Volvo V50 Range : FIFTY NOT OUT

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The V50 has, in its own quiet way, notched up some decent sales figures for Volvo. Since it was launched, some noteworthy competitors have tried to muscle in. Andy Enright reports on Volvos response

Youve got to hand it to Volvo they dont give up easily. Many manufacturers have tried to make small estates sell in this country and to a man theyve failed. It seems British buyers never could get over the oxymoron that is a compact estate car. Volvo had tried before with the V40 and although they uncovered a chink of light with that car, it never really captured the imagination of the target market.

What was needed was something a lot smarter, with a keener design touch and a premium image. The V50 arrived in 2004 and answered that call.

Although those in the know could point to the fact that underneath that ice-cool Swedish styling was the running gear of a Ford Focus, the V50 suddenly hit a nerve and started selling in decent numbers. The current car refreshes the look and feel without diverging too far from this hard-won recipe for success. Volvo has always rolled out a wide array of engines and now that theyre part of Fords Premier Auto Group, they have access to a dizzying array of powerplants. So it is that the V50 customer can choose from 1.

6 petrols and diesels, stepping up to the 125bhp 1.8 and 145bhp 2.0-litre petrols followed by a 2.0-litre 136bhp diesel.

Move a little further up the hierarchy and theres a a 180bhp five-cylinder D5 diesel thats now offered with a slick six-speed manual transmission. The range is finally topped off by another five, this time the T5. It now packs another 10bhp, lifting the total to 230bhp. One further option is the 1.

8-litre Flexifuel model which will run on renewable E85 Bioethanol as well as plain old unleaded. As youd expect, the V50 rides on the same basic chassis set up as its saloon counterpart, the S40, but it also shares the same underpinnings as other Ford group models like the Ford Focus and Mazda3. Thats not to say the S40 is simply a rebodied Focus. Although the underbody, subframes and suspension layouts are the same on all these models, theres vast scope for tuning of individual aspects, so all drive differently.

Get into a Ford Focus estate after driving the Volvo V50 and it will feel a little lighter, a little sharper and quite a lot cheaper with inferior noise insulation and less refined damping.

"the V50 now looks a bit prettier than before"

If youre comparing this car to a BMW or an Audi, then you shouldnt be disappointed. The V50's cabin has a real quality feel to it, both in materials and construction. It's also spacious and comfortable for four adults at least. What you wont get of course are 'big Volvo' levels of space in the back. Still, the rear seat bases fold up, allowing the seatbacks to be dropped to form a perfectly flat load bay which would be even better if the rear suspension didnt intrude into it. The bases themselves also form a bulkhead between the front seats and the load area. Styling nips and tweaks on the current cars include a reprofiled version of Volvos familiar chrome-framed egg-crate grille, clear lensed headlights, LED tail lights and a wider air intake to give the car some more presence.

The interior benefits from revised controls while the centre tunnel storage area features a smaller handbrake and a revised armrest for better driver comfort. The range opens at just over £16,000 with a choice of S, SE, SE Lux, R-Design Sport and R-Design SE Sport trim levels. Theres also an eco-friendly DRIVe version based on the 1.6-litre diesel variant.

The S and Sport models feature niceties like cruise control, steering wheel remote audio controls, a rear 12V socket and grocery bag holder. SE and SE Sport models offer a comprehensive package that includes a power driver seat with memory as standard. Yes, prices are a little higher than youd pay for a car that rides on much the same chassis, such as a Ford Focus or a Mazda3, but then they feel very different cars. Volvo has worked hard to endow the V50 with its own identity and has, by and large, succeeded.

Equipment levels are very strong to boot with some really high-end options available for the car. Dynaudio speakers are fitted to the Premium Sound system and theres a hard-drive based RTI road traffic and information system for the sat nav. A lot of thought has gone into the details. Even the remote key fob has auto open and auto close functions for all side windows and the sunroof.

Water Repellent Glass is fitted to the front side windows on SE models, offering better visibility at junctions. The biggest seller in the V50 range has traditionally been the 136bhp 2.0-litre diesel car and with good reason. Once youve swallowed the initial purchase price, its reassuringly inexpensive to run.

An average fuel consumption figure of 50.4mpg suggests a lawnmower. The appeal of this V50 is the way it combines a refreshingly brisk turn of pace with outstanding economy without feeling insubstantial in any way. Quality oozes from every pore.

True, if lighter weight componentry was used, Volvo could have maybe eked a couple of extra miles per gallon from the car and improved upon the already excellent 148g/km of carbon dioxide emissions but Volvo is a brand that campaigns under Fords Premier Auto Group so it has to look and feel the part. The only V50 to really generate a sharp intake of breath in terms of running costs is the range-topping T5 sports model. Drive the T5 hard and it will consume fuel at a determined rate, certainly nowhere near the 33mpg combined figure Volvo quote. Compensation is offered in the case of a CO2 emissions showing of 208g/km which makes it one of the cleanest cars in its class and also an insurance rating of Group 15.

If the T5 is impressive when cruising but less so when charging, why not save the expense and just opt for a lesser V50 model that may not have quite so much power but wont lack its poise in quite such a ready manner? Its an apposite question and its hard to find many justifications for the turbocharged T5. Perhaps its also a pointer as to why Volvo has quietly ditched the R range of high performance models. Despite the change in perception of Volvo as a quality brand, at present the public just dont buy a sporty car with a Volvo badge. Volvo has doggedly stuck with this semi-premium small estate niche and ground out a decent market for itself.

Campaigning below the proper compact executive hatches like the BMW 3 Series Touring or the Audi A4 Avant, but a notch or two above the mainstream Ford, Vauxhall and Peugeot fare, Volvos success with the V50 is attracting keen-eyed rivals looking to muscle in. Its a good job the latest V50 is as good as it is then. In truth, not a whole lot has changed but equipment levels have risen, the V50 now looks a bit prettier than before, quality feels as good as ever and price levels have been maintained, offering the customer a better deal. Some engines are better than others, with the diesels and the two-litre petrol being the pick of the range.

Expect to see the V50 continue to do well for a few years yet.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: Volvo V50 range
PRICES: £16,345-£25,095 on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 10-15
CO2 EMISSIONS: 118-227g/km
PERFORMANCE: [136bhp 2.0 diesel] Max Speed 130mph / 0-60mph 9.2s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [136bhp 2.0 diesel] (urban) 37.7mpg / (extra urban) 62.8mpg / (combined) 50.4mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and curtain airbags, WHIPS seats, side impact protection system
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 4468/1770/1452mm