why ads?

Popular at KBB.com

The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2011 Volvo V50

Please enter a valid mileage

Want to save money? Check out the 2010 Volvo V50

Overview

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. See your car's value

Buying this car?

2011 Volvo V50 Review

By KBB.com Editors

Those looking for a premium compact wagon have few choices. Add the word "affordable" to that sentence and the list may narrow to a single car, the 2011 Volvo V50 wagon. Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar have all abandoned the segment. That leaves the Audi A4 Avant and BMW 328i Sports Wagon as the 2011 Volvo V50's leading European competitors. Against such competitors, the Volvo V50 looks like a pretty darn good deal. With so few premium wagons on the market, the Volvo V50 might easily attract buyers. Then again, with the continuing rise of car-based compact crossovers (think Acura ZDX), the Volvo V50 may very well turn out to be among the last of a dying breed.

You'll Like This Car If...

If occupant safety ranks as your top priority, the 2011 Volvo V50 wagon won't disappoint. Those worried about soaring gas prices will love the V50's fuel efficient, yet potent turbocharged engine.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you need a wagon with a roomy rear seat, a V6 engine or all-wheel drive, the Volvo V50 will not satisfy your desires.

What's New for 2011

For 2011, the Volvo V50 no longer offers the naturally-aspirated 2.4-liter model or optional all-wheel drive. The 2011 Volvo V50 lineup now consists of two trims: The base V40 T5 and V50 R-Design.

Driving the V50

Driving Impressions One might think that sharing the same chassis and engine as the S40 Sedan would return a carbon copy ride. But, for whatever reason, the 2011 Volvo V50 feels more...

stable and buttoned down than its sedan sibling. Once the 227-horsepower engine enters its prime power band, acceleration is rapid and steady. The Volvo V50's front-wheel-drive layout coupled with electronic stability control ensure that winter's worst won't be too much of an obstacle. The Volvo V50 doesn't take kindly to rough-road surfaces, transmitting all manner of shake and jittering into the passenger compartment. The Volvo V50's handling, on the other hand, is decisive, proving nimble in urban settings and just plain fun on twisting back roads.

Favorite Features

10-Speaker Audio with Navigation
Volvo's premium sound system sounds and looks fantastic. From the floating center console that houses the radio controls, to the hidden navigation screen that rises up from the dash, the Volvo V50's Multimedia package is almost as exciting to watch as it is to hear.

Turbocharged Engine
Volvo's turbocharged engine does its job eagerly and effortlessly. It also runs quite happily on regular gas.

2011 Volvo V50 Details

Interior

The 2011 Volvo V50 is endowed with a simple, straightforward interior. The highlight of the Volvo V50's interior is its ultra-slim "floating" center console. T-Tec fabric seating is standard on the base V50 T5, while the V50 R-Design is fitted with vividly contrasting white-over-black leather inserts and R-Design logos. An all-black leather package is optional. Though roomy enough up front, the Volvo V50's rear seats will be a tight fit for average Americans. Cargo space totals 37.4 cubic feet with the rear seat up and 62.9 cubic feet with the 60/40 split-folding rear seat folded down.

Exterior

The Belgian-built 2011 Volvo V50 wears the brand's traditional design language. That means it now looks rather boxy and dated when compared to the stylish Volvo S60 sedan and Volvo XC60 crossover. Unlike a number of compact crossovers, it's easy to step in and out of the Volvo V50 and its roof is also easily accessible. Thin support pillars allow for lots of glass, which translates into good 360-degree visibility. The slab-sided Volvo V50 projects an image of stability and strength, while the rear-pillar mounted high taillights add a touch of exoticness to an otherwise cautious design.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2011 Volvo V50 T5 features a 2.5-liter, turbocharged, 5-cylinder engine that's mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. Other standards include remote keyless entry, auto-dimming rearview mirror, a power driver's seat with memory feature, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, rear wiper/washer and front and rear fog lamps. The standard audio system features an in-dash CD/MP3 player, USB and iPod interface and an auxiliary audio input jack. The T5 R-Design adds a power moonroof, power passenger seat, leather seating surfaces and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Many of the 2011 Volvo V50's most desirable options are bundled into packages. The Climate Package adds heated seats, headlamp washers, electronic climate control and rain-sensing wipers. The Preferred Package adds a power glass moonroof, power passenger seat and leather seats. The Multimedia package combines a premium 650-watt 10-speaker sound system with Volvo's navigation system featuring Real Time Traffic, a remote control and two map updates. Stand-alone options include full leather seating, rear booster cushions, Keyless Drive, rear park assist, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) and dual xenon headlamps with Active Bend Light. (The latter turns the headlamps in the direction the car is steered.)

Under the Hood

The Volvo V50's turbocharged 2.5-liter engine pumps out 227 horsepower, runs on regular gas and can go 30 miles on a single gallon of gasoline. The 5-cylinder transmits a bit vibration. The engine is coupled to a 5-speed Geartronic automatic transmission.

2.5-liter in-line-5 turbocharged
227 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
236 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/30

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Volvo V50 vehicles for sale near you.

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. See your car's value

Buying this car?

2011 Volvo V50 Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.5

Out of 10

Based on 78 Ratings for the 2005 - 2011 models.

Review this car

Value

8.4/10

Quality

8.8/10
Reliability

8.8/10

Performance

8.9/10
Comfort

8.9/10

Styling

9.0/10

Best car I have ever had.

By Beach Belle on Tuesday, February 26, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 147,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Do the maintenance and it is hassle free."

Cons: "No seat warmers. No reading for miles left in tank"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This car is comfortable, stylish and fits me to a T. The leather seats are awesome and the cargo area is amazing."

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

love my car!

By vovo on Monday, November 12, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 137,500

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "reliable, fun to drive, gets lots of compliments"

Cons: "not all wheel drive, needs more leg room in back."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Love my car, this is my second Volvo and I've only had minor repairs as well as the normal maintenance. I've been fortunate to have a wonderful and honest service writer,and back up garage to take it to. The car is less than 5 years old with almost 150,000miles on it but still handles like new. I plan to put at least another 150,000 miles on it."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

Bad to own

By Matt (MD) on Thursday, October 04, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 65,000

10 6.0

overall rating 6 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 6/10
Value: 5/10
Reliability: 7/10
Quality: 2/10
Performance: 6/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 7/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 2

"I have had problem with this car since begining: Ingnition switch at 40,000. Lower control arm at 55,000. amd many more. Volvo of North america says is normal. Never again Volvo."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

This is really the best car I've ever owned

By benito (NY) on Sunday, September 09, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 55,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 7/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "fun driving, economical, reliable"

Cons: "discontinued"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Turbo, 6speed manual, corners tight, no slipping/sliding in NEast winters & camping; The car also hauls camping gear & Costco shopping. Great in city & highway mileage. I love this car. Volvo discontinued it because... i have no idea. Every other maker is coming out w/ small wagons/SUV's (Mini's countryman, Tiguan, BMW x1...etc.), gas prices going up & Volvo is going with big guzzlers or sedans only."

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

good decision

By luv2drivv (TX) on Thursday, July 26, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 25,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 9/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"Solid in a crash. I would purchase it again if Volvo still made the V50. Turbo fun; wagon practical. I can zip around all over the place."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

6th and Last

By Volvo Lifer (FL) on Wednesday, July 04, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 137,000

10 4.0

overall rating 4 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 4/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 2/10
Quality: 2/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Great car for the first 70,000 miles"

Cons: "A mechanical disaster after 70,000 miles"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"I've owned 6 volvos since 1982, each purchased new. By far this has been my absolute favorite model...until it passed 75,000 miles. I don't know if the slump in the economy just had the dealers suddenly taking advantage of a woman, but every six months I was spending $2,000 on repairs. Discoverd one dealer whom I had purchased three other volvos from removing tire lock key from glove box and then telling me he couldn't get a replacement key so I could only get my tires from him. Next dealer tried to sell me the same rear axle job the first dealer sold me. When I told the third dealer I had already had a 80,000 mile service, he told me I was mistaken and charged me $400. When I went home and went through all my bills throughly I discovered it had been done and he refunded my money. Switched to non dealer mechanic and things have been fine for an additional 25,000 miles but now both the transmission and rear end are a mess. This for a car that went into the dealers for EVERY service. Too bad, loved the car, but it is just a mechnical mess. Looks like Volvo has lost a lifetime customer."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

See all 78 reviews