The Volvo V50 is a compact premium executive station wagon that was in production between 2004 and 2012. The V50 replaced the Volvo S40 as the entry-level Volvo family estate because the S40 started to decline in sales rapidly. The V50 managed to also sell relatively well before it ceased production in 2012.
The V50 engine lineup consists of smaller inline 4-cylinder engines and more powerful inline 5-cylinder engines. There are also quite a few 4-cylinder diesel options available. All the V50 engines are decent, bar the pre-2010 1.6d, older 1.8L, and 2.0L inline 4-cylinder engines.
Design-wise, the V50 utilizes the classic Volvo boxy estate design with an interior that is now starting to show its age a bit. The suspension and chassis of the V50 are tailored towards a quiet and comfortable drive which means that the V50 is no sports car.
The value of the V50 is now strong which means that the V50 is a fairly popular used estate car option. Practicality-wise, the V50 is superior to most compact luxury cars out there as it offers superior seating and cargo space. Reliability is also above average which is why the V50 is a worthy used car consideration.
Volvo V50 – The powertrain
The Volvo V50 engine lineup starts with the 1.6L inline 4-cylinder with 100hp and the 1.8L inline 4-cylinder with 125hp. The 2.0L inline 4-cylinder makes 145 while the 2.4L 4-cylinder makes 140hp. The post-facelift 1.6L Kinetic petrol engines make around 100hp. The top-level engine is the T5 inline 5-cylinder engine with 230hp.
Diesel engines include 1.6L, 2.0L, and 2.5L engines with power outputs between 110 and 180hp. All V50 models are front-wheel-driven and are mostly available with a 5-speed manual, bar the more powerful T5 models which come with an automatic gearbox.
The V50 is able to return up to 33MPG at best which means that it is decently efficient. All engines are smooth and sophisticated while the T5 inline 5-cylinder engine is the best of the bunch. As far as diesel engines go, the post-2010 1.6d is the one to get.
Volvo V50 – Design and chassis
The Volvo V50 utilizes a classic Volvo boxy estate design language which makes the car unquestionably Volvo. The post-facelift versions do look more modern both inside and out. The interior is packed with ergonomic controls and lots of high-quality materials which are able to stand the test of time decently.
The R-Design models look the best from the outside, but other V50 models are fairly dependent on the exterior options selected. This means that the V50 looks decent, not great, not terrible. The suspension and chassis tuning of the V50 is unmistakably tailored towards comfort which means that the V50 feels right at home on the highway.
R-Design models are a tad bit more dynamic thanks to a stiffer suspension setup but are also comfortable cars. The V50 is made to be comfortable because Volvo intended the V50 to tailor primarily towards families.
Volvo V50 – Reliability and common issues
The Volvo V50 is a fairly reliable car, but it is not perfect. The most common Volvo V50 issues are associated with the engine, the brakes, the steering system, the suspension, and the electronics. The good thing is that most of these can be resolved relatively easily while spare parts are readily available.
All in all, the Volvo V50 is one of the most reliable Volvo estate cars, especially the post-facelift models. They are known to experience issues just like any other car out there, but if you maintain them well, they are likely going to last a long time.
Volvo V50 – Value and practicality
The Volvo V50 can be had between $5,000 and $15,000 depending on the model year, equipment list, the engine, the mileage, and the overall condition. For such a price, the V50 is worth considering, especially because it is fairly reliable while also being relatively cheap to maintain.
One of the main reasons why people opt to buy the V50 is because of its practicality. The V50 offers more than enough space for up to four adults while the cargo space is huge. The V50 offers decent all-round visibility, lots of interior cargo spaces, and easy-to-reach child seat mounting points.
FAQ Section
Is the Volvo V50 safe?
The Volvo V50 is not all that new, but it is still available with lots of state-of-the-art safety features, especially the newer models. As such, the Volvo V50 is a safe car. This comes as no surprise as Volvo has always tried the push the boundaries when it comes to car safety because they are the ones that pioneered many safety solutions we use today.
The V50 is lacking the very newest active software safety systems, but most of these are not all that useful anyway. The main safety features are superior crash testing results which the V50 estate certainly does deliver.
How long can the Volvo V50 last?
The Volvo V50 should easily be able to last upwards of 200,000 miles without needing major overhauls. Many proud owners online are happy to state that their V50 models are even able to last twice as long. However, this is only possible if you maintain the car properly. Even the most reliable consumer cars are only as reliable as much as you maintain them.
The most long-lasting V50 engines are the T5 inline 5 and the post-2010 1.6L diesel engine. Many owners are reporting that these two are also relatively cheap to maintain as well. All in all, the V50 should stand the test of time easily.
How much does it cost to maintain the Volvo V50?
Many online sources state that the V50 costs between $400-$800 each year. This includes both maintenance costs and potential repairs needed. As such, the V50 is in line with the most compact luxury sedans and estates from this era and even manages to beat some of its German rivals.
All in all, the V50 is a premium car that is now almost 20 years old. If the car has been properly taken care of throughout its lifetime, it is likely going to cost less down the line when compared to those V50 models that were not all that well maintained early in their lifetime.
