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2008 Volvo V50 Safety Review

July 22, 2008

SAFETY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Volvo has focused even more attention on safety
Road & Track

This may be the safest car in this size class.
MyRide.com

a considerable amount of high-tensile steel
Kelley Blue Book

safer than ever
Automobile

Staying true to its safety roots even in its smallest entry-level wagon, Volvo has designed the 2008 V50 with standard and optional, as well as active and passive, safety features found on many of its newer platforms.

In the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests, the V50’s platform-mate, the S40, scored four stars for the driver, five for the passenger in frontal crash tests. It scored five stars for side impact testing for both front and rear seat passengers. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the S40 “good” across all measures for its frontal offset test. We expect the V50 to perform similarly when it is tested.

Standard active safety features include side impact and side curtain airbags, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, electronic stability system with traction control, and tire pressure monitoring. For 2008, the hazard lights now automatically engage any time the airbags are deployed. And with standard EBL (Emergency Brake Light) functionality, the new, brighter LED rear lights will flash rapidly in a panic braking situation.

Volvo’s BLIS (Blind Spot Information System), “which lights an indicator just inboard of either of the V50’s side mirrors when a car occupies its corresponding blind spot,” according to Cars.com, is a stand-alone option. Self-steering bi-xenon headlamps are available in T5 models. The Haldex AWD system can be had only on the T5 AWD for a premium of about $2,000. It engages only when front wheel slip is detected.

Building on the foundation of what Volvo dubs “Intelligent Vehicle Architecture,” it seems the company has attempted to include “the levels of safety found in the flagship S80 luxury sedan,” according to MyRide.com. That means four grades of steel in the front structure “to create optimal crumple zones” (Car and Driver) and “extremely rigid cross members for side-impact protection” (Kelley Blue Book).

Conclusion

Building on an already safe vehicle and a stout chassis, incremental upgrades to the 2008 Volvo V50 make it an even better choice for the safety-conscious buyer.

SAFETY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:Volvo has focused even more attention on safetyRoad & TrackThis may be the safest car in this size class.MyRide.coma considerable amount of high-tensile steelKelley Blue Booksafer than everAutomobile Staying true to its safety roots even in its smallest entry-level wagon, Volvo has designed the 2008 V50 with standard and optional, as well as active and passive, safety features found on many of its newer platforms. In the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests, the V50’s platform-mate, the S40, scored four stars for the driver, five for the passenger in frontal crash tests. It scored five stars for side impact testing for both front and rear seat passengers. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the S40 “good” across all measures for its frontal offset test. We expect the V50 to perform similarly when it is tested. Standard active safety features include side impact and side curtain airbags, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, electronic stability system with traction control, and tire pressure monitoring. For 2008, the hazard lights now automatically engage any time the airbags are deployed. And with standard EBL (Emergency Brake Light) functionality, the new, brighter LED rear lights will flash rapidly in a panic braking situation. Volvo’s BLIS (Blind Spot Information System), “which lights an indicator just inboard of either of the V50’s side mirrors when a car occupies its corresponding blind spot,” according to Cars.com, is a stand-alone option. Self-steering bi-xenon headlamps are available in T5 models. The Haldex AWD system can be had only on the T5 AWD for a premium of about $2,000. It engages only when front wheel slip is detected. Building on the foundation of what Volvo dubs “Intelligent Vehicle Architecture,” it seems the company has attempted to include “the levels of safety found in the flagship S80 luxury sedan,” according to MyRide.com. That means four grades of steel in the front structure “to create optimal crumple zones” (Car and Driver) and “extremely rigid cross members for side-impact protection” (Kelley Blue Book). ConclusionBuilding on an already safe vehicle and a stout chassis, incremental upgrades to the 2008 Volvo V50 make it an even better choice for the safety-conscious buyer.  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.

Next Steps:

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See the Volvo V50 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

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