...For professed safety conscious Volvo, a very sensitive indicator stem means that if you so much as breathe on it accidentally during a gear change, you get three unwanted flashes, when you want none - and you can't stop it!! Great if another car thinks you're turning off when you're not!!
The ... Read review
ABS Brakes, Air Conditioning, Alloy Wheels, CD Player, Central Locking, Diesel, Drivers ... more
Airbag, Electric Windows, Front fog lights, Immobiliser, Metallic paint, Multiple Airbags, Power Steering, Single CD Player, Tonneau Cover, Trip Comput..and more
ABS Brakes, Air Conditioning, Alloy Wheels, CD Player, Central Locking, Diesel, Drivers ... more
Airbag, Electric Windows, Front fog lights, Full Service History, Immobiliser, Metallic paint, Multiple Airbags, Power Steering, Single CD Player, Spli..and more
Saloon - Front (FWD) - 6 Speed - (Man) / 6 Speed Geartronic - (Auto) - 2401 cc - Max Speed: 143 mph - 185 bhp - Diesel - Available Trims: S, SE, SE Lux, SE Sport, Sport
Estate - Front (FWD) - 6 Speed - (Man) / 6 Speed Geartronic - (Auto) - 2401 cc - Max Speed: 140 mph - 185 bhp - Diesel - Available Trims: R-DESIGN, R-DESIGN Premium, SE, SE Lux, SE Lux Premium, SE Premium, S, Sport
...a safety conscious image company, Volvo has really got it really wrong controls wise. Dangerously so in my opinion (I'm an Advanced Driver, and used to drive 40-50000 miles per year - no convictions or accidents to date in over 25years, so I feel reasonably confident in my assessment).
For day to day practical load lugging - this car is not too brilliant either, mostly because Volvo can't be bothered to change the rear seat arrangements ... ...if you're looking for traditional Volvo values, forget it. If you want something that handles well gives good economy, and looks good too - then it’s very good. Very black & white, no mediocre here, the things it does well, it absolutely excels in, the things it does poorly in, are really very very poor.
For me though, with grown up kids, and limited times I need to load lug - I would choose it again, if only because you can learn ... more
Great car overall for performance and handling. But...
...For professed safety conscious Volvo, a very sensitive indicator stem means that if you so much as breathe on it accidentally during a gear change, you get three unwanted flashes, when you want none - and you can't stop it!! Great if another car thinks you're turning off when you're not!!
The thick "A pillar" means you can lose view of entire cars, and fiddly console buttons and a stupid menu system means where one press will do to turn on the Traffic Announcements on any other car, this one needs six, and from three separate buttons, all whilst viewing the menu screen. Crazy!!!
For RH drive versions (UK), the handbrake lever is near the passenger seat, great if you have a beautiful women next to you (wife, of course), but not good if its some fat geezer (yes I speak from experience). When it comes to loading and use the 60/40 split rear seats these are not good either.
Assume a long load, and you want to fold (the potentially useful) front passenger seat (which won't fold flat 'cos the head rest is too tall), but you still want room for two kids. No can do. The 40% split is behind the driver, so instead you have to loose two rear seats (60%), even if you're only sticking a length of 2" x 2" wood in the car. And, again, even if you only want a little bit extra load space and want to fold down the 40% rear seat, you can't do that without all the palaver of removing the, otherwise brilliant, cassette thing that holds a brolley, a roll up safety net, and a roll up rear luggage cover. It's heavy and awkward to do and then you need to store it somewhere...
For a safety conscious image company, Volvo has really got it really wrong controls wise. Dangerously so in my opinion (I'm an Advanced Driver, and used to drive 40-50000 miles per year - no convictions or accidents to date in over 25years, so I feel reasonably confident in my assessment).
For day to day practical load lugging - this car is not too brilliant either, mostly because Volvo can't be bothered to change the rear seat arrangements for RH drive versions. The lack of door pockets (microscopic in the front, and none at all in the back) is poor too.
For image and external design they have got that right, and it’s a delight to drive handling and performance wise- just don't knock the indicator or use the radio! Oh, and I'm getting 50mpg in urban traffic to and from work everyday.
So in summary, if you're looking for traditional Volvo values, forget it. If you want something that handles well gives good economy, and looks good too - then it’s very good. Very black & white, no mediocre here, the things it does well, it absolutely excels in, the things it does poorly in, are really very very poor.
For me though, with grown up kids, and limited times I need to load lug - I would choose it again, if only because you can learn to live with its short comings, and I love the styling. Maybe Volvo should become Italian.
Advantages: Fast effortless drive, stylish, surprisingly roomy cargo space Disadvantages: Bit small for 5 people, hard suspension
I acquired my Volvo V50 Sportswagon 2.0lt diesel in June of 2005 so at the time of writing this have been driving it for 6 months and have travelled about 9000 miles.
It's probably worth noting that prior to this I had been driving a SEAT Alhambra 7 seater so was used to excellent visibility and acres of room inside. A change of job and family down sizing gave the opportunity for a change.
I find the driving position to be generally comfortable ... ...a reasonable amount of leg room). However, I have an occasionally recurring back problem so still use a lumbar roll as a rule.
The clock is digital and inside the drivers instrument area, which is an irritation for watchless passengers (I'm told!!). Other than that I find the instruments easy to read. The messaging system is entertaining especially with younger passengers; being able to tell them to fasten their seat belts without looking round ...
SnowyCiao 28.12.2005
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Volvo V50 2.0 D SE Sportswagon
Advantages: Compact yet spacious enough Disadvantages: Dodgy ignition system
Driving over 40,000miles a year I need a solid, safe, dependable vehicle that has the capacity to carry a good amount of stuff and on occasion several dogs and do so in a calm, comfortable way. The V50 fits the bill.
Although a bit smaller than my previous V70 it still performs admirably and has a good turn of speed when you need it. Fuel economy is good if driven sensibly (usually around 48mpg although I have acheived 55+) and still pretty good ... ...they are.
My overall rating would have been excellent but for the fact that the somewhat unusual ignition system has failed twice and on both occasions needed replacing, taking the car off the road for a week each time. Dont let that put you off though, build quality is very good and aside the ignition I cant fault it. ...
carlhw37 24.07.2008
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Volvo V50 2.0 D SE Sportswagon
Advantages: speed and space Disadvantages: fuel consumption
...trusty.And I also regard the Volvo cars are welled designed to have a elegant apperance and comfortable inside room.Volvo V50 2.0DS 5dr Sortswagon has 6 speed manul gearbox and almost as fast as you want!It is no wonder that the sales of Volvo attain a peak in the US in 2003.There is no reason that it wouldn't be popular if you are a lover of speed .The fuel conseption of it might be a little larger compared to smaller cars but it is just OK to drive ...
ovi123 24.06.2008
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Volvo V50 2.0 D SE Sportswagon
Advantages: Smashing handling, outstanding build quality, very good performance/MPG Disadvantages: Insufficient front and rear storage pockets, offside blind spoy.
...well built with all the Volvo associated safety (curtain airbags, SIPS, etc) features and I have to say it has that nice solid 'clunk' when the doors are shut.
Sound system (6 CD) is very good without being outstanding - my son likes his music loud and undistorted - he likes this sound system.
Interior is grey leather and wood effect trimings rather than the alluminium coloured ones. Its functional, comfortable (long and short journeys) and reasonably ... ...many people opt for the Volvo range.
This review may appear to some to be too good to be true - I can only say it reflects the way I feel about the most expensive car I've owned - after 12 months of 'torture' at the hands of Peugeot and their dealers this car and its build quality is a joy. ...
StewBnufc 08.01.2007 (12.01.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Volvo V50 2.0 D SE Sportswagon
Advantages: Looks, performance, quiet Disadvantages: Small for an estate, poor fuel economy
...disappointed in how noisy the Volvo unit actually is. Fuel economy is also not the best. I drive the car moderately on motorways, A & B roads and can only return a maximum of 42 mpg.
The interior is functional if not slightly bland. Load capacity is reasonable but a Volvo 'estate' it isn't. Having said that it takes 2 adults and 2 kids + equipment on holiday 3 times a year with no problem. Recently the car spent 4 weeks at a Volvo dealer following ... ...at very inconvenient times. Volvo recognised this as a major safety issue and refused to release the car until it was fixed. 6,000 miles later and driving is now trouble free, so fair play to Volvo.
A nice car to drive, however lacking behind the likes of Audi & even Ford in terms of engine refinement. ...
jaybay32 30.12.2006
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Volvo V50 2.0 D SE Sportswagon
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