![]()
Estate
The V50 is more a 'lifestyle' estate than an outright load carrier. With the rear seats folded, it offers a useful 1,307 litres of load space, which isn't as much as the 1,384-litre Mercedes-Benz C-Class or the 1,731-litre Volkswagen Passat estate.
expand / collapse
Nevertheless, it's still a very practical car, with a load area that is well thought out and split rear seats that fold quickly and simply. Up front, the cabin looks fantastic, thanks in no small part to the 'floating' centre console, which is attached to the main part of the dashboard only at the top and the bottom. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, and the fully adjustable steering wheel helps to ensure there should be a driving position to suit everyone. Standard safety features and general equipment are impressive, too. It's basically an impressive car to drive, too, with tidy handling and a strong range of petrol and diesel engines. All that's disappointing is the ride, which can be a little too firm.
Running Costs
Due to its popularity, you'll have to pay a little bit more for the V50 than its S40 saloon counterpart. However, it won't be as expensive as the equivalent BMW 3 Series or Audi A4 Avant. For example, three years after it was new, an Audi A4 2.0TDI will be worth 60% of its original price, a BMW 320d SE 51% and a 2.0D V50 - which cost less than its German rivals new - 51%. The Volvo will also cost less to service than its premium German opposition if you go to main dealers. However, independent Volvo experts are not especially cheap, charging similar rates to Mercedes-Benz specialists. Insurance costs start at group 9 for the entry level V50, rising to group 15, which is okay, if a little high. Least economical is the T5 petrol version - the cost for all that performance is an official 32.1mpg. The high-power diesel delivers 40.4mpg, but our recommended 2.0-litre turbodiesel delivers 48.7mpg.