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2009 Volvo V50 Review

February 21, 2009

STYLING | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

athletic, highlighted by short overhangs and bulging fenders
Car and Driver

Volvo didn't automatically commit to the 'longer, lower, wider' philosophy
Edmunds

substantially freshened
Cars.com

The 2009 Volvo V50 remains fresh and modern with exterior and interior tweaks to keep it competitive and fix some interior complaints. Exterior changes for '09 include high-intensity LED rear lights and restyled front projector beam headlights.

Car and Driver describes the Volvo V50 as “athletic, highlighted by short overhangs and bulging fenders,” According to Cars.com, a “V-shaped hood bulge runs into a more sculpted nose.”

Kelley Blue Book says the V50’s interior is “Scandinavian in nature” and must surely “qualify as no-frills.” Inside the V50 resides a functional, cool place to work its controls. The interior retains “the button-and-knob-infused stack” that “isn't immediately intuitive,” according to Car and Driver, but Volvo has made numerous updates in response to complaints. Chief among the changes are additional storage cubbies for “more storage space in the doors and the center console,” says Motor Trend. Cars.com adds that “the center armrest is modified for greater comfort, and the handbrake handle is smaller and less intrusive.”

Of the V50’s tailgate, Automobile feels that its “V70-like tailgate,” a standard clamshell design, is “a shame—designers should have gone with a wackier C30-like butt,” although TheCarConnection.com editors are happy with the decision, as the C30's fashionable hatch design sacrifices functionality and privacy.

Conclusion

The 2009 Volvo V50 has a design that's straightforward and somewhat basic on the outside while quite distinctive inside.

STYLING | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:athletic, highlighted by short overhangs and bulging fendersCar and DriverVolvo didn't automatically commit to the 'longer, lower, wider' philosophyEdmundssubstantially freshenedCars.com The 2009 Volvo V50 remains fresh and modern with exterior and interior tweaks to keep it competitive and fix some interior complaints. Exterior changes for '09 include high-intensity LED rear lights and restyled front projector beam headlights. Car and Driver describes the Volvo V50 as “athletic, highlighted by short overhangs and bulging fenders,” According to Cars.com, a “V-shaped hood bulge runs into a more sculpted nose.” Kelley Blue Book says the V50’s interior is “Scandinavian in nature” and must surely “qualify as no-frills.” Inside the V50 resides a functional, cool place to work its controls. The interior retains “the button-and-knob-infused stack” that “isn't immediately intuitive,” according to Car and Driver, but Volvo has made numerous updates in response to complaints. Chief among the changes are additional storage cubbies for “more storage space in the doors and the center console,” says Motor Trend. Cars.com adds that “the center armrest is modified for greater comfort, and the handbrake handle is smaller and less intrusive.” Of the V50’s tailgate, Automobile feels that its “V70-like tailgate,” a standard clamshell design, is “a shame—designers should have gone with a wackier C30-like butt,” although TheCarConnection.com editors are happy with the decision, as the C30's fashionable hatch design sacrifices functionality and privacy. ConclusionThe 2009 Volvo V50 has a design that's straightforward and somewhat basic on the outside while quite distinctive inside.  2009 VOLVO V50 STYLING | [8 out of 10] Car and Driver: “athletic, highlighted by short overhangs and bulging fenders” Edmunds: “Volvo didn't automatically commit to the 'longer, lower, wider' philosophy” Cars.com: “substantially freshened” The 2009 Volvo V50 remains fresh and ...

Read More of this Review:

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

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.

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See the Volvo V50 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

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