engine range isn’t confusingly exhaustive with a 143bhp 2.0-litre petrol, a 113bhp 1.6-litre diesel and a 149bhp 2.0-litre diesel. The 2.0-litre diesel can be specified with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the rest of the engine line-up comes with a six-speed manual. The ES only comes with the 1.6-litre diesel and 2.0-litre petrol however. If practicality is your priority then the Volvo is a strong choice: there’s plenty of leg- and headroom and the sizeable 417-litre boot extends to 1,307 litres with the rear seats down. The trim line-up of ES, SE, SE Lux and R-Design is pretty straightforward as you will see in our equipment section but we would recommend the DRIVe version in the SE Lux trim because it offers a generous level of equipment at a comparatively affordable price. For the full Volvo V50 review read on… 4 out of 5 Other Volvo reviews Summary Facts & Figures Equipment Driving & Performance Comfort Costs Safety & Reliability Buying & Selling Also Consider Company Car Info Owners' Reviews Gallery 4 out of 5 Summary Tweet New price range: £19,755 - £27,490 View all new prices Used price range: £2,899 - £22,477 View all used prices See 19 new models for sale from £16,485 Get a Volvo V50 (04 on) information pack Next steps Volvo V50 cars for sale Use our cars for sale search facility to find great deals on second hand cars. We have 305 models like this for sale, starting at £3,995. Find used Volvo V50s for sale Stylish design, compact yet practical, low running costs with DRIVe versions, strong diesel models Fidgety ride, loses out to rivals for outright carrying capacity Volvo is one of the great estate makers - it's been doing it for decades. Volvos have always been practical, but those launched in more recent years - such as the Volvo V50 - have been increasingly stylish too. The V50 is essentially the estate version of the S40 saloon and is a good value alternative to the likes of the BMW 3 Series Touring with good levels of standard equipment, an elegant interior and strong build quality. There are also low-emissions DRIVe versions available that offer low running costs thanks to cheaper road tax and impressive fuel economy while the R-Design models get a sporty look inside and out. Volvo would like to consider the V50 a premium product and it’s fair to say that the interior is a classy affair with solid, aesthetically pleasing switchgear. Ergonomically, it’s unrivalled: seat comfort is among the best and the controls that sit in the ‘floating’ central console, are easy to understand. One might consider the V50 something of an unnecessary luxury when you consider the premium badge, but entry level models have a surprisingly low list price to go with a generous kit list. The DRIVe models might well be attractive to those looking to cut down their monthly costs but you’ll pay around £500 more on the list price if you go for the base ES model. The engine range isn’t confusingly exhaustive with a 143bhp 2.0-litre petrol, a 113bhp 1.6-litre diesel and a 149bhp 2.0-litre diesel. The 2.0-litre diesel can be specified with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the rest of the engine line-up comes with a six-speed manual. The ES only comes with the 1.6-litre diesel and 2.0-litre petrol however. If practicality is your priority then the Volvo is a strong choice: there’s plenty of leg- and headroom and the sizeable 417-litre boot extends to 1,307 litres with the rear seats down. The trim line-up of ES, SE, SE Lux and R-Design is pretty straightforward as you will see in our equipment section but we would recommend the DRIVe version in the SE Lux trim because it offers a generous level of equipment at a comparatively affordable price. For the full Volvo V50 review read on… Driving & Performance Performance 4 out of 5"There have been a number of engine line-up changes for this model so Volvo V50 performance is varied..." Handling 3.5 out of 5"The V50 certainly feels nimble, especially if you're used to the traditionally vague handling..." Comfort Comfort 4 out of 5"It's a wider car than the old V40, which it replaced, so there's much more shoulder room than..." Practicality 4 out of 5"There's a bit more load space than the old V40. The rear seats are east to fold flat and when..." Equipment 4 out of 5"The trim line-up on the Volvo V50 is pretty straightforward with ES, SE, SE Lux and R-Design on..." Behind the wheel 4 out of 5"Thanks to good quality soft-touch materials, the interior has a suitably upmarket feel. The buttons..." Costs Running costs 4 out of 5"Choosing a diesel V50 should offer relatively low-cost motoring despite its relatively high price..." Green credentials 4.5 out of 5"Volvo V50 emissions levels are fantastic for what is a sizeable estate car. The greenest models in..." Safety & Reliability Safety 4.5 out of 5"This is essentially an estate version of the S40, which gained a five-star rating in the Euro NCAP..." Reliability 3.5 out of 5"The V50 hasn't been without its problems and there have been numerous recalls which is unusual for a..." Buying & Selling Buying new 3 out of 5"A Volvo dealer would probably be happy for customers to negotiate a small discount on a new V50,..." Buying used 4 out of 5"There's plenty of used choice, from Volvo dealers, independents and in private sales. But it's worth..." Selling 4 out of 5"V50s are more appealing than the Volvo S40 saloon on which it is based and a diesel version should..." Gallery View full gallery Owners' reviews Used Volvo V50 (04 on) 1.6D DRIVe S 5d 3 out of 5 “ The car seat for me but not for my husband. ” Linda Gibson Living with it Volvo V50 Six months didn't seem to take long in the V50 - and it seems bizarre now that my first journeys... Car Valuations Find used car prices with Parkers accurate car valuations. Find out more Volvo V50 cars for sale We have 305 models like this for sale. Find Volvo V50 cars for sale Next: Facts & Figures
Used Volvo V50 (04 on) 1.6D DRIVe S 5d 3 out of 5 “ The car seat for me but not for my husband. ” Linda Gibson
Volvo V50 Six months didn't seem to take long in the V50 - and it seems bizarre now that my first journeys...