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2009 Volvo V50 Safety Review

February 21, 2009

SAFETY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

levels of safety found in the flagship S80 luxury sedan
MyRide.com

safer than ever
Automobile

Volvo has focused even more attention on safety
Road & Track

a considerable amount of high-tensile steel
Kelley Blue Book

Volvo designs the 2009 V50 with the same active and passive safety features found on many of its newer platforms, although surprisingly, its crash-test record isn't perfect.

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

Hazard lights automatically engage any time the airbags are deployed. And with standard EBL (Emergency Brake Light) functionality, the brighter LED rear lights flash rapidly in a panic braking situation. 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.

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).

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.

Conclusion

In its class, the V50 likely remains one of the safest choices.

SAFETY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:levels of safety found in the flagship S80 luxury sedanMyRide.comsafer than everAutomobileVolvo has focused even more attention on safetyRoad & Tracka considerable amount of high-tensile steelKelley Blue Book Volvo designs the 2009 V50 with the same active and passive safety features found on many of its newer platforms, although surprisingly, its crash-test record isn't perfect. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates the S40 “good” across all measures for its frontal offset test. We expect the V50 to perform similarly when it is tested. In the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests, the S40 scores four stars for the driver and five for the passenger in frontal crash tests. It scores five stars for side impact testing for both front and rear seat passengers. Hazard lights automatically engage any time the airbags are deployed. And with standard EBL (Emergency Brake Light) functionality, the brighter LED rear lights flash rapidly in a panic braking situation. 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. 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). 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. ConclusionIn its class, the V50 likely remains one of the safest choices.  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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