Ferrari Will Be Offering Models With Smaller...
Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2009 Volvo V50 Bottom Line

September 30, 2009

By Bengt Halvorson's avatar Bengt Halvorson, EditorBengt Halvorson

TheCarConnection.com's editors drove the new Volvo V50 in order to give you an expert opinion. TheCarConnection.com's car enthusiasts researched available road tests on the new Volvo to produce this conclusive review and to help you find the truth where other car reviews might differ.

Likes:

  • Maneuverable and easy to park
  • Agility and poise of a larger car
  • Quiet, refined interior
  • Great styling stands out from rivals

Dislikes:

  • T5 lacks manual transmission
  • Top T5 models are pricey
  • Choppy ride in T5

Buying Tips:


If your daily commute includes rough asphalt riddled with frost heaves and potholes, the firmer suspension of the 2009 Volvo V50 T5 means the ride may border on uncomfortable.

Volvo’s small V50 wagon returns for the 2009 model year with significant revisions inside and out.

A longer list of standard and luxury features highlights the changes for the 2009 Volvo V50 sport wagon. The base 2.4i receives a high-performance sound system with six-disc in-dash CD player and MP3 capability, Sirius Satellite Radio, 17-inch "Spartacus” wheels, aluminum inlays, power moonroof, front fog lights, power driver's seat, and Bluetooth.

For 2009 the front-wheel-drive V50 T5 was discontinued, but the T5 AWD remains and is enhanced with standard aluminum roof rails, power driver seat memory, heated front seats, Bluetooth hands-free phone interface, and auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass. The T5 AWD also receives a unique grille with matte silver surround and R-Design logo, a sport body kit with color-coordinated side skirts and front and rear spoilers, Off Black Flextech/Crème premium leather seats, aluminum sport pedals, sport shift knob, R-Design inlays, watch dial instrument cluster, and sport steering wheel.

The 2.4-liter inline five-cylinder engine powering the V50 2.4i makes 168 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque, and it's mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. At 31 mpg on the highway, fuel economy is especially good in the 2.4i. The higher-powered V50 T5 models take on the turbocharged, 2.5-liter inline-five, which functions especially well with the five-speed automatic; the engine increases from 218 to 227 horsepower.

The 2009 Volvo V50 T5 AWD model has the latest version of the electronically controlled Haldex all-wheel-drive system. The system relies on slippage from the front wheels before torque is sent to the rear, but responds well to the V50’s needs on wet or slippery roads.

In general, the 2009 Volvo V50 has the refined responsiveness of a larger sport wagon. Both the 2.4i and T5 models offer impressive stability and poise during high-speed cruising and when navigating curvy mountain roads. Though the ride of the T5 can be somewhat pitchy at lower speeds, the handling of the T5 feels markedly sportier than Volvo’s larger sedans. Road noise is not the problem it can be in other small wagons and sedans, although the T5 is a bit louder in TheCarConnection.com's experience.

The interior design of the 2009 V50 is especially distinctive with a thin, "flat panel" center control stack housing audio and climate control functions. A pass-through area between the driver and passenger foot wells provide a feeling of greater spaciousness. In front, generous seats permit an upright, near-perfect position for most, but the backseat area is quite limited in legroom.

Active bi-xenon headlamps, which swivel in the direction the car is steered, are available on the 2009 Volvo T5 AWD, as are a navigation system and keyless drive. Safety features are by no means forgotten; Volvo’s Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) is an option on the V50, along with a new integrated child booster-seat system—a Volvo exclusive.

The 2009 Volvo V50 has not been crash tested, but standard safety features on the V50 include front side impact airbags, side curtain bags for front and rear outboard occupants, anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability control.

Other Choices:

If you like the 2009 Volvo V50, also consider:

Reason Why:

The 2009 Volvo V50 occupies the price range of smaller sport sedans such as the Audi A3 and BMW 3-Series. The more affordable Audi A3 is a closer rival to the V50, but the A3 isn’t as roomy inside and doesn’t have as many of the safety features that are optional in the V50. The A3 does feature a more fuel-efficient, and surprisingly powerful, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. In its base 2.5i form, the Subaru Impreza is a much more affordable alternative, with standard all-wheel drive and performance from its horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine that’s similar to that from the base five in the Volvo. But the so-called Impreza Wagon is no longer a wagon—it’s a shorter five-door hatchback. The 9-3 SportCombi, from Sweden’s other car brand, Saab, is perhaps the V50’s most direct rival; compared to the V50, the 9-3 SportCombi doesn't offer any more usable interior space, but it does promise more performance, with a more powerful line of four-cylinder and V-6 turbocharged engines. And all-wheel drive is now available throughout the 9-3 lineup—as opposed to on a single model as in the V50. The new VW Jetta Sportwagen is another close competitor; compared to the V50, the Sportwagen also feels very refined inside and has the settled ride of a larger car; the VW also has an interior configuration that feels roomier than that of the V50, although the V50 maintains a more distinctive appearance and feel inside.

The Bottom Line:

The 2009 Volvo V50 combines the available safety features and poise of a larger sport wagon with the efficiency and compactness of a small car.

TheCarConnection.com's editors drove the new Volvo V50 in order to give you an expert opinion. TheCarConnection.com's car enthusiasts researched available road tests on the new Volvo to produce this conclusive review and to help you find the truth where other car reviews might differ. Likes:Maneuverable and easy to parkAgility and poise of a larger carQuiet, refined interiorGreat styling stands out from rivalsDislikes:T5 lacks manual transmissionTop T5 models are priceyChoppy ride in T5Buying Tips: If your daily commute includes rough asphalt riddled with frost heaves and potholes, the firmer suspension of the 2009 Volvo V50 T5 means the ride may border on uncomfortable. Volvo’s small V50 wagon returns for the 2009 model year with significant revisions inside and out. A longer list of standard and luxury features highlights the changes for the 2009 Volvo V50 sport wagon. The base 2.4i receives a high-performance sound system with six-disc in-dash CD player and MP3 capability, Sirius Satellite Radio, 17-inch "Spartacus” wheels, aluminum inlays, power moonroof, front fog lights, power driver's seat, and Bluetooth. For 2009 the front-wheel-drive V50 T5 was discontinued, but the T5 AWD remains and is enhanced with standard aluminum roof rails, power driver seat memory, heated front seats, Bluetooth hands-free phone interface, and auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass. The T5 AWD also receives a unique grille with matte silver surround and R-Design logo, a sport body kit with color-coordinated side skirts and front and rear spoilers, Off Black Flextech/Crème premium leather seats, aluminum sport pedals, sport shift knob, R-Design inlays, watch dial instrument cluster, and sport steering wheel. The 2.4-liter inline five-cylinder engine powering the V50 2.4i makes 168 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque, and it's mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. At 31 mpg on the highway, fuel economy is especially good in the 2.4i. The higher-powered V50 T5 models take on the turbocharged, 2.5-liter inline-five, which functions especially well with the five-speed automatic; the engine increases from 218 to 227 horsepower. The 2009 Volvo V50 T5 AWD model has the latest version of the electronically controlled Haldex all-wheel-drive system. The system relies on slippage from the front wheels before torque is sent to the rear, but responds well to the V50’s needs on wet or slippery roads. In general, the 2009 Volvo V50 has the refined responsiveness of a larger sport wagon. Both the 2.4i and T5 models offer impressive stability and poise during high-speed cruising and when navigating curvy mountain roads. Though the ride of the T5 can be somewhat pitchy at lower speeds, the handling of the T5 feels markedly sportier than Volvo’s larger sedans. Road noise is not the problem it can be in other small wagons and sedans, although the T5 is a bit louder in TheCarConnection.com's experience. The interior design of the 2009 V50 is especially distinctive with a thin, "flat panel" center control stack housing audio and climate control functions. A pass-through area between the driver and passenger foot wells provide a feeling of greater spaciousness. In front, generous seats permit an upright, near-perfect position for most, but the backseat area is quite limited in legroom. Active bi-xenon headlamps, which swivel in the direction the car is steered, are available on the 2009 Volvo T5 AWD, as are a navigation system and keyless drive. Safety features are by no means forgotten; Volvo’s Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) is an option on the V50, along with a new integrated child booster-seat system—a Volvo exclusive. The 2009 Volvo V50 has not been crash tested, but standard safety features on the V50 include front side impact airbags, side curtain bags for front and rear outboard occupants, anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability control. Other Choices:If you like the 2009 Volvo V50, also consider:Volkswagen Jetta SportwagenSubaru Impreza WagonSaab 9-3 SportCombiAudi A3Reason Why:The 2009 Volvo V50 occupies the price range of smaller sport sedans such as the Audi A3 and BMW 3-Series. The more affordable Audi A3 is a closer rival to the V50, but the A3 isn’t as roomy inside and doesn’t have as many of the safety features that are optional in the V50. The A3 does feature a more fuel-efficient, and surprisingly powerful, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. In its base 2.5i form, the Subaru Impreza is a much more affordable alternative, with standard all-wheel drive and performance from its horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine that’s similar to that from the base five in the Volvo. But the so-called Impreza Wagon is no longer a wagon—it’s a shorter five-door hatchback. The 9-3 SportCombi, from Sweden’s other car brand, Saab, is perhaps the V50’s most direct rival; compared to the V50, the 9-3 SportCombi doesn't offer any more usable interior space, but it does promise more performance, with a more powerful line of four-cylinder and V-6 turbocharged engines. And all-wheel drive is now available throughout the 9-3 lineup—as opposed to on a single model as in the V50. The new VW Jetta Sportwagen is another close competitor; compared to the V50, the Sportwagen also feels very refined inside and has the settled ride of a larger car; the VW also has an interior configuration that feels roomier than that of the V50, although the V50 maintains a more distinctive appearance and feel inside. The Bottom Line:The 2009 Volvo V50 combines the available safety features and poise of a larger sport wagon with the efficiency and compactness of a small car. TheCarConnection.com's editors drove the new Volvo V50 in order to give you an expert opinion. TheCarConnection.com's car enthusiasts researched available road tests on the new Volvo to produce this conclusive review and to help you find the truth where other car reviews might differ. ...

Other Choices:

The 2009 Volvo V50 occupies the price range of smaller sport sedans such as the Audi A3 and BMW 3-Series. The more affordable Audi A3 is a closer rival to the V50, but the A3 isn’t as roomy inside and doesn’t have as many of the safety features that are optional in the V50. The A3 does feature a more fuel-efficient, and surprisingly powerful, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. In its base 2.5i form, the Subaru Impreza is a much more affordable alternative, with standard all-wheel drive and performance from its horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine that’s similar to that from the base five in the Volvo. But the so-called Impreza Wagon is no longer a wagon—it’s a shorter five-door hatchback. The 9-3 SportCombi, from Sweden’s other car brand, Saab, is perhaps the V50’s most direct rival; compared to the V50, the 9-3 SportCombi doesn't offer any more usable interior space, but it does promise more performance, with a more powerful line of four-cylinder and V-6 turbocharged engines. And all-wheel drive is now available throughout the 9-3 lineup—as opposed to on a single model as in the V50. The new VW Jetta Sportwagen is another close competitor; compared to the V50, the Sportwagen also feels very refined inside and has the settled ride of a larger car; the VW also has an interior configuration that feels roomier than that of the V50, although the V50 maintains a more distinctive appearance and feel inside.

Next Steps:

Get a free price quote

for the 2009 Volvo V50 from a dealer near you

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2009 Volvo V50

Check Financing Rates

for the 2009 Volvo V50

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2009 Volvo V50 near you

See the Volvo V50 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

Comments (0 total)

Be the first to post a comment

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy