Review of the new Volvo V50 Range

You've got to hand it to Volvo - they don't give up easily. Many manufacturers have tried to make small estates sell in this country and to a man they've 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 to accompany the V50. So it is that customers can choose from 1.6 petrols and diesels, 2.0-litre petrols and diesels or the 2.5-litre turbo petrol unit in the T5. These days, the diesel engines are branded according to their power outputs. The economical DRIVe model has 108bhp and the D2 uses the same 1.6-litre engine but with 113bhp. Above that are the 2.0-litre five-cylinder D3 and D4 diesels with 148 and 175bhp respectively.

".the V50 now looks a bit prettier than before."

If you're comparing this car to a BMW or an Audi, then you shouldn't 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 won't 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 didn't 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 Volvo's 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 ES, SE, SE Lux, R-Design and Premium trim levels. The ES model features 16-inch alloy wheels, a CD stereo, a height adjustable steering wheel, dynamic stability control and electronic climate control. The SE model adds 17-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, power folding mirrors and front fog lights. If you want to go further, the ritzier R-Design, SE Lux and Premium derivatives really pile on the equipment.

Yes, prices are a little higher than you'd pay for other compact estate of similar size, such as a Ford Focus or Peugeot 308 SW, 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 there's 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 sellers in the V50 range have traditionally been the 2.0-litre diesel cars and with good reason. Once you've swallowed the initial purchase price, they are reassuringly inexpensive to run and respectably quick. An average fuel consumption figure of 55mpg for the D3 model 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.

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 31mpg combined figure Volvo quote. 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 won't lack its poise in quite such a ready manner? It's an apposite question and it's hard to find many justifications for the turbocharged T5. Perhaps it's also a pointer as to why Volvo 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 don't 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, Volvo's success with the V50 is attracting keen-eyed rivals looking to muscle in. It's 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, there are stronger engines, 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 being the pick of the range. Expect to see the V50 continue to do well for a few years yet.

TOP 5 V50 DEALS

The results below show the top V50 deals on buyacar

Volvo V50 DRIVe [115] SE Edition 5dr Diesel Sportswagon
Price £21,328 Read V50 Reviews	Save £2,417
Volvo V50 D2 [115] ES 5dr Diesel Sportswagon
Price £19,568 Read V50 Reviews	Save £2,177
Volvo V50 DRIVe [115] ES 5dr Diesel Sportswagon
Price £20,008 Read V50 Reviews	Save £2,237
Volvo V50 DRIVe [115] SE Lux Edition 5dr Diesel Sportswagon
Price £22,208 Read V50 Reviews	Save £2,537
Volvo V50 D2 [115] R DESIGN Edition 5dr Diesel Sportswagon
Price £21,328 Read V50 Reviews	Save £2,417
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