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2009 Volvo V50 Quality Review

February 21, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

two adults get decent head and elbow space, but three will feel pinched
ConsumerGuide

comfort on long drives is undeniable
Kelley Blue Book

the quality feel we expect of the marque
Road & Track

small wagon with a premium feel
Edmunds

The quality construction belies the 2009 Volvo V50’s mid-20s base price, Ford Focus roots, and entry-level status, while seats provide industry-leading comfort.

The 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. Up front are ergonomically designed chairs whose “comfort on long drives is undeniable,” remarks Kelley Blue Book. Volvo also addresses a sore point with the interior and 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. ConsumerGuide says that “two adults get decent head and elbow space, but three will feel pinched,” while Kelley Blue Book criticizes the “cramped rear seat and moderate headroom.”

Pricing for the 2009 Volvo V50 starts in the mid-20s for a base 2.4i, making it a strong competitor in the marketplace. But prices go all the way to the low 40s for a fully loaded T5 AWD; 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.”

Conclusion

The 2009 Volvo V50 brings unexpectedly high standards of refinement, though backseat passengers will want more room.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:two adults get decent head and elbow space, but three will feel pinchedConsumerGuidecomfort on long drives is undeniableKelley Blue Bookthe quality feel we expect of the marqueRoad & Tracksmall wagon with a premium feelEdmunds The quality construction belies the 2009 Volvo V50’s mid-20s base price, Ford Focus roots, and entry-level status, while seats provide industry-leading comfort. The 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. Up front are ergonomically designed chairs whose “comfort on long drives is undeniable,” remarks Kelley Blue Book. Volvo also addresses a sore point with the interior and 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. ConsumerGuide says that “two adults get decent head and elbow space, but three will feel pinched,” while Kelley Blue Book criticizes the “cramped rear seat and moderate headroom.” Pricing for the 2009 Volvo V50 starts in the mid-20s for a base 2.4i, making it a strong competitor in the marketplace. But prices go all the way to the low 40s for a fully loaded T5 AWD; 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.” ConclusionThe 2009 Volvo V50 brings unexpectedly high standards of refinement, though backseat passengers will want more room.  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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