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2008 Volvo V50 Quality Review

July 22, 2008

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

top-level fit and finish
Car and Driver

glovebox space is meager
Kelley Blue Book

small wagon with a premium feel
Edmunds

the quality feel we expect of the marque
Road & Track

Following Volvo tradition, the 2008 Volvo V50 belies its mid-20s base price, Ford Focus roots, and entry-level status across the model spectrum with comfortable seats and quality construction.

Up front are ergonomically designed chairs whose “comfort on long drives is undeniable,” remarks Kelley Blue Book. The high quality of the interior is undisputed: “From something as simple as a high-quality headliner to the clean and classy gauges, the cabin conveys an upscale feel from top to bottom,” says Edmunds. Model year 2008 also addresses a sore point with the interior, as Volvo wisely adds “more storage space in the doors and the center console,” according to Motor Trend.

Alas, the rear seat isn’t as hospitable, but none of its European rivals have Cadillac-large backseats either. Kelley Blue Book criticizes a “cramped rear seat and moderate headroom.” ConsumerGuide is kinder, stating, “two adults get decent head and elbow space, but three will feel pinched.”

As to its value in the marketplace, the V50’s pricing makes it a strong competitor. Kelley Blue Book remarks that it “undercuts the base Audi A4 and BMW 335 by a good margin,” but notes “the pricing gap closes quickly once comparable features are added.” The pricing starts in the mid-20s for a base 2.4i all the way to the low 40s for a loaded T5 AWD.

Conclusion

The 2008 Volvo V50 feels refined, though backseat passengers will be compressed.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:top-level fit and finishCar and Driverglovebox space is meagerKelley Blue Booksmall wagon with a premium feelEdmundsthe quality feel we expect of the marqueRoad & Track Following Volvo tradition, the 2008 Volvo V50 belies its mid-20s base price, Ford Focus roots, and entry-level status across the model spectrum with comfortable seats and quality construction. Up front are ergonomically designed chairs whose “comfort on long drives is undeniable,” remarks Kelley Blue Book. The high quality of the interior is undisputed: “From something as simple as a high-quality headliner to the clean and classy gauges, the cabin conveys an upscale feel from top to bottom,” says Edmunds. Model year 2008 also addresses a sore point with the interior, as Volvo wisely adds “more storage space in the doors and the center console,” according to Motor Trend. Alas, the rear seat isn’t as hospitable, but none of its European rivals have Cadillac-large backseats either. Kelley Blue Book criticizes a “cramped rear seat and moderate headroom.” ConsumerGuide is kinder, stating, “two adults get decent head and elbow space, but three will feel pinched.” As to its value in the marketplace, the V50’s pricing makes it a strong competitor. Kelley Blue Book remarks that it “undercuts the base Audi A4 and BMW 335 by a good margin,” but notes “the pricing gap closes quickly once comparable features are added.” The pricing starts in the mid-20s for a base 2.4i all the way to the low 40s for a loaded T5 AWD. ConclusionThe 2008 Volvo V50 feels refined, though backseat passengers will be compressed.  2008 VOLVO V50 STYLING | [8 out of 10] Car and Driver: “looks as if it had spent many a long winter's night at a Swedish gym” Cars.com: “substantially freshened for 2008” Edmunds: “Volvo didn't automatically commit to the 'longer, lower, wider' philosophy” Fresh and modern at its ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2008 Volvo V50 occupies a price range between that of economical five-door small hatchback models and wagon versions of smaller sport sedans such as the Audi A4 and BMW 3-Series. The more affordable Audi A3 is a closer rival to the V50 and includes a more fuel-efficient and surprisingly powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. However, the A3 isn’t as roomy inside; it doesn’t have many of the safety features that are optional in the V50. Another possibility is the Subaru Impreza; in its base 2.5i form, it’s 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, but the 9-3 SportCombi also has a cramped backseat while not offering the ride refinement and poise of the V50. All-wheel drive isn’t available on the SportCombi either.

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See the Volvo V50 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

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