• HOME
• 
• AUTO LISTINGS
• 
• FINANCE
• 
• NEWS
• 
• DIRECTORY
• 
• REVIEWS
• 
• FORUM
• 
• BLOG
• 

2005 Volvo V50 2.4i Road Test

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.

Volvo has wisely redesigned and re-engineered its V40 wagon for 2005, and renamed it V50. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

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

Volvo has always impressed me with its distinctive, highly functional and attractive interior architecture. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

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

The V50 is powered by a 2.4-liter (146 cu in), inline five-cylinder engine. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

(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

A flawlessly performing five-speed manual stick traveled from gear to gear with short, definitive, butter-smooth throws. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

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

Overall, this vehicle is very well-balanced and predictable when tackling clover leafs or in emergency maneuvers. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

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.

Page:  1  2

AUTOMOBILE REVIEWS BY MAKE

Acura  Audi   Bentley   BMW   Buick   Cadillac   Chevrolet   Chrysler   Daewoo   Dodge   Eagle   Ferrari   Ford   Geo   GMC   Honda   Hummer   Hyundai   Infiniti   Isuzu   Jaguar   Jeep   Kia   Lamborghini   Lexus   Lincoln   Lotus   Maserati   Mazda   Mercedes-Benz   Mercury   MINI   Mitsubishi   Nissan   Oldsmobile   Plymouth   Pontiac   Porsche   Saab   Saturn   Scion   Subaru   Suzuki   Toyota   Volkswagen   Volvo