2005 Volvo V50 Review

Specifications

No Longer a Wallflower

Volvo has wisely redesigned and re-engineered its V40 wagon for 2005. It was failing to stand out among a backdrop of premium wagons such as the Audi A4 Avant, BMW 3-Series Touring, Jaguar X-Type Estate and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Volvos wagon - now called the V50 - is no longer a wallflower in the highly popular segment of premium compact wagons. Apart from its familial nose and trademark D-pillar mounted taillights, the V50s exterior lines have become rather un-Volvo-like and every bit as clean and sleek as those defining the A4 Avant.

The V50s home run-design isnt limited to just the exterior, as it rounds the bases inside the five-seat cabin as well. Volvo has always impressed me with its distinctive, highly functional and attractive interior architecture. The materials in use, such as the genuine aluminum-trimmed center stack, impart a positive tactile experience save for some typically hard-molded plastic on the lower portion of the doors. I particularly like the grouping of controls on the center stack managing the HVAC and audio needs. Everything in this cluster is straightforward, although the button pattern could be somewhat larger for the myopic among us.

In addition to providing occupants with plenty of cranial and limb space, the V50 is capable of hauling items larger than its compact status would suggest. After folding the rear seat backs down, I was duly impressed when my road bike slid unimpeded through the rear hatch into the belly of the beast. Ah, this is perfect, no need to remove wheels or drop the seat, thanks to a maximum cargo capacity of 42.6 cubic feet. Bonus #2 followed the effortless bike loading - respite in seats more therapeutic than a registered masseuse, and much welcomed after a rain-filled training ride.

The V50 is powered by a 2.4-liter (146 cu in), inline five-cylinder engine. Due to forces well beyond my minute span of control, I have been fortunate enough to test two such engines this week, the other being Volkswagens new 2.5-liter (153 cu in) inline five-banger found beneath the hood of its all-new 2006 Jetta. Interestingly, VWs slightly bigger offering produces fewer horsepower but more torque than Volvos example, but only by a small margin. The Swede twists out 168-horsepower and 166 lb-ft of torque in its naturally aspirated state, while the German mill cranks out 150 horsepower, but 170 lb-ft of torque.

Without factoring-in vehicle weight and transmissions, I found Volkswagens five-cylinder to possess more spark than Volvos. It also sounds slightly raspier when producing the extra punch. Power delivery from Volvos five is more sedate, but the engine compensates for its lack of gusto with superior operating refinement and less noise. A run from 0 to 60 mph in the V50 is rated at a leisurely 8.6 seconds with the as-tested naturally aspirated engine. This can be easily remedied by ordering the V50 T5, which affixes a turbocharger and a six-speed manual gearbox to the 2.4-liter powerplant. Output climbs to 218 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque, all of which is capable of shaving two or so seconds off the acceleration run.

The remarkably smooth power generated under the hood of my tester was fed through a flawlessly performing five-speed manual stick, which traveled from gear to gear with short, definitive, butter-smooth throws. Shifting was made even more pleasurable by a light-effort, naturally progressive clutch. Likely due to a compact-sized footwell, the three business pedals seemed to be positioned fairly close together. Initially I found some awkwardness in maneuvering my size 10s without catching a pedal edge. As time passed though, I developed deftness for the pedals and grew to appreciate their tight proximity. If rowing through the cogs isnt your thing, a five-speed autobox featuring a manual mode is available.

The V50 is propelled by its front wheels, which can be kept in check with Volvos Dynamic Stability Traction Control (DSTC) system. If even greater road adhesion is desired, the V50 T5 is available with an electronically controlled, Haldex all-wheel drive (AWD) system. This option includes a firmer sport suspension setup, but my tester was equipped with the standard suspension arrangement, which suited me just fine. It struck a pleasant balance between taut handling and ride comfort. Overall, this vehicle is very well-balanced and predictable when tackling clover leafs or in emergency maneuvers. To generate front-end plow and significant body lean, the V50 has to be pushed unrealistically hard in a corner.

Complementing the V50s high level of occupant comfort is the absence of road noise. This really is a very quiet wagon, although wind rush becomes evident as highway speeds are surpassed; consider this an audible warning of sorts. And whether traversing the countryside by highway or the mall by parking lot, comfort can also be gleaned from Volvos commitment to occupant safety and protection. There is probably no other moderately priced vehicle packing around as much standard occupant protection equipment as the V50.

Its full house of protection begins with a robust safety cage, followed-up with adaptive driver and front passenger airbags, front seat side-airbags and side-curtain airbags effective for both front and rear seat occupants. In addition to three-point pre-tensioning seatbelts at all seating positions, the V50 is equipped with Volvos Whiplash Protection System, which cradles the head and spine in a controlled way if the car is struck from behind. Given the V50s powerful four-wheel antilock disc brakes, being rear-ended by a slower performing vehicle is a distinct possibility. Volvo has maximized the effectiveness of the V50s binders by providing Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) as standard equipment.

And standard equipment is something the V50 2.4i isnt shy of. Volvo has heavily laden its North American entry-level wagon with plenty of what drivers this side of the pond have come to expect in the V50s price range. Standard equipment includes cruise control, delayed lighting, air conditioning, outside temperature gauge, AM/FM CD six-speaker audio, pollen filter, power windows with auto-up and down, tilt-telescopic steering wheel, power locks and electronic key with immobilization. Moving upscale into the V50 T5 and T5 AWD adds additional content. If the comforts of leather upholstery, heated power front seats, glass moonroof, premium sound and navigation are prerequisites to Volvo ownership, they and much more are available in several option package upgrades.

I am pleased to see that Volvo doesnt require purchasers to invest in an option package in order to equip the V50 with the Dynamic Stability Traction Control program. Safety is something that should be available across the board, not linked to leather seats and fancy trim. Going a step further, or should I say, a skid further, Volvo could enhance its stellar reputation for safety by making DSTC standard equipment - so why not?

Aside from this, the V50 is a tremendously satisfying compact wagon. It delivers refinement as-good-as-it-gets in the realm of five-cylinder wagons, although a little more zip under the right foot, without paying the T5 premium, would make the former wallflower a near perfect standout.