Volvo V50 Reviews

Volvo V50 - Autocar Review

2010-02-03T21:32:00.004Z

Here we have the Volvo V50 review from Autocar magazine, this particular road test is of the 2.0 diesel this time in sport guise, before it became known as the r design model. We don't like to show the full review here, we would rather you read it directly as the author in tended on Autocars own website, so here are a few snippets for you, and if you like what you see you can follow the link at the bottom of the blog post to their site and read the full thing.

Autocar Said:

"Beneath those expertly crafted lines lies the platform of nothing more noble than a Ford Focus. Some would get snotty about this but not us: we rate the Focus as having one of the best chassis around... so as far as we’re concerned, this particular marriage has a better chance than most of having a happy ending..."

"The suspension is compliant yet controlled over a wide range of surfaces while the steering is precise and direct..."

"The cabin is a minor masterpiece – unmistakeably Volvo but oozing class and quality. The single-piece waterfall dash is a lovely touch and gives the V50 a unique feel but this is just a highlight of an over-achieving interior..."

"By Volvo’s traditionally far from dynamic standards it’s a good step forward. Moreover it looks great and, powered by the diesel engine offers decent performance and excellent economy..."

to see the Volvo V50 Autocar review in all it's glory, just follow this link: Autocar Website Article.

Volvo V50 - Top Gear Review

2010-02-03T21:25:00.002Z

Here's the review of the Volvo V50 from the guys at the Top Gear magazine website. It's a general review of the range rather than focusing on one particular model variant, but it gives a good feel for what they think of the car. We aren't going to publish the whole thing here, just give you a taster to see if you like it, so if you'd like to read it in full then just follow the link at the bottom of this blog post.

Top Gear Said:

"The V50 has another example of Volvo's tasteful, individual, minimalist and modern interiors, so we like it. The whole car is chunky feeling..."

"The V50 isn't as boxy as bigger Volvo estates so it couldn't swallow a wardrobe. But there are lots of handy places to strap and stow stuff..."

"the superb T5, which is a fine-sounding engine and kicks you to 60mph in little over 6sec without being mad on the CO2..."

"Overall, If the V70 is a house in the Cotswolds, this is the slightly twee cottage next door..."

to visit the Top Gear website and read the full article, just click on this link: Top Gear Article.

Volvo V50 - What Car? Review

2010-02-03T21:14:00.003Z

This is the latest review from What Car? magazine on the Volvo V50 estate. What car focuses on the model as a whole rather than individual variants, but still gives a good idea of what the car is like to own broken down in a practical manner, although it can be a little dry to read. We don't want to steal their work so we're just going to show a few excerpts here and if you would like to read the whole thing you can visit their website by following the link at the bottom.

What Car? Said:

"The Volvo is not cheap for a small family car, but the V50's quality and high levels of standard equipment justify the price tag to a degree..."

"The smart money goes on either the 1.6- or 2.0-litre diesel engine, and even the least powerful one is quite punchy..."

"The ultra-slim centre console looks stylish, but the controls are small and fiddly and the information display could be clearer..."

"At faster speeds, the V50 is stable and controlled. Twisty routes can also be tackled with plenty of confidence, thanks to minimal body roll and ample grip..."

To read the full Volvo V50 review by What Car? just follow this link: What Car Article.

Volvo V50 - CAR Magazine Review

2010-02-03T20:58:00.002Z

Here we have the latest review of a Volvo V50 from CAR magazine online, and in this event they've tested the most popular European model - the 2.0 diesel, featuring the new "powershift" gearbox, which is Volvo's name for a dual clutch automatic gearbox, or DSG as Volkswagen calls it. We don't want to publish the whole review ans steal someone else's work ,so here's a few snippets and if you'd like to read the drive in its entirety you can just click on the link at the bottom of the post.

Car Magazine said:

"The truth is that this estate version of the S40 saloon is still a fine-looking car. R-Design, Volvo’s milder take on BMW’s MSport kit, has sprinkled its automotive pixie dust across Volvo’s range and now it’s made its way to the V50..."

"Clad in R-Design, the already smart-looking V50 becomes even more charming. Rivals, like the BMW 320d Touring, aren’t nearly as arresting visually..."

"You’ll either like the R-Design treatment or you won’t, but the V50 has enough panache to pull it off. This is a car that ticks the right boxes and is further proof that Volvo’s finding its mojo..."

"The gearbox is creamier than a tub of Häagen-Dazs, with smooth gearchanges up and down the 'box at an almost imperceptible rate..."

To read the full road test report, just follow this link: CAR Magazine Article

Volvo V50 - A Brief History.

2010-02-03T20:28:00.003Z

The Volvo V50 is the compact estate sister of the Volvo S40 saloon car. The use of different nomenclature is a peculiarity with Volvo cars who also separate the V70 and S80 in the same way despite being saloon and estate versions of the same car. The V50's predecessor, the V40 at least had the same number as its S40 brother. Quite why the brand seeks to separate the cars so much is a mystery.

The V50 was launched in its current guise at the 2003 bologna car show, and won many plaudits from show goers especially for its futuristic interior with a floating style centre console, a version of which is now seen on practically every new Volvo car launched since.

The V50 also marked the firms buyout by new owners Ford, as the car is based on the same underpinnings as the Ford Focus, itself known as one of the best drivers cars available, so it was a great starting point and so much better than the Mitsubishi Carisma that was the shared platform of the earlier V40.

The V50 also got a good combination of Ford engines to go with the platform, sharing a 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 petrol engines and a 2.0 litre diesel which was later to be joined also by a highly economical 1.6 litre diesel engine. The range also featured Volvo's 5 pot engines - its 2.4 litre D5 turbo-diesel and the 2.5 litre T5 turbocharged petrol engine, both of which give the car real go.